MEMO/07/71
Brussels, 21st February 2007
State Aid: Commission Guidelines on National
Regional Aid for 2007-2013, Belgium and Denmark –
frequently asked questions
The European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules the
regional aid maps covering the period 2007-2013 for Belgium and Denmark
(see IP/07/211). These regional aid maps are approved by the Commission
under the Regional Aid Guidelines for 2007-2013 (see IP/05/1653 and
MEMO/05/491).
What is regional aid?
Regional aid is defined in Article 87(3)(a) and (c) of the EC Treaty as state aid
granted by Member States to promote the economic development of certain
disadvantaged areas within the EU. It consists mostly in investment aid to large
companies, targeted on specific regions in order to redress regional disparities.
What is a regional aid map?
A regional aid map defines the regions of a Member State which are eligible for
regional aid and establishes the maximum permitted levels of such aid in the eligible
regions. These regions are known as “assisted regions”. The adoption of a regional
aid map is a pre-condition for a Member State to grant regional aid. Those maps
which have been designed for the period 1999-2006 expired on 31/12/2006. Member
States have to notify their new maps, based on the new regional aid guidelines
adopted in December 2005, to the Commission with a view to the new planning
period 2007-2013.
What is the proportion of assisted areas in the EU?
In the light of the exceptional character of state aid, there must be substantially less
assisted regions in the EU than there are unassisted regions. Moreover, given the
European Council’s repeated calls for less state aid and the widely shared concerns
about the distortive effects of investment aid for large companies, in December 2005
the Commission has fixed the overall population coverage to 42% of the then 25
Member States’ total population.
What are the criteria for qualifying as assisted area?
Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty provides that aid to promote the economic
development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there
is serious underemployment may be considered compatible with the Single Market.
This derogation concerns only areas, where the economic situation is extremely
unfavourable in relation to the EU as a whole, that is, according to the regional aid
guidelines, mainly regions with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of less
than 75% of the EU average and the EU’s outermost regions. In addition, for regions
whose GDP per capita exceeds 75% of the EU average only since the 2004
enlargement, a transitional period is foreseen until end 2010.
Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty is wider in scope and allows regional development
aid, provided it does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to
the common interest. This derogation concerns areas which are disadvantaged in
relation to the national average. As the regional handicap of these areas is smaller,
both the geographic scope of the exception and the aid intensity allowed are lower
than for regions targeted by Art. 87(3)(a). To determine the scope, the Commission
assigns a population ceiling to each Member State, taking into account, among
others, population density, unemployment and GDP per capita. Within this ceiling,
the Member States then select their eligible regions according to objective criteria set
out in the regional aid guidelines. These include GDP per capita, population density,
geographical situation, etc.
2
Belgium
The following table sets out the regional state aid map for Belgium:
Belgium - National regional state aid map 1.1.2007-31.12.2013
NUTS
Ceiling for regional
investment aid1
(applicable to large
enterprises)
Name
II - III
1.1.2007-31.12.2013
1. Regions eligible for aid under Article 87(3) (a) of the EC Treaty until
31.12.20102 (Statistical effect regions)
BE32
Hainaut
1.1.200731.12.2010
1.1.201131.12.2013
30%
20%
2. Regions eligible for aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty for the whole
period 2007-2013
BE2-1
West-Vlaamse cluster (the communes of)
15%(*)
Diksmuide, Lo-Reninge, Ieper, Middelkerke, Oostende
BE2-2
Wervik
15%(*)
BE2-3
Ronse
15%(*)
BE2-4
Tongeren/Herstappe
15%(*)
Herstappe, Tongeren
BE2-5
Limburgse-cluster (the communes of)
15%(*)
Bree, Lommel, Maaseik, Hechtel-Eksel, Helchteren, Dilsen-Stokkem, Lanaken,
Maasmechelen
BE2-5
Limburgse-cluster (the communes of)
10%(*)
As, Beringen, Genk, Leopoldsburg, Heusden-Zolder
BE2-6
Kempense cluster (the communes of)
10%(*)
Balen, Dessel, Mol
BE3-1
1
(*)
2
Bassin liégeois (the communes of)
15%
For investment projects with eligible expenditure not exceeding €50 million, with the
exception of the eligible zones in the Flemish Region marked with (*), this ceiling is
increased by 10 percentage points for medium sized companies and 20 percentage
points for small companies as defined in the Commission Recommendation of 6
May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
(OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36). For large investment projects with eligible expenditure
exceeding €50 million, this ceiling is subject to adjustment in accordance with
paragraph 67 of the Guidelines on national regional aid for 2007-2013.
