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Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework

On 2 May 2024, the Commission amended the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework in light of the specific situation of undertakings active in the primary production of agricultural products as well as in the fishery and aquaculture sectors, and following the feedback received from Member States to a consultation of 11 April 2024. The Commission adopted a limited prolongation of the provisions enabling Member States to continue to grant limited amounts of aid (section 2.1 of the Framework) until 31 December 2024 for undertakings in these sectors. The phase-out by 30 June 2024 of section 2.1 of the Framework for undertakings in all other sectors is unaffected by this change, and the other sections of the Framework remain unchanged.

On 20 November 2023, the Commission amended the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (Official Journal C, C/2023/1188) in light of the economic situation and the feedback received from Member States to a consultation of 6 November 2023. The Commission adopted a limited prolongation of the provisions enabling Member States to continue to grant limited amounts of aid, together with a proportionate increase in the aid ceilings to cover the winter heating period (section 2.1 of the Framework), and aid to compensate for high energy prices (section 2.4 of the Framework) until 30 June 2024. The other sections of the Framework remain unchanged: sections 2.2, 2.3 and 2.7 are being phased out on 31 December 2023, and sections 2.5, 2.6 and 2.8 remain in force until the end of 2025.

The Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework applicable as of 9 March 2023

On 23 March 2022, the European Commission adopted a Temporary Crisis Framework to enable Member States to support the economy in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Temporary Crisis Framework complements the existing State aid toolbox with many other possibilities already available to Member States, such as measures providing compensation to companies for damages directly suffered due to exceptional circumstances, and measures outlined in the Commission Communications on energy market developments (REPowerEU Communication).

On 20 July 2022, the Commission adopted a first amendment of the Temporary Crisis Framework to complement the Winter Preparedness Package and in line with the REPowerEU Plan objectives. Thus, the Commission prolonged the duration of the framework until 31 December 2022 and included two new sections allowing Member States to grant temporary support to facilitate the roll-out of renewable energy, storage and renewable heat and the decarbonisation of the industrial production processes. An informal consolidated version of the Temporary Crisis Framework was also published.

On 28 October 2022, the Commission prolonged and amended the Temporary Crisis Framework in view of the continued aggression by Russia against Ukraine and the feedback received from Member States to a survey and targeted consultations of 5 October 2022 and of 25 October 2022. The amendment also took into account the Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices (‘Regulation (EU) 2022/1854') and the Commission's proposal on a new emergency regulation to address high gas prices in the EU and ensure security of supply this winter. The Commission applied the provisions of the Temporary Crisis Framework as adopted on 28 October 2022 to all measures notified as of 28 October 2022, as well as to measures notified prior to that date. The Communication of 28 October 2022 replaced the Temporary Crisis Framework adopted on 23 March 2022 as amended on 20 July 2022 (‘previous Temporary Crisis Framework’). This previous Temporary Crisis Framework was withdrawn with effect from 27 October 2022.

On 9 March 2023, the Commission adopted the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework to foster support measures in sectors which are key for the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

  • Until 31 December 2023, the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework enables Member States to cushion the economic impact of Russia’s aggression of Ukraine and to (i) grant limited amounts of aid to companies affected by the current crisis; (ii) ensure that sufficient liquidity remains available to businesses; (iii) compensate companies for the additional costs incurred due to exceptionally high gas and electricity prices; and (iv) incentivise additional reduction of electricity consumption. Until 31 December 2025, Member States may grant aid to foster the transition to a net-zero economy. Thus, aid may be granted to (i) accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy, storage and renewable heat relevant for REPowerEU and (ii) decarbonise industrial production processes. In addition, Member States may also grant aid to accelerate investments in key sectors for the transition towards a net-zero economy, enabling investment support for the manufacturing of strategic equipment, namely batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers and carbon capture usage and storage as well as for production of key components and for production and recycling of related critical raw materials.
  • The Commission applies the provisions of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework as adopted on 9 March 2023 to all measures notified as of 9 March 2023, as well as to measures notified prior to that date. The Communication of 9 March 2023 replaces the Temporary Crisis Framework adopted on 28 October 2022.
  • Remarks by Executive Vice-President Vestager on the proposal for a State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework
  • Speech by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager in the State aid High Level Forum of Member States
  • Overview of support options under section 2.4 of the Temporary Crisis Framework
  • Commission case practice under point 61c and 64c of the Temporary Crisis Framework
  • (OLD) Guidance on block-notifications of amendments under the Temporary Crisis Framework
  • 19 JULY 2024
State aid TCTF and TCF decisions

DG Competition has set-up a dedicated mailbox, COMP-TCFatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (COMP-TCF[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) to assist Member States with any queries they have or measures they would like to discuss on the Temporary Crisis Framework.