State aid: Commission approves €10.2 million Cypriot scheme to support self-employed and enterprises affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €10.2 million Cypriot scheme to support self-employed and enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants intended to cover part of the beneficiaries operating costs. The scheme consists of two measures. The first measure applies to self-employed and enterprises whose operations have been fully suspended since 16 March 2020 because of the restrictive measures imposed by the Cypriot government to limit the spread of the virus. The amount of the grants will be calculated based on staff headcount, up to a maximum of €15,000. The second measure applies to self-employed and enterprises either whose operations have been suspended since November 2020 because of the restrictive measures, or whose monthly turnover decreased by 80% or more in one given month in 2020, compared to the same month in 2019. The amount of this one-off grant is based on staff headcount, with aid ranging from €500 for beneficiaries with one staff member to €3,000 for beneficiaries with 50 employees or more. The aim of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activity during and after the outbreak. The Commission found that the Cypriot scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €225 000 per company active in the primary production of agricultural products, €270 000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector, and €1 800 000 per company active in all other sectors; and (ii) the aid will be granted before 30 June 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure 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. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other 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.60274 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.