Italy

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Commission has adopted support measures under the state aid Temporary Framework and EU state aid rules. These measures aim to help citizens and companies and mitigate the significant economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic:

• On 1 February 2021, the Commission approved a €10 million scheme to support companies of all sizes managing aluminium waste sorting and recycling plants in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The assistance, in the form of direct grants, aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and help them continue their activity during and after the pandemic.

• On 28 January 2022, the Commission approved the renewal of a previous scheme dedicated to supporting companies active in agriculture, forestry, fishery, aquaculture and related sectors. The renewal also added €500 million to the initial €1.2 billion budget. The assistance, in the form of direct grants, repayable, tax and payment advantages, reduction or cancellation of the payment of social security and welfare contributions and debt write-off, aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and help them continue their economic activity during and after the outbreak.

• On 18 January 2022, the Commission approved an umbrella scheme to support companies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme is a re-introduction of a previously-approved measure that was subsequently amended in April 2021. The approved scheme includes an overall budget increase of €2.5 billion, from €12.5 billion to €15 billion, and an increase in the maximum aid amounts per beneficiary. The aim of the scheme is to support companies in difficulty due to loss of income and liquidity shortages resulting from the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

• On 16 December 2021, the Commission approved a €2 million scheme to support management bodies of speleological sites and caves affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. The assistance, in the form of direct grants, aims to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the pandemic.

• On 15 December 2021, the Commission approved a €10 million scheme to support entertainment agencies and tourist villages in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The assistance, in the form of direct grants, aims to provide support for the beneficiaries’ decline in turnover, and help them continue their economic activity.

• on 14 December 2021, the Commission approved a €6 million aid measureto compensate Calabrian airports for the damage suffered during the period between 1 March and 15 June 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the travel restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus. The support, in the form of a direct grant, aims to help the beneficiaries continue their economic activity.

• on 30 November 2021, the Commission approved a €400 million scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The public support, in the form of direct grants and subsidised loans under the de minimis regime, is open to businesses engaging in international activities and operations relevant for the digital and green transition and active in all sectors, except the financial, the primary production of agricultural products and the fishery and aquaculture ones. The purpose of the measure is to support initiatives in the field of the digital and green transition, initiatives that promote the internationalisation of businesses in the digital environment, and their participation in international events.

• on 19 November 2021, the Commission approved a €140 million scheme to support companies active in sectors particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. The public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to help beneficiaries whose activities had been closed, such as discotheques, dance floors, nightclubs and others, to continue their economic activities.

• on 10 November 2021, the Commission approved a €4.5 billion scheme to support companies and the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The assistance, in the form of direct grants, aims to support the beneficiaries to continue their economic activity.

• on 10 November 2021, the Commission approved a €245 million scheme to support companies active in the textile, fashion, and accessories sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support, in the form of a tax credit, is open to all companies and aims to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages faced by the beneficiaries due to the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 5 November 2021, the Commission approved a €73 million scheme to support bus operators affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The assistance, granted by three different measures, aims to provide compensation for the repayment of loans instalments and the purchase of new buses.

• on 28 October 2021, the Commission approved a €96.9 million scheme to support companies hiring female workers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The support, in the form of an exemption from payment of social security contributions for contracts concluded in 2021 with female workers, aims to help the beneficiaries address liquidity needs and promote employment of female workers who have experienced a period of unemployment or of unregularly paid employment.

• on 18 October 2021, the Commission approved a €31.9 billion scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme consists of two measures, granting limited amounts of aid and support for incurred uncovered fixed costs incurred between March 2020 and December 2021, and is open to companies of all sizes operating in all sectors except the financial one. The support, in the form of tax exemptions and reductions, tax credits and direct grants, aims to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and cover the fixed costs derived from the lack of revenue.

• on 12 October 2021, the Commission approved a €7 million scheme to support open-top bus operators active in the tourism sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support, in the form of direct grants, aims to help with the uncovered fixed costs of beneficiaries whose business activity was reduced due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 17 September 2021, the Commission approved a €1.24 billion scheme to support companies hiring young workforce in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme, in the form of an exemption from social security contribution payments, aims to reduce the labour costs of the beneficiaries, therefore help address their liquidity needs and promote the employment of young people.

