The Slovak competition authority held its second State Aid Conference on 20 October 2026 at Hotel Bôrik, attracting 120 participants, particularly state aid providers. The programme addressed cross-cutting issues relevant to a broad audience.

The first panel examined developments in state aid policy and European Commission legislative initiatives. Topics included proposed revisions to guidelines on rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty, regional aid and air transport, as well as Commission notices on state guarantees and banking. Much of the discussion focused on the planned revision of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), expected to be adopted by the end of 2026 and apply from 1 January 2027. Participants considered open questions raised by member-state initiatives, including the definition of an undertaking in difficulty, provisions for regions on the EU’s eastern border, and transitional rules for existing aid schemes.

The second panel addressed aid measures that do not affect trade between EU member states and therefore may have a local character. Speakers outlined the concept’s foundations in the state aid modernisation reform and reviewed European Commission decision-making practice and assessment criteria. They stressed that each measure must be assessed in light of its specific circumstances. The panel also shared practical perspectives from an aid coordinator, an aid provider and academia, and discussed selected Commission decisions concerning the Czech Republic.

The third panel focused on the Eesti Pagar judgment, its subject matter and its consequences for member states. Speakers discussed recovery of aid and the importance of preventive measures to avoid situations requiring recovery. The closing discussion covered Czech guidance on aid recovery, including its theoretical basis and a practical example of calculating the amount to be repaid, with interest.

Speakers included representatives of the European Commission, Slovak and Czech public bodies, universities and the Slovak competition authority’s state aid department. Participants were able to discuss the topics with speakers and one another. The authority reported positive feedback and said it hopes to hold another conference in the following year.