This draft has not been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission. Any views expressed are preliminary views of the Commission services and may not in any circumstance be regarded as an official position of the Commission.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
Amendment to the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework
Introduction
(1) On 29 April 2026 the Commission adopted its Communication on the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF) (1).
(2) In the METSAF, the Commission noted Europe’s exposure to the economic effects of the Middle East crisis and in particular the rise in fuel and fertiliser prices, as well as significant price spikes on the wholesale electricity markets. The Commission also identified the primary production of agricultural products, the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products, certain modes of land transport, as well as intra-Union short sea shipping as economic sectors that are most exposed to the impact of these price rises. In addition, the Commission observed that in light of significant price spikes for wholesale electricity, further flexibility for electricity price relief under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) (2) was warranted.
(3) The situation in the Middle East remains uncertain, with a continued impact on global energy prices. Since the adoption of the METSAF, prices for fuel and fertilisers, as well as wholesale electricity prices, have remained highly volatile, reaching new price peaks for diesel in autumn 2026. The Commission considers that the economic situation underpinning the need for the METSAF remains materially unchanged.
(4) The Commission acknowledges that prices for fuels and fertilisers are affected in several ways by the situation in the Middle East, including increases in global freight costs. With its focus on reducing the effective costs borne by the consumers in the sectors in scope, METSAF provides sufficient flexibility to also address those effects, further underlining the need to prolong its application. As the METSAF provides for the possibility of Member States to adjust individual aid amounts based on general estimates or relevant proxies, the Commission considers that a new funding period is necessary to address the additional needs during the extended time of application.
(5) The European Council has also underlined the critical importance of tackling high energy prices in the current geopolitical context in particular affecting vulnerable sectors and the need for a coordinated European response of targeted and temporary measures. In this context the European Council welcomed the intention of the Commission to prolong the application of the METSAF (3).
(6) The Commission has also consulted Member States on their views regarding the ongoing need for temporary crisis measures under the METSAF.
(7) On this basis, the Commission has decided to prolong the application of the METSAF until 30 June 2027.
(8) By prolonging the METSAF until 30 June 2027, Member States may continue to support the primary agriculture and fishery and aquaculture sectors, ensuring that the crisis does not create additional liquidity risks in those sectors. Given that those sectors consist mainly of micro and small enterprises, specific State aid rules provide a wide range of possibilities to support companies facing adverse events. For example, under the applicable Block Exemption Regulations (4), those sectors may be supported in a flexible and swift manner in the event of natural disasters or other climatic events that can be assimilated to a natural disaster.
(9) As outlined in the AccelerateEU Communication (5), any national measures should be consistent with Member States’ commitments under the Union fiscal framework.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS TEMPORARY STATE AID FRAMEWORK
(10) Point 61 is amended as follows:
(a) point b is replaced by the following:
‘b. the aid is granted by 30 June 2027 (*);’
______________
(*)By way of derogation, when the aid is granted only after an ex post verification of the supporting documentation of the beneficiary and the Member State decides not to include the possibility to grant advance payments in line with point (62), aid may be granted within three months after the end of the eligible period of the scheme and no later than 30 September 2027.’;
(b) in point c, footnote (37) is replaced by the following:
‘If the aid is granted in the form of a tax advantage, the tax liability in relation to which that advantage is granted must have arisen no later than 30 June 2027 or with regard to tax periods ending before or on 30 June 2027.’
(c) point d is replaced by the following:
‘d. the aid covers a portion up to 70 % of the extra-costs derived from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis, when the relevant market benchmark price for fuel or fertiliser, as applicable, is above the applicable historical benchmark price identified by the Member State, based on reasonable assumptions and recognised indices. The aid is granted for the eligible period as of 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027 at the latest, on the basis of either the beneficiary’s current or latest pre-crisis fuel consumption and fertiliser consumption; (*)
______________
(*) Fertiliser consumption can be estimated by reference to average consumption per area.’;
(11) in point 62, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The granting authority establishes a process to verify the beneficiary’s compliance with the relevant requirements ex-post on the basis of actual beneficiary’s data and claws back any aid amounts that do not meet the criteria no later than six months after the eligible period of the scheme has ended. Within the same timeline the granting authority may also complement the aid amount in case the beneficiary received less than what it could actually receive under the scheme.’;
(12) points 63 and 64 are replaced by the following:
‘(63) As an alternative to point (61)d, and provided that all other conditions in point (61) are met, Member States may calibrate individual aid amounts, in order to ensure proportionality, on elements like the size and type of beneficiaries’ activities, a general estimate of fuel or fertiliser consumption in the sector, or other relevant proxies such as number of vehicles or fleet segments, or size of land used for the primary production of agricultural products, provided the overall nominal amount of aid granted under this Section 2.1 does not exceed EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 March 2026 to 31 December 2026, and EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.