• on 15 September, the Commission approved a €200 million scheme to support companies active in the tourist-accommodation sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, the support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages faced by the beneficiaries due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 31 August 2021, the Commission approved a €520 million scheme to compensate companies active in the trade fairs and congress sector and their service providers for the damages suffered due to the restrictive measures introduced to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the losses incurred by the beneficiaries and help them continue their economic activity.

• on 20 August 2021, the Commission approved a €10 million scheme to support companies active in the theatre and live performance sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The measure, in the form of a tax credit, is open to companies that suffered a decline in turnover in 2020 compared to 2019. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages faced by the beneficiaries due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. 

• on 20 August 2021, the Commission approved a €10 million scheme to support companies in all sectors active in the historic centres of municipalities, except the financial one, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages faced by businesses due to the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 18 August 2021, the Commission approved a €43 million scheme to support companies active in the sports sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme is open to sports associations and amateur sports entities, as well as to professional sports clubs engaged in national team championships of Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. The public support, in the form of state guarantees covering loans, subsidised interest rates as well as a grant to exempt companies of guarantee premiums, aims to help the beneficiaries address the liquidity shortages faced due to the coronavirus outbreak and enhance their access to financing, thus helping them continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 4 August 2021, the Commission approved a €430 million measure to compensate ski lift operators for the damages suffered due to the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Under the scheme, the compensation, in the form of direct grants, aims to support the economic activity continuity of the beneficiaries and cover the losses incurred on the background of the pandemic.

• on 2 August 2021, the Commission approved a €868 million scheme to reduce the labour costs borne by private employers operating in the tourism, spas, commerce, cultural or recreational sectors, which have been particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support, in the form of a social security contribution exemption, aims to help preserve employment levels.

• on 27 July 2021, the Commission approved, under EU state aid rules, a €800 million scheme to compensate airports and ground-handling operators for the damage suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak and the travel restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus. The support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the economic impact of the outbreak, and includes a claw-back mechanism to ensure that any public support received in excess to the actual incurred damage will have to be paid back to the Italian government.

• on 14 July 2021, the Commission approved a €2.5 billion scheme to support self-employed individuals and certain healthcare professionals in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the support, in the form of partial social security contribution exemptions, aims to reduce the expenses for social security contributions and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic.

• on 12 July 2021, the Commission approved a €878 million scheme to incentivise the integration of unemployed workers in the labour market in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the support, in the form of a social security contribution payment exemption, aims to reduce the labour costs borne by private employers when recruiting new workers who were previously unemployed. Beneficiaries can receive aid up to €3,000 per hired worker.

• on 9 July 2021, the Commission approved, under EU state aid rules, a scheme to support tour operators and travel agents in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme, which follows a previously approved measure, is financed from the existing €625 million budget and aims to compensate businesses that suffered damages due to the restrictive measures imposed to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 5 July 2021, the Commission confirmed that a €39.7 million aid measure to support Alitalia in the context of the coronavirus outbreak was in line with the EU state aid rules. The support, in the form of a direct grant, aims to compensate the airline for the losses incurred on certain routes between March 1st and April 30th 2021.

• on 30 June 2021, the modification of two existing schemes to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the original schemes, under the names ‘Guarantee Fund for the small and medium-sized enterprises’ and ‘Italian Guarantee by the state-owned SACE’, were amended to accommodate the extension of the eligibility period and an increase in the maximum maturity of the guaranteed loans, from six to eight years. The schemes aim to support companies and self-employed workers, by helping businesses cover their immediate working capital and investment needs, thus ensuring the continuation of their activities.

• on 11 June 2021, a €25 million scheme to support audio-visual production companies in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the assistance, in the form of a tax credit, aims to help the beneficiaries partly cover the costs incurred to comply with the provisions of the Italian COVID-19 Protocol on the safety of cinematographic workers.

• on 10 June 2021, a €150 million scheme to support the rail freight and commercial passenger sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The assistance, in the form of charge reductions when accessing the rail infrastructure, aims to help rail operators in coping with the difficult situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak, by preserving their competitiveness as well as the benefits of the shift of traffic from road to rail achieved prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 9 June 2021, a €800 million scheme to help companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak and to support the development of coronavirus-relevant products. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the assistance, in the form of direct grants, loans and repayable advances, aims to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and incentivise economic activities dedicated to research and the production of certain products that are crucial to address the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 28 May 2021, a €20 million scheme to support companies active in road passenger transport affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the assistance, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the liquidity shortages faced by the affected companies due to the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 18 May 2021, a €20 million scheme to support companies managing passenger port terminals, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 17 May 2021, an additional aid measure of €12.8 million in favour of Alitalia, to compensate the company for damages suffered on certain flight routes in January 2021, due to the coronavirus outbreak. This measure follows the March 2021,  €24.7 million scheme to support the company for the damages incurred on certain routes between 1 November - 31 December 2020, and the Commission decisions of 4 September 2020 and 29 December 2020 to compensate Alitalia for damages suffered from governmental restrictions between 1 March 2020 to 15 June 2020, and 16 June to 31 October 2020, respectively.

