Can Member States give companies small amounts of aid without having any state aid concerns?
Member States can always rely on the possibilities offered by the de minimis Regulation[1] (see IP/06/1765 and MEMO/06/482) and give aid of up to €200 000 per company, independently of its size, i.e. irrespective of whether it is an SME or a large company, for a period of three years. If the conditions of this regulation are met, such support does not constitute State aid and therefore Member States are free to award it without entering into any administrative procedure, i.e. without having to notify it to the Commission.
