Redefining EU State Aid Policy

This book explores the evolving role of EU State aid in an era defined by recurring crises and rapid policy shifts.

Once a tool narrowly focused on correcting market failures, State aid now drives industrial strategy and resilience across the European Union. The book examines key developments in CJEU jurisprudence and European Commission practice, including the application of the Market Economy Investor Principle and the Altmark test. It analyses how State aid has responded to major challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the green transition, highlighting the impact of temporary frameworks and unprecedented regulatory flexibility.

Drawing on detailed case studies from selected Member States, it identifies trends in aid design, notification, and allocation, offering insights into how national strategies intersect with EU rules. With a focus on legal and policy innovation, the book provides a timely and authoritative account of State aid’s transformation.

Essential reading for academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students, this book delivers a comprehensive understanding of how EU State aid is adapting to a turbulent geopolitical and economic landscape.