State aid: 2021 Scoreboard shows that COVID-19 State aid measures allowed for unprecedented levels of support while preserving the level-playing field

The 2021 State Aid Scoreboard, published today by the European Commission and relating to State aid expenditure in 2020, shows the crucial role of State Aid policy in preserving a fair Single Market while at the same time allowing Member States to support companies in times of acute and unforeseen crisis. In 2020, Member States granted €384.33 billion under State aid measures for all objectives, of which €227.97 billion helped businesses seriously affected by the coronavirus pandemic to remain viable. The 2021 State Aid Scoreboard comprises aid expenditure made by the 27 EU Member States and the UK in 2020. In particular it shows that, in 2020, Member States and the UK spent €384.33 billion, about 2.43% of their combined 2020 GDP, on State aid for all objectives, excluding aid to railways and Services of General Economic Interest (‘SGEI’). While the total expenditure for COVID-19 measures reached €227.97 billion (about 59% of the total State aid spending), public support for other measures not related to the coronavirus pandemic hit €156.36 billion (about 41% of the total spending). Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The State Aid Scoreboard for expenditure in 2020 published today points to unprecedented levels of public support to ensure businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could stay afloat. It also shows that the temporary measures adopted were proportionate and necessary, matching the economic damage suffered during the crisis. In addition, very importantly, it shows that State aid expenditure for non-crisis objectives has remained within the pre-pandemic existing ranges. It confirms the crucial role of State aid policy as the cornerstone of a fair Single Market”.