Brussels, October 10, 2025 – The European Commission has extended the validity of its guidelines allowing member states to grant rescue and restructuring aid to struggling non-financial companies until 31 December 2026, avoiding a legal gap while a broader revision is underway.
The 2014 Guidelines on State Aid for Rescuing and Restructuring of Non-Financial Undertakings in Difficulty were set to expire at the end of 2025. The extension maintains the existing framework during the ongoing review, ensuring continued legal certainty for governments and firms seeking temporary relief.
The rules permit governments to provide aid to distressed firms under strict conditions, aimed at preventing undue market distortions. The Commission noted that such measures can be highly distortive if misused, as they may hinder market efficiency and delay structural adjustment in struggling sectors.
A public consultation on the revision of the guidelines, launched in August, remains open until 14 November 2025. The updated rules will aim to align rescue and restructuring aid with current market realities and sustainability goals.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_25_2353
