The European Commission has approved a €700,000 Maltese State aid scheme to support companies active in primary production of fishery products facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The scheme aims to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices resulting from the Middle East crisis. The aid will take the form of direct grants, based on the volume of fuel purchased between 1 March 2026 and 31 December 2026 and the monthly price difference with the pre-crisis benchmark of February 2026. The aid covers 70% of the additional costs. The scheme will run until 31 December 2026.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF.
The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of fishery products. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Maltese scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the METSAF can be found online. The non-confidential version of today’s decision will be made available under case number SA.124035, in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
