E.U. competition law considers that subsidies are unlawful when they affect texchange between member states
of the European Union or when they distort competition by favoring certain companies or productions (art. 87 and
88(3) of the EC Treaty). However, some subsidies which do not exceed a certain amount, can be granted by
member states without announcement or prior authorization from the European Commission. These subsidies are
called “de minimis” (article 89 of the EC Treaty). De minimis support can be provided by a member state to a
company because the amounts are minor. The maximum amount is 200,000 euros (100,000 euros for road
transport companies) over a three fiscal year period. In the transport sector, de minimis support cannot be used for