In brief

• The Sejm passed an amendment simplifying formalities for applications for de minimis aid.
• Data on aid is to go to central registers kept by UOKiK and, in agriculture and fisheries, by the ministry of agriculture.
• The Senate adopted the act without amendments; the bill is awaiting the president's signature.

Fewer documents for an application

On Thursday, 22 October, MPs voted for an amendment to the act on proceedings in matters concerning public aid and several other acts. The changes are meant to simplify the formalities used by companies applying for de minimis aid. (Sejm za deregulacją procedur dotyczących pomocy de minimis – portalsamorzadowy.pl) (Sejm za deregulacją procedur dotyczących pomocy de minimis – wnp.pl)

Registers instead of declarations

The most important change concerns the obligation to submit declarations. Data on aid received will be entered into central registers kept by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). In the field of agriculture and fisheries, the register is kept by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. As a result, an entrepreneur will not have to provide documents confirming previously received aid. (Koniec obowiązku składania oświadczeń o pomocy de minimis - Senat bez poprawek – Prawo.pl)

Senate without amendments

The Senate adopted the act without amendments. The bill now awaits the president's signature. The changes were treated from the outset as part of deregulation, and the Sejm supported them in the first vote by a large majority. (Mniej formalności przy pomocy de minimis. Sejm za zmianami, teraz ruch Senatu – farmer.pl)

What it means for businesses

For SMEs, this means a shorter list of documents for each de minimis aid application. The impact will be most noticeable where a company receives such aid many times over a short period.