State aid: Commission approves €264 million Polish scheme to support companies affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved an approximately € 264 million (PLN 1200 million) Polish scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of tax deferrals and tax-related liquidity measures (deferrals of interests, spreading the tax bill into instalments). It will be accessible to companies of all sectors (except the financial sector) that suffer a decrease of 25% of their turnover during the crisis. The aim of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of undertakings and to help them to continue their activities during and after the outbreak. The measure is expected to benefit approximately 300,000 companies. The Commission found that the Polish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid will be granted before 30 June 2021 and the end date for the deferral will not be after 31 December 2022. 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.57172 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.