THE UGLY SISTER OR THE CINDERELLA: REMARKS ON THE NEW 'DE MINIMIS' AID REGIME
THE UGLY SISTER OR THE CINDERELLA: REMARKS ON THE NEW 'DE MINIMIS' AID REGIME

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the recently modernised de minimis aid regime in EU State aid law, with some reference to Polish law. It highlights how the regime enables swift, decentralised public support for undertakings, particularly SMEs, while maintaining safeguards against competitive distortions. Against this background, the modernised framework introduces several notable changes, including increased financial ceilings and strengthened transparency obligations, which enhance its practical applicability. At the same time, despite its relative complexity, de minimis aid remains widely used and valued by Member States for preserving regulatory autonomy and facilitating small-scale public support. The analysis shows that the regime, often overlooked in broader State aid debates, functions as a relatively important tool, effectively balancing administrative efficiency with competition control. Nevertheless, its practical simplicity and broad application coexist with certain limitations and regulatory trade-offs, reflecting the ambivalent position of de minimis aid within EU State aid governance.

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