State aid: Commission approves amended Danish support for companies affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, amended Danish support for companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This follows a Danish scheme that the Commission approved in July under case number SA. 57930. The additional support consists in the following: (i) a new scheme with an estimated budget of DKK 600 million (approximately €80 million) for the provision of limited amounts of aid to suppliers of companies prohibited from operating and suppliers of private events cancelled due to governmental restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The support, which will take the form of direct grants, is intended to cover the liquidity shortages of the beneficiaries in the period from 1 September 2020 until 31 January 2021; (ii) the prolongation until January 2021 of the scheme approved in July, as well as an increase in budget of DKK 1 billion (approximately €142 million). The Commission found that the new scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework, in particular the aid per company will not exceed €800,000.  The Commission found that this scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework.  The Commission also found that the modifications of the scheme approved in July are in line with Article 107(2)(b) TFEU. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on the actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.59091 and SA.59055 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.