EU State Aid Law in Practice: Current Challenges and Future Directions

State aid control is one of the pillars for the proper functioning of the EU internal market, ensuring that financial support granted by Member States does not distort competition or trade within the Union. This conference offers an in-depth and up-to-date exploration of the EU State aid legal and policy framework, covering both the established foundations and recent shifts in response to evolving global, economic, and strategic challenges.

In recent years, the State aid regime has continued to evolve in response to global competition, the green and digital transitions, and emerging geopolitical challenges. This changing landscape has led to new policy approaches and targeted instruments to support strategic sectors, respond to crises, and advance the EU’s sustainability goals, while reinforcing the role of State aid as an instrument of EU industrial policy.

What you will learn:

• The latest developments in EU State aid jurisprudence, including recent rulings and their implications for interpretation and enforcement
• How the European Commission and national authorities apply and monitor State aid rules in practice
• The impact of new political orientations on the evolution of State aid policy, including tools for strategic sectors, crisis response, and sustainability
• The role of State aid in supporting the EU’s broader industrial policy goals and in the context of the green and digital transitions
• Diverse perspectives from key institutional and sectoral stakeholders on the current and future direction of State aid control

Course methodology

The first part of the conference will focus on the latest developments in EU State aid case law, combining an overview of recent CJEU rulings with in-depth analysis of selected legal issues and their broader implications for the application of EU State aid rules.

In the second part of the day, a keynote speech by a representative of the European Commission will provide an overview of the latest developments and priorities in EU State aid policy. This will be followed by short presentations and a round-table discussion bringing together perspectives from EU institutions and academia. The discussion will explore the evolving role of State aid in EU industrial policy, including its potential to mobilise private investment, support innovation and respond to the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence.

This conference will provide you with a clearer understanding of the current direction of EU State aid law and policy, combining legal analysis with forward-looking perspectives from key institutional actors. You will gain insight into how recent Court rulings and Commission decisions are shaping enforcement practice, and how State aid is being used strategically to advance the EU’s industrial, environmental, and digital agendas. Whether you are involved in applying State aid rules, designing support measures, or advising on compliance, the event will enhance your ability to anticipate legal developments, align with evolving policy objectives, and engage in informed decision-making within your organisation or institution.

This conference is aimed at legal professionals, including those involved in litigation, as well as public officials and EU institution staff, particularly in the areas of State aid, competition law, public finance, and economic policy. It is especially relevant for participants from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Court of Justice of the European Union, and national administrations, as well as regulators and policy advisors engaged in the design, implementation, or legal review of public support measures.

Project number: 2650901

Venue – to be confirmed
Luxembourg (LU)

Programme Organiser
Ms Elisa Dolci
Tel: +352 691 108 038
e.dolci@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, and a lunch. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
EIPA offers 10% off on registrations made eight weeks or more before the start of a course. The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation, we offer all our participants a 10% loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. Most rates are including breakfast and tourist tax. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please book directly via the links below. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

Luxembourg Kirchberg

• Hotel Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg****, at the rate of €205; e-mail: H1930-RE2@accor.com, booking page: accorhotels.com (SC number : SC000002048 – code : IN281LU654).

Luxembourg Centre

• Hotel Simoncini****, at the rate of €240., tel.: +352 22 28 44; e-mail: simhotel@pt.lu; https://www.hotelsimoncini.lu/.
• Hotel Parc Plaza****, at the rate of €179-224, +352 44 23 23 23 23, e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com
• Hotel Parc Bellevue***, at the rate of €144-188, https://www.goereshotels.com, +352 44 23 23 23 23; e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com;

Luxembourg Dommeldange

• Hotel Parc Alvisse****, at the rate of €125, +352 43 56 43 81 08, e-mail: reception@parc-hotel.lu

Luxembourg Belair

• Hotel Parc Belair****, at the rate of €196-236, +352 44 23 23 23 23, e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com
• Hotel The Rose****, at the rate of €216-236, +352 44 23 23 23 23, e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com

Luxembourg Limpertsberg (closest to EIPA)

• Hotel Victor Hugo****, at the rate of €165, +352 26 27 440, e-mail: info@victorhugo.bestwestern.de

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants. EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.