• on 15 April 2021, a €10 million scheme to support Italian companies operating small ships in the tourist transport sector, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework the support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the impact the restrictive measures imposed by the Italian government to limit the spread of the virus have had on the beneficiaries.

• on 9 April 2021, a €12 million scheme to support publishers and journals of art and tourism materials in Italy, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to partially compensate the significant reduction of revenues associated to the sale of art and tourism publications in 2020, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and help them to continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 9 April 2021, amendments to an existing scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the state aid Temporary Framework. The scheme, approved by the Commission on 21 May 2020 and subsequently amended by the cases SA.58547, SA.59655 and SA.59827, was modified in terms of the duration (extended until the end of 2021), budgetary allocations (from €10 billion to €12.5 billion), and the extension of the ceilings for limited amounts of aid and uncovered fixed costs for the beneficiaries.

• on 6 April 2021, a €24 million scheme to support mooring companies in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants and repayable advances, is open to mooring companies operating in Italian ports that have experienced a significant loss of revenue due to the sharp decline in passenger traffic. Under the scheme, €22 million were earmarked to support eligible beneficiaries and an additional €2 million, for compensating eligible beneficiaries for loss of revenues due to tariff reductions. The purpose of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 25 March 2021, under EU state aid rules, a €270 million measure to support both the rail freight and the commercial passenger sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure aims to preserve the competitiveness of rail passenger operations and to maintain a stable, reliable and sufficient service offer.

• on 16 March 2021, a €1 million scheme to support organisers of international sport events in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and help them to continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 16 March 2021, a €63 million aid scheme to support the uncovered fixed costs of companies active in the trade fairs sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the economic difficulties and the liquidity shortages faced by the beneficiaries as a result of the suspension or reduction of their business activity due to the outbreak, and the related measures to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was subsequently extended on 5 May 2021, the modification allowing for a budgetary increase to €213 million.

• on 11 March 2021, under EU state aid rules, €511 million in support to compensate providers of commercial, long-distance rail passenger services for the damage suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the restrictive measures Italy had to implement to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The beneficiaries are entitled to compensation in the form of direct grants for losses incurred between 8 March 2020 and 30 June 2020.

• on 2 March 2021, under EU state aid rules, a €10 million  aid measure to compensate Toscana Aeroporti, the operator of the Pisa and Florence airports, for the damages incurred due to the coronavirus outbreak. The measure, in the form of a direct grant, aims to enable the Italian authorities to compensate Toscana Aeroporti for losses resulted from the restrictive measures on international and domestic air passenger services implemented by Italy and other countries to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 26 February 2021, a €40 million aid measure to support coronavirus-related research and development activities in the context of the pandemic. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of a direct grant, was earmarked for the development of a novel coronavirus vaccine by the ReiThera S.r.l. biotechnology company. The aid measure aims to support the setup and implementation of the vaccine development step II/III, a phase study to confirm safety and efficacy.

• on 24 February 2021, a €61.4 million scheme to support private employers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of an exemption from compulsory social security contributions, aims to reduce the labour costs borne by private employers experiencing socio-economic disturbances due to the coronavirus outbreak, with a view to keep jobs. The scheme is open to employers registered in Italy and active in all sectors, except for the financial and agricultural ones.

• on 19 February 2021, the modification of an existing Italian direct grants scheme to support companies operating in regions of Southern Italy affected by coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the state aid Temporary Framework. The original scheme, approved by the Commission in October 2020 and prolonged in December 2020, was extended until end 2021, with additional budgetary increases and eligibility requirements modifications. As the original scheme, the modified measure aims to support the reduction of the social security contribution for private employers operating in the South of Italy.

