The European Union (EU) State aid rules have received much attention recently in the context of the tax probes into Apple, Google and other multinationals. They are as old as the European Union but typically stand in the shadow of the other competition rules that apply directly to companies. Nonetheless, and leaving aside the major cases, the unique EU State aid rules impact every business dealing with a Member State of the EU – be it as an investor, a taxpayer, a licensee, the private partner in a public-private partnership or as a supplier, customer or competitor of a State-owned entity.
In our document, we capture the basic concepts and key implications for day-to-day business, including:
- The motivation behind the State Aid Rules.
- What amount to State Aid?
- The State as a commercial player.
- Is State Aid, per se, illegal?
- What are the EU Commission’s enforcement powers?
- When does State Aid Law become relevant in the normal course of business?
Continue reading here.
Five Minutes On… is an informational series designed for companies interested in doing business in Europe, providing counsel an overview of a complex topic in a format that allows rapid assimilation. See here for additional editions.
