The new regional aid map defines those regions and areas in Spain that are eligible to receive investment aid, establishing the maximum intensities to be received depending on the size of the company and its location. This approval is part of the Guidelines on Aid for Regional Purposes (DAR) that allow member states to identify those areas with lower GDP or more depopulated, in order to financially support the development of projects. In the case of Spain, the territory that can opt for these regional aids in accordance with the new approved map brings together 66.29% of the population. In the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (article 107), the identification of certain European regions is allowed according to two qualifications: “a”, which are less developed ultraperipheral regions, with a GDP per capita below 75% of the average of the European Union. “c”, which are regions of low population density or that in the past were classified as “a”. In the newly defined map, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Andalusia, City of Ceuta, City of Melilla and Canary Islands they are identified as the most disadvantaged or type “a” regions. In these territories, it is proposed to apply a maximum aid intensity of 30% for large companies, 40% for medium-sized companies and 50% for small ones throughout the period of validity of this map. In the case of the Canary Islands, as it is also an outermost region, this percentage increases by 20 percentage points.
Teruel and Soriaas they are areas with a very low population density (less than 12.5 inhabitants per km2), they will have a maximum aid intensity for investment over eligible cost of 20% for large companies, 30% for medium-sized companies, 40% for small ones.
Murcia enters zone “c” for the first time, so the percentage of aid for large companies will be 15% in the first half of the period (2022-2024) and 20% in the second part (2025-2027). These percentages will be 25 and 30% for medium-sized companies, and 35 and 40% for small companies.
Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja, Valencian Community, Balearic Islands and Huesca (on a global basis) and Castile and Leon, Zaragoza, Madrid, Catalonia, Navarre and the Basque Country (limited to certain areas) have been designated as “c” zones with a maximum aid intensity of 15% for large companies, 25% for medium-sized companies and 35% for small companies. In specific areas of Castilla y León, Salamanca and Zamora, these intensities increased by 10 and 5 percentage points, respectively. Although this map of regional aid will be in force until December 31, 2027, the possibility of modification is contemplated throughout the period when the Regulation on the Just Transition Fund comes into force, which contemplates areas affected by the closure of thermal power plants or or by a pressing lack of employment or economic development. The municipalities identified as such in Spain are located in Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Basque Country, Castilla y León and Galicia and a future increase in the aid percentages established in the recently approved map is expected. European regulations on this matter are extensive and complex, which is why at Globalcaja we offer you our Public Aid Technical Office, a high value-added service with which we seek to help companies throughout the entire process of identification, application, preparation of the file and subsequent justification of regional, national and European aid for your investment projects. INFORMATIONTitleThe European Commission has recently approved the map of regional aid in Spain for the period 2022-2027DescriptionThe new map of regional aid defines those regions and areas in Spain that are eligible to receive investment aid, establishing the maximum intensities to receive depending on the size of the company and its location. Author GLOBALCAJA
The European Commission has recently approved the map of regional aid in Spain for the period 2022-2027