• on 12 February 2021, a €4 million scheme to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises providing fuel distribution services on Italian motorways. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to alleviate the liquidity shortages faced by these companies due to the travel restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

• on 21 January 2021, under EU state aid rules, €325 million of public support to connect schools in Italy to very high-speed internet. The measure, in line with the EU strategic objectives set out in the Digital Agenda for Europe and the EU broadband connectivity objectives, aims to provide high-speed internet to 12,000 schools located in areas with insufficient connectivity in Italy, and thus help provide online educational services, essential in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 13 January 2021, the modification of an existing direct grants scheme to support internationally active companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The original scheme, approved by the Commission on 31 July 2020, was previously extended in December 2020 until 30 June 2021 (SA.59655). Italy notified an increase in the estimated total budget of the scheme by €828 million, increasing the total budget from €300 million to €1.128 million. Similar to the original scheme, the modified scheme continues to support eligible companies by facilitating their access to liquidity.

• on 23 December, under EU state aid rules, a €130 million scheme to compensate airlines for the damage suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme, in the form of direct grants, aims to enable the Italian authorities to compensate airlines for the losses directly caused by the coronavirus outbreak, and the travel restrictions that Italy and other countries had to implement to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

• on 18 December, a €370 million scheme to support companies active in the congress and fair industry affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the scheme is open to fair agencies and organisers of conventions and trade shows, as well as providers of logistics, transport and stand builders. The support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the economic difficulties and the sudden liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing due to the restrictive measures that the Italian government had to impose to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 8 December 2020, the modification of a previously approved scheme to support companies active in agriculture, forestry, fishery, aquaculture and other related sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Italy notified several modifications to this scheme, such as the increase of the budget to €1.5 billion and the extension until 30 June 2021. The aid was earmarked for direct grants, guarantees and loans, reduction or cancellation of the payment of social security and welfare contributions, as well as debt write-off.

• on 4 December, a €500 million scheme to ensure sufficient liquidity for businesses selling goods or services, active in the historic centres of the top touristic Italian cities. The purpose of the scheme is to mitigate the economic difficulties and the sudden liquidity shortages these companies are facing due to the restrictive measures imposed by the government to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support targets companies of all sizes active in all sectors except the financial one.

• on 4 December, a €625 million scheme to support tour operators and travel agencies in Italy affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the scheme aids to mitigate the impact of the crisis for tour operators and travel agencies limited or forbidden to carry out their activities due to the exceptional measures taken by the Italian government to limit the spread of the virus. 

• on 17 November, two schemes worth €20 million, to support small book publishers and the music, recording and phonographic industry, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support will take the form of direct grants to businesses in the publishing, music, recording and phonographic sectors that have experienced a significant revenue reduction due to the coronavirus outbreak. Both schemes aim to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and help them continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 16 November, a €175 million scheme to support companies operating in the tourism and thermal bath sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the support will take the form of an exemption from the obligation to pay certain social contributions. The scheme aims to reduce the labour costs borne by private employers active in the tourism and thermal bath sectors, to keep employment levels in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure provides for a total exemption from the payment of employers' social security contributions (except for contributions to insurance for accidents at work), for a maximum period of three months.

• on 11 November, a €484 million scheme for social security contributions exemption. Approved under the Temporary Framework for state aid measures, the scheme aims to reduce the labour costs of private employers experiencing serious socio-economic disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a view to safeguarding employment levels. The scheme will be accessible to companies registered in Italy, in all sectors, excluding the financial and agricultural sectors. The public support will consist of a total exemption from the payment of the employer's compulsory social security contributions (apart from those related to insurance against accidents at work) for a maximum period of four months, until 31 December 2020.

• on 15 October, a €8.5 million scheme to support agricultural cooperatives that have been particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Approved under the State aid Temporary Framework, the scheme will grant support in the form of a favourable tax regime for revaluation of assets by agricultural cooperatives. The aim of the measure is to ease liquidity constraints of agricultural cooperatives, facilitate their access to finance and mitigate the liquidity shortages that they are still facing as a result of the current crisis. 

• on 7 October, a €1.5 billion scheme to support companies operating in regions of Southern Italy- Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily- affected by the coronavirus outbreak, by reducing their labour costs and helping them maintain employment in this difficult moment. The scheme, approved under the State aid Temporary Framework, consists of tax advantages and aims to reduce the labour costs of the beneficiaries, thereby helping them address their liquidity needs, continue their activities and maintain employment during and after the outbreak.

