State aid and EU funds

We advise on all legal issues related to obtaining subsidies (both national and EU) or taking advantage of tax reliefs or exemptions (SEZ/Act on supporting new investments, R&D relief).

We provide support from the first moment of obtaining state aid and EU funds. We then assist in settling and reporting such aid, and in structuring and transforming entities that benefit from state aid and EU structural funds. We represent clients before national authorities and the European Commission. We also provide training to the employees of organisations which seek to obtain grants or relief.

Our team includes not only lawyers, but also an IT engineer who provides business analysis of R&D relief. We understand the IT Gamedev business and have extensive experience in implementing instruments in this industry.

How can we help?

New investment or R&D activity

Identifying available sources of support (R&D relief, government grants, tax exemptions under the Investment Promotion Act – SEZ, local tax exemptions) and areas of activity eligible for R&D support/relief;
Structuring transactions to maximise the use of support;
Advising throughout the entire process – from applying for support, to managing doubtful issues with tax interpretations, settling and reporting the funds, and ultimately exiting the investment;
Training staff connected with the acquisition of use of financial assistance;
Providing day-to-day support, answering questions during project implementation (e.g. concerning the settlement of R&D relief, dividing the result between activities within/outside a SEZ, calculating exemption limits, compliance with the authorisation/support decision, etc);
Reviewing tax settlements with regard to exemptions from SEZ provisions/support for new investments or R&D relief.

State aid – EU law

Supporting company transformations: assistance in preserving subsidies in the light of project sustainability regulations, by structuring the transaction appropriately and applying for relevant approvals if required;
Supporting the monitoring of funds: preparing arguments for the managing/intermediary institution and representing clients before them;
Advising Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurs (SMEs) on maintaining SME status following organisational changes;
Assessing the compatibility of benefits received from public authorities (central and local government) with EU law;
Assessing the need to notify the aid received to the European Commission (EC);
Preparing notifications of aid to the EC and representing clients before the EC;
Preparing complaints regarding unauthorised public aid received by a competitor and representing complainants before the EC;
Verifying the existence of public aid in relations with state authorities or local governments (Private Investor/Creditor Tests).