The European Commission has found six Dutch schemes and the amendment of one scheme to support companies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic to be in line with the state aid Temporary Framework, as last amended on 18 November 2021. The six schemes are a re-introduction of measure already approved by the Commission (SA.56914 approved on 22 April 2020, SA.61360 approved on 9 February 2021, SA.62816 approved on 31 May 2021, SA.57397 approved on 27 May 2020, SA.57850 approved on 8 July 2020 and SA.62556 approved on 30 April 2021).
The original schemes, as amended, expired on 31 December 2021. The Netherlands notified the re-introduction of the schemes until 30 June 2022 with the following amendments, namely: (i) the maximum aid amounts per beneficiary for schemes SA.57397 (amended by SA.59925 and SA.62944), SA.57850 (amended by SA.59925 and SA.62129) and SA.62556 are increased to €290,000 per company active in the primary production of agricultural products and €2.3 million per company active in all other eligible sectors; (ii) and the maximum aid amount per beneficiary for scheme SA.61360 is increased to €12m.
Furthermore, the Netherland notified an amendment to the budget of scheme SA.57712 (as amended by SA.59535, SA.60166, SA.62241, SA.63257, SA.63984 and SA.100829), which is increased by €475m, bringing the total budget for the measure to about €2.37 billion. The Commission concluded that the schemes, as modified, remain 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 notified changes 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.101235 in the state aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
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