• on 29 September 2020, under the state aid Temporary Framework, a €403 million scheme to reimburse costs borne by Italian companies for introducing protection measures at the workplace in order to reduce the risk of contagion in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure will be open to companies of all sizes active in all sectors except the financial sector. The scheme aims at preserving the continuity of economic activity during and after the coronavirus outbreak, while protecting people's health and safety. The measure provides for the reimbursement of 100% of costs borne by the beneficiaries for the purchase of devices and equipment for individual protection, in compliance with the measures introduced by the Italian authorities in March 2020 to limit the spread of the coronavirus in workplaces. The aid amount will be at least of €500, with a possible maximum amount of aid of €15,000 for companies with up to 9 workers, €50,000, for companies with between 10 and 50 workers and €100,000 for companies with more than 50 workers.

• on 17 September, a scheme, with an overall budget of €44 billion, to support large enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme consists of four measures that were approved under the state aid Temporary Framework. The scheme targets large companies that have faced a severe reduction of revenues in 2020.

• on 19 August 2020, under the state aid Temporary Framework, a €1.6 million scheme to support sport associations and amateur sport entities which have been particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The public support, which will be open to all associations and amateur entities registered in Italy, will take the form of 100% free State guarantees on loans with subsidised interest rates. The aim of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries address the liquidity shortages and the difficulties in accessing the credit market they are facing as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 13 August 2020, under EU State aid rules, a €2 billion scheme to support the trade credit insurance market in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The State guarantee scheme for the reinsurance of trade credit risks will be administered by SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency. Trade credit insurance protects companies supplying goods and services against the risk of non-payment by their clients. Given the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, the risk of insurers not being willing to issue this insurance has become higher. The Italian scheme will ensure that trade credit insurance continues to be available to all companies, avoiding the need for buyers of goods or services to pay in advance, therefore reducing their immediate liquidity needs. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules and in particular Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures implemented by Member States to remedy a serious disturbance in their economy.

• on 3 August 2020, a €300 million aid scheme to companies registered in Italy engaged in international activities and operations, whose activities have been particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The aid will take the form of direct grants to support companies facing liquidity shortages and ensure the continuation of their activities.

• on 16 July 2020, a €1.2 billion  scheme to support companies active in agriculture, forestry, fishery, aquaculture and other related sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support will take the form of direct grants, repayable advances, tax and payment advantages, reduction or cancellation of the payment of social security and welfare contributions, debt write-off and other payment facilities. The scheme is accessible to companies of all sizes active in agriculture, forestry, fishery, aquaculture and other related sectors such as agro tourism, food production and marketing, catering, and didactic farms. The measure is expected to benefit over 1,000 enterprises. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of these companies and to help them continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 8 July 2020, a €6.2 billion scheme to support small businesses and self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The scheme is open to small businesses and self-employed active in all sectors, except the financial sector and the public administration. The amount of individual aid will be calculated as a percentage of the difference between the turnover recorded by eligible beneficiaries in April 2020 compared to turnover in April 2019 (at a minimum of €1,000 for natural persons and €2,000 for companies). The scheme aims at easing liquidity constraints that companies and self-employed are experiencing due to the negative consequences of the coronavirus outbreak, thus helping them continue their activities. The measure is expected to support 2.6 million small businesses and self-employed.

• on 26 June 2020, four aid schemes to support companies and self-employed workers affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The four measures are part of a wider Italian support package included in the so-called “Decreto Rilancio”, and have overall estimated budget measures of €7.6 billion. Under the schemes, which will be open to companies and self-employed workers, support will take the form of: a partial waiver of the regional tax on production activities (IRAP) for companies and self-employed workers with revenues not exceeding €250 million in 2019 active in all sectors with some exceptions (such as banks and other financial institutions); and an exemption from the municipal tax (IMU) in relation to touristic properties used for commercial operations, including SPAs and sea resorts;  tax credits to support the adaptation of production processes and workplaces to the new sanitary requirements; tax credits for certain companies and self-employed workers depending on the level of revenues in relation to rents and leases for non-residential properties and business leases for the period between March and June 2020. The measures aim at: (i) easing the liquidity constraints that companies and self-employed workers are experiencing due to the negative consequences of the coronavirus outbreak and the measures that the Italian government had to take to limit the spread of the virus; and (ii) encouraging the adaption of production processes and workplaces to the new sanitary requirements.

