On Monday 26 April, the European Commission authorised a Czech public aid scheme of €1.9 billion to support the uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was authorised under the EU’s temporary framework on state aid.
The support scheme will be open to all companies of all sizes and active in all sectors, except the financial sector. The public support will compensate part of the uncovered fixed costs incurred by the beneficiaries in a period between March 2020 and December 2021 and will take the form of direct grants. The companies will be entitled to receive support amounting to a maximum of 70% of their fixed costs (up to 90% of their fixed costs if they are micro or small enterprises).
The Commission found that the Czech scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. The aid will consequently: - not exceed €10 million per company; - cover the uncovered fixed costs incurred during a period between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2021; - be granted to undertakings that suffer a decline in turnover during the eligible period of at least 30% compared to the correspondent period prior to the coronavirus outbreak; - be granted no later than 31 December 2021. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)