On Monday 25 November, the European Commission recorded Greece’s acceptance of appropriate measures to bring the existing Greek tonnage tax scheme and related measures in compliance with State aid rules. The measures were introduced by Greece to support the maritime transport sector.
EU State aid rules set out common rules on how Member States can support shipping companies without unduly distorting competition.
In December 2015, the European Commission sent a series of proposals to Greece to ensure that State aid to the country’s maritime sector complied with EU rules.
The Commission was concerned that the Greek tonnage tax scheme was not sufficiently targeted in terms of scope and beneficiaries. The Commission subsequently amended the December 2015 proposal with regard to certain tax benefits relating to dividends and capital gains of shipping companies and no longer considered it expedient to propose appropriate measures pertaining to the inheritance tax exemption. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)