The Commission has approved amendments to the Greek state aid regime. Budget it is increasing by 1.55 billion eurosto support businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Specifically the European Commission found that Amendments to the existing Greek repayable advances scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak Compatible with the State aid Temporary Framework. The Commission approved the original scheme on 7 April 2020 (SA.56815) and subsequent amendments thereto in July 2020 (SA.58047), November 2020 (SA.59069), December 2020 (SA.59900), July 2021 (SA. 62081), August 2021 (SA. 64273) and November 2021 (SA.100637).

Greece notified the following further changes to the scheme:

i) The introduction of two new rounds of aid, thanks to which businesses will be able to receive aid for the period January - March 2021; ii) An increase in the budget of €1.55 billion for these two new rounds of aid. The total budget of the scheme amounts to €8.75 billion; iii) The extension of the period for which aid can be granted until 30 June 2022. That is, until the date of expiry of the Temporary Framework; (iv) A change in the repayment requirements. That is, an extension of the grace period, and the number of instalments. Also, the possibility of early payment deduction is also provided. The Commission concluded that the amended scheme remains necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.The non-confidential version of the decision will be published under the case number SA.63905 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website.