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Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI)

SGEI package 

Following a public consultation and a thorough revision process, the Commission adopted the first three texts of the new SGEI package on 20 December 2011 in order to define the conditions under which State aid in the form of public service compensation can be considered compatible with the EU rules (Press release, Frequently asked questions).

On 25 April 2012 the Commission adopted, as the final pillar of the package, the de minimis Regulation for the field of SGEI (Press release).

Read more about the package:

The Communication clarifies key concepts related to State aid for SGEIs, while the Decision and the Framework specify the conditions under which State aid in the form of public service compensation is compatible with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The de minimis Regulation establishes a threshold below which compensation is deemed no aid. The Decision and Framework are applicable from 31 January 2012. The de minimis Regulation will enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

SGEI Guide

Guide to the application of the European Union rules on state aid, public procurement and the internal market to services of general economic interest, and in particular to social services of general interest 29.4.2013 SWD(2013) 53 final/2

Targeted revision of the SGEI rules for affordable housing

The European Commission has adopted revised SGEI Decision (add link) offering Member States an option to support affordable housing in a faster and simpler way. This initiative contributes to the Commission’s efforts to address European citizens' housing needs and constitutes one component of the European Affordable Housing Plan. The revision of the SGEI rules aims to address challenges related to housing affordability that go beyond social housing. To that end, the updated State aid rules facilitate investments in affordable housing at national, regional and local level. Moreover, in relation to the SGEI evaluation, the revision also aims to simplify, update and clarify several elements in the SGEI Decision.

The revised SGEI Decision results from a public consultation and a Call for evidence held in June and July 2025 and a second public consultation in October 2025. In total, the Commission received more than 400 replies from public authorities, organisations, and citizens. 

This revision also benefits from different meetings with stakeholders and Member States such as a “reality check” meeting and an Implementation Dialogue where the Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera exchanged with stakeholders and Member States who gave input on real-life situations and the main obstacles to implementing State aid rules in the housing sector. 

More information on this revision and on affordable housing:  

Member States reports on the application of the SGEI decision