State aid: Commission approves €170 million Finnish scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €170 million Finnish scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak and by the restrictive measures that the Finnish government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The aid was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework and will take the form of direct grants. The beneficiaries must have suffered a turnover decline from 1 March 2021 until 31 May 2021, including parts of that period (‘eligible period’), of at least 30 % compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The beneficiaries will be entitled to receive support amounting to a maximum of 70% of their uncovered fixed costs incurred in the eligible period. The scheme is open to all sectors except the financial sector and with the exclusion of companies active in the primary agricultural production, fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The Commission found that the Finnish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed  €10 million per company, 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.63205 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website.