The European Commission has approved modifications of two existing Croatian schemes to support companies in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The amendments were approved under the
State Aid
Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on
20 July 2022, among other things, to increase the limited amounts of aid to companies affected by the current
crisis or by the subsequent sanctions and countersanctions. The two existing schemes are: (i) an up to €500 million measure to support companies across sectors that the Commission approved on
7 July 2022 (
SA.103003) and (ii) an approximately €414 million measure to support the liquidity of exporting companies
that the Commission approved on
4 July 2022 (
SA.103167). Croatia notified to the Commission of its intention to increase the maximum thresholds for
limited amounts of aid under the existing schemes. In particular, the maximum amount of aid will be increased to: (i) €62,000 per company active in the agriculture sector; (ii) €75,000 per company
active in fisheries and aquaculture sectors; and (iii) €500,000 per company active in all other sectors. Croatia also notified amendments aimed at clarifying (i) the use of grace periods for
interest payments; and (ii) the method of calculation of the maximum loan amount for newly established companies. The Commission found that the Croatian schemes, as amended, 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 Crisis Framework as
amended on 20 July 2022. On this basis, the Commission approved the amendments under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission
to address the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be found
here. The non-confidential
version of the decision will be made available under the numbers SA.103919 and SA.103920 in the
State aid register on the Commission’s
competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
