The European Commission is seeking the views of Member States on a draft proposal for a Temporary Framework for State Aid to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis, as announced by President Ursula von der Leyenon 13 April 2026. The draft proposal is based on Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows aid to be granted for the development of specific economic sectors, including in the face of unforeseen economic risks.
The Commission is consulting Member States to gather their views on a temporary and targeted framework to address the effects of the crisis on some of the most vulnerable sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, fisheries, road transport and short sea shipping within the EU. The draft proposal also includes a temporary adjustment tothe Clean Industry Support Framework(CISAF)State Aid Framework, allowing for higher levels of aid to address electricity price spikes.
The draft proposal currently under consultation proposes to allow Member States to grant:
- Temporary support tailored to the needs of the most exposed sectors:
- covering part of the increases in fuel or fertiliser prices, compared to before 28 February 2026, based on the beneficiaries’ consumption, and
- A simplified measure allowing for a limited amount of aid per undertaking (except for short sea shipping within the EU). On this basis, Member States may rely on relevant statistics to avoid individual monitoring of actual consumption.
- An increase in the maximum aid intensity for electricity costs for energy-intensive industries, as provided for in section 4.5 of the CISAF, above the current maximum of 50%.
Furthermore, the Commission is prepared to assess, on a case-by-case basis and subject to various conditions, temporary measures which may include subsidising the cost of fuel for electricity generation from gas, with a view to reducing overall electricity costs.
The Commission is also putting forward additional questions to Member States regarding the measures included in the draft framework and whether further measures are required to address the effects of the crisis. Member States now have the opportunity to comment on the Commission’s draft proposal and to respond to these questions. The Commission will assess the responses swiftly with the aim of adopting a Temporary Framework by the end of April.
Background
State aid rules allow Member States to take swift and effective measures to support citizens and businesses, in particular SMEs, facing economic difficulties due to the current situation in the energy markets.
The proposed Temporary Framework for the Energy Crisis would complement the wide scope available to Member States to design measures in line with existing EU state aid rules, in particular those set out in the Crisis Intervention Support Framework (CISAF).
Member States may also continue to apply state aid measures under the General Block Exemption Regulation without the need to notify the Commission.
More information: European Commission.
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