State aid: Commission approves €130 million Greek scheme to support micro and small enterprises in the context of the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €130 million Greek scheme to support micro and small enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Greek government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. The measure will be open to companies active in all sectors (except the financial and the primary agricultural production ones), which experienced business disruption in April 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants and will consist of a fixed amount of minimum €500 and maximum € 4,000, depending on the number of employees and the region of location. The Commission found that the Greek measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed € 270,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector and €1.8 million per company active in all other sectors; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 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.63212 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.