As far as the eligible zones in the Flemish Region are concerned, the aid intensities
shown are those applicable to all enterprises irrespective of their size.
This region might remain eligible under Article 87(3)(a), in which case the ceiling for
the period 1.1.2011-31.12.2013 will be increased to 30%, if a review to be
undertaken in 2010 shows that the GDP per capita of the region concerned has
fallen below 75% of the EU-25 average.
3
Engis, Awans, Flémalle, Grâce–Hollogne, Herstal, Liège, Oupeye, Saint-Nicolas,
Seraing, Visé
BE3-2
Verviers-Dison
15%
Dison, Verviers
15%(3)
BE3-3
Tubize
BE3-4
Sambreville
15%
BE3-5
Ardenne (the communes of)
15%
Bastogne, Bertogne, Vielsalm, La-Roche-en-Ardenne, Marche-en-Famenne, Libin,
Libramont-Chevigny, Neufchâteau, Tellin, Dinant, Houyet, Rochefort, Somme-Leuze
3. Regions eligible for aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty for the whole
period 2007-2013 for higher rates of SME aid only, with a basic aid intensity of
15%
Région de Bruxelles-Capitale / Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
BE10
(only the indicated parts of the following communes)
Anderlecht (Ceria-Zone d'Habitat, Petite Ile-Rive Droite, Ceria I, Birmingham, RoseeEst, Rosee-Ouest, Abattoir, Conseil-Nord, Brogniez-Nord, Brogniez-Sud, ConseilSud, Revision-Sud, Revision-Nord, Albert I-Immeubles, Albert I-Quartier, Goujons,
Deux Gares)
Bruxelles/Brussel (Quai des Usines-Monnoyer, Haren-Sud-Ouest, Haren-Sud,
Haren-Est, Gare de Formation, Marly-Sud, rue des Faines, rue du Wimpelberg,
Trassersweg-Neder-Heembeek, Neder-Heembeek-Nord, Marly-Nord, Saint-François
Xavier, Bon Secours – Palais du Midi, Notre-Dame de la Chapelle, Anneessens
(Place), Senne (rue de la), Nouveau Marché au Grain, Marché au Porcs, CongrèsGare, Blaes (rue)-Sud, Blaes (rue)-Centre, Saint-Thomas (Institut), rue des
Commerçants, E. Jacqmain (Boulevard)-Ouest, Parvis Saint-Roch, Anvers
(Chaussée d')-Sud, Anvers (Chaussée d')-Nord, Allée Verte-Bassin Vergote, Masui
(Place)-Nord, Quai de Willebroeck, Tour et Taxis)
Evere (Gare de Formation, Carli, Bon Pasteur, Kerkhoek, Zone industrielle, J. Bordet
(Avenue de), Oasis-Provence-Languedoc, Germinal I)
Forest/Vorst (Bollinckx, Bempt, Charroi (rue de), Pont de Luttre-Ouest, SaintAntoine)
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean/Sint-Jans-Molenbeek (Centre, Canal-Sud, Brunfaut
(Quartier), Ransfort, Quatre Vents, Saint-Joseph, Duchesse de Brabant, Industrie,
Birmingham-Sud, Birmingham-Nord, Independance, Etangs Noirs, Gare Ouest,
Marie-José Blocs, Chemin de Fer, Laekenveld, Mexico, Dubrucq-Nord, Ulens, Piers,
Lavallée, Canal-Nord)
Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis (Guillaume Tell-Sud, Dethy (rue), Angleterre (rue d'), Regies,
Roi (Avenue du), Denmark (rue de), Gare du Midi, Crickx (rue), Jamar, France (rue
de))
Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode/Sint-Joost-Ten-Noode (Saint-François, Saint-Lazare,
Rogier, Prairie, Jardin Botanique, Nord, Manhattan)
Schaerbeek/Schaarbeek (Josaphat Gare, Houffalize (Place), L'Olivier (rue), Royale
Sainte-Marie (rue), Brabant (rue de), Vanderlinden (rue), Palais (rue de), Gare du
Nord, Reine (Avenue), Stephenson (Place), Brichaut (rue de))
Uccle/Ukkel (Zwartebeek)
3
until 31/12/2010 only
4
What are the changes for Belgium compared with the period 20002006?