• on 16 June 2020, the modifications of the previously approved scheme to compensate self-employed workers and companies (with less than 500 employees) affected by the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with EU State aid rules, in particular with the state aid Temporary Framework adopted by the Commission on 19 March 2020, as amended on 3 April and 8 May 2020. The existing scheme was approved on 13 April 2020. The budget of the measure has substantially increased. The budget representing the expected public costs of the scheme notified by Italy is now €25 billion (instead of €1.7 billion previously) and is expected to mobilise €150 billion. Furthermore, the maturity of the fully guaranteed loans with an amount up to €30,000 has been increased from six to ten years. The Commission concluded that the scheme, as modified, remains necessary, appropriate, and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the Italian economy, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework.

• on 29 May 2020, a €12 million scheme to support companies active in the agricultural sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support will take the form of direct grants and will be accessible to companies of all sizes, including the self-employed, active in the agriculture sector. Support under the Common Agricultural Policy will be paid approximately 4 months before the envisaged date. The purpose of the scheme is to further address the liquidity needs of farmers and to help them continue their activities by compensating them for the interests that they have to pay on this anticipation of the payment. The measure is expected to benefit over 1,000 enterprises. The aid does not exceed €100,000 per company.

• on 21 May 2020, a €9 billion Italian “ umbrella” scheme to support the Italian economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, the Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces, other territorial bodies as well as Chambers of commerce, will be able to provide support to companies of all sizes, including self-employed, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies. Public support was earmarked in the form of direct grants, guarantees on loans and subsidised interest rates for loans, aid for coronavirus-related research and development (R&D), for the construction and upscaling of facilities to develop and test coronavirus-relevant products, and for the production of coronavirus-related products, such as vaccines, medical products, treatments and devices, disinfectants and protective clothing, active pharmaceutical ingredients and active substances used for disinfectants, and wage subsidies for employees to avoid lay-offs during the coronavirus outbreak. This scheme aims at supporting companies that face difficulties due to loss of income and liquidity shortages resulting from the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak. In particular, it will help businesses cover immediate working capital or investment needs. This scheme will also support and promote research and production of coronavirus-related products and will help employees to avoid layoffs in these difficult times.

• a €70 million scheme to support companies active in the agricultural and fishery sectors in the Campania region in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the state aid Temporary Framework. The support will take the form of direct grants and will be accessible to companies of all sizes, including the self-employed, active in the agriculture, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the territory of Campania. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of these companies and to help them continue their activities during and after the outbreak. The measure is expected to support over 1,000 enterprises. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, aid does not exceed €120,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector and €100,000 per company active in the primary production of agricultural products.

• on 4 May 2020, a €30 million scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural and fishery sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme, which will be open to SMEs active in these sectors aims at enabling those companies to have access to the financial means they need to cover their immediate working capital needs, thus helping them to continue their activities. Under the scheme, support will be granted in the form of zero-interest-rate loans by the State-owned Service Institute for the Agricultural and Food Market (ISMEA).

• on 21 April 2020, a €50 million scheme to support the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The Italian regional support measure will support companies of all sizes active in the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, that are facing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, support will be granted in the form of loans with favourable interest rates channelled through financial institutions, and in the form of direct grants. The aim of the scheme is to help businesses in these sectors cope with the liquidity issues brought about by the coronavirus crisis by giving them access to the financial means they need to cover their immediate working capital and investment needs, thus ensuring the continuation of their activities.

• on 21 April 2020, an state aid scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the scheme, support will be granted by the State-owned ISMEA Guarantee Fund, through financial institutions, in the form of: (i) State guarantees on investment and working capital loans; (ii) Direct grants, in the form of waiving of the applicable fee on guarantees awarded. The scheme aims at enabling those companies to have access to the financial means they need to cover their immediate working capital and investment needs and maintain their activities.

• on 25 March 2020 the Italian State guarantee supporting a debt moratorium from banks to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework to support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak adopted by the Commission on 19 March 2020.

• on 22 March 2020, an aid scheme to support the production and supply of medical devices, such as ventilators, and personal protection equipment, such as masks, goggles, gowns, and safety suits. The scheme will help Italy provide the necessary medical treatment to those infected, while protecting healthcare operators and citizens, and was approved under the Temporary Framework.