On Tuesday 9 March, the European Commission authorised a French scheme to support the uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic, under the state aid temporary framework in the EU.
According to Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European institution responsible for competition, this aid of €2 billion euros will enable France to help companies to “cover the fixed costs that are not covered by their revenues”.
The scheme will be open to all companies, irrespective of their size and sector of activity (with the exception of the financial sector).
Public support will take the form of direct subsidies, for companies that have suffered, between January 2021 and November 2021, a monthly decrease in turnover of at least 30% compared to the corresponding period prior to the pandemic (January 2019 – November 2019).
The amount of aid that each beneficiary may receive will be calculated on the basis of the gross operating surplus, a figure included in the monthly accounts of a company that reflects its uncovered fixed costs. Beneficiaries will receive 70% (90% in the case of micro and small enterprises) of their fixed costs that are not covered by revenues, with a ceiling of €10 million per enterprise. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)