In the period 2000-2006, 30.9% of the Belgian population lived in assisted areas in
87(3)(c) regions. The aid intensities varied in the range from 10% to 20%.
For the period 2007-2013, the proportion of Belgium's population living in areas
eligible for national regional aid is reduced by 5 percentage points. The total
coverage for the period 2007-2013 is 25.9%, of which 12.4% under statistical effect
regions and 13.5% under Article 87(3)(c).
The maximal aid intensities change:
- for Hainaut there is an increase in aid intensity for the period 2007-2010 from
20% to 30% as this region now qualifies as a statistical effect region,
- for the 87(3)(c) regions from 20%-10% to 15%-10%.
Denmark
The following table sets out the regional state aid map for Denmark:
DENMARK - National regional state aid map 1.1.2007-31.12.2013
Ceiling for regional investment
aid41
(NUTS ΙΙ REGION)
(NUTS IΙΙ REGION)
(Applicable to large enterprises)
1. Regions eligible for aid under Article 87(3) (c) of the EC Treaty for the whole
period 2007-2013
Læsø Kommune
Ærø Kommune
10%
Langeland Kommune
10%
Lollands Kommune
15%
Samsø Kommune
10%
Bornholms Regionskommune
10%
Frederikshavn Kommune
10%
Tønder Kommune
10%
Morsø Kommune
10%
Guldborgsund Kommune
15%
10%
2. Islands eligible for aid under Article 87(3) (c) of the EC Treaty for the whole
period 2007-2013
4
For investment projects with eligible expenditure not exceeding €50 million, this ceiling is
increased by 10 percentage points for medium sized companies and 20 percentage
points for small companies as defined in the Commission Recommendation of 6 May
2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (OJ L 124,
20.5.2003, p. 36). For large investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding EUR
50 million, this ceiling is subject to adjustment in accordance with paragraph 67 of the
Guidelines on national regional aid for 2007-2013.
5
Årø
Agersø
Avernakø
Bågø
Barsø
Bjørnø
Drejø
Egholm
Endelave
Fur
Hjarnø
Hjortø
Lyø
Mandø
Nekselø
Omø
Orø
Sejerø
Skarø
Tunø
Venø
10%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
15%
15%
15%
15%
10%
10%
10%
3. Regions eligible for aid under Article 87(3) (c) of the EC Treaty for the whole
period 2007-2013 for higher rates of SME aid only
Basic aid ceiling5
Norddjurs Kommune
Tønder Kommune
Vesthimmerlands Kommune
10%
10%
10%
4. Regions eligible for transitional coverage under Article 87(3) (c) of the EC Treaty
for the period 1.1.2007-1.12.2008 at an aid ceiling of 10%
Svendborg Kommune6
Brønderslev-Dronninglund Kommune
Thisted Kommune
5
6
This ceiling is increased by 10 percentage points for medium sized companies and 20
percentage points for small companies as defined in the Commission Recommendation
of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
(OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36). No aid may be awarded for investment projects with eligible
expenditure exceeding EUR 25 million.
Municipality of Svendborg not including the islands of Drejø, Skarø and Hjortø, which are
assisted areas for the whole period of 2007-2013.
6
What are the changes for Denmark compared with the period 20002006?
In the period 2000-2006, 17.1% of the Danish population lived in assisted areas
under Article 87(3)(c). The aid ceilings varied in the range from 10% to 15%.
For the period 2007-2013, the proportion of Denmark's population living in areas
eligible for national regional aid is halved (a reduction of 8.5 percentage points). The
total coverage for the period 2007-2013 is 8.6% under Article 87(3)(c) and the aid
ceilings remain at 10% and 15%.
For the period 2007-2008, Denmark has a transitional additional coverage of 2.7% of
its population at an aid ceiling of 10%.
7