(64) Aid for undertakings active in the primary production of agriculture products, falling within the scope of this Communication, may be cumulated with support granted on the basis of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1894* and of Article 78b of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council** up to 100% of the same eligible costs. Aid to undertakings active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products falling within the scope of this Communication may be cumulated with support granted on the basis of Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council***provided the maximum aid intensity rates set out in Annex III of Regulation EU 2021/1139 are respected.
______________
(*) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1894 of 27 July 2026 providing for emergency financial support for the farmers affected by specific problems impacting on their economic viability arising from the Middle East crisis (OJ L, 2026/1894, 29.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/1894/oj.
(**) Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 (OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj).
(***) Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 (OJ L 247, 13.7.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1139/oj).’;
(13) point 66 is amended as follows:
(a) point b is replaced by the following:
‘b. the aid is granted by 30 June 2027(*);
______________
(*) By way of derogation, when the aid is granted only after an ex-post verification of the supporting documentation of the beneficiary and the Member State decides not to include the possibility to grant advance payments in line with point (67), aid may be granted within three months after the end of the eligible period of the scheme and no later than 30 September 2027.’;
(b) in point c, footnote (43) is replaced by the following:
‘If the aid is granted in the form of a tax advantage, the tax liability in relation to which that advantage is granted must have arisen no later than 30 June 2027 or with regard to tax periods ending before or on 30 June 2027.’;
(c) point d is replaced by the following:
‘d. the aid covers a portion up to 70 % of the extra-costs derived from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis, when the relevant market benchmark price for fuel is above the applicable historical benchmark price identified by the Member State, based on reasonable assumptions and recognised indices. The aid is granted for the eligible period as of 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027 at the latest, on the basis of either the beneficiary’s current or latest pre-crisis fuel consumption;’
(14) in point 67, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The granting authority establishes a process to verify the beneficiary’s compliance with the relevant requirements ex-post on the basis of actual beneficiary’s data and claws back any aid amounts that do not meet the criteria no later than six months after the eligible period of the scheme has ended; within the same timeline the granting authority may also complement the aid amount in case the beneficiaries received less than what it could actually receive under the scheme.’;
(15) point 68 is replaced by the following:
‘(68) As an alternative to point (66)d, and provided that all other conditions in point (66) are met, Member States may calibrate individual aid amounts, in order to ensure proportionality, on elements like the size and type of beneficiaries’ activities, a general estimate of fuel consumption in the sector, or other relevant proxies such as number of vehicles operated, provided the overall nominal amount of aid granted under this Section 2.1 does not exceed EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period as from 1 March 2026 to 31 December 2026, and EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.’;
(16) point 70 is amended as follows:
(a) point (b) is replaced by the following:
‘b. the aid is granted by 30 June 2027(*);
______________
(*) By way of derogation, when the aid is granted only after an ex post verification of the supporting documentation of the beneficiary and the Member State decides not to include the possibility to grant advance payments in line with point (71), aid may be granted within three months after the end of the eligible period of the scheme and no later than 30 September 2027.’;
(b) in point c, footnote (47) is replaced by the following:
‘If the aid is granted in the form of a tax advantage, the tax liability in relation to which that advantage is granted must have arisen no later than 30 June 2027 or with regard to tax periods ending before or on 30 June 2027.’;
(c) point d is replaced by the following:
‘d. the aid covers a portion up to 70 % of the extra-costs derived from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis, when the relevant market benchmark price for fuel is above the applicable historical benchmark price identified by the Member State, based on reasonable assumptions and recognised indices. The aid is granted for the eligible period as of 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027 at the latest, on the basis of either the beneficiary’s current or latest pre-crisis fuel consumption;’;
(17) in point 71, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The granting authority establishes a process to verify the beneficiary’s compliance with the relevant requirements ex-post on the basis of actual beneficiary’s data and claws back any aid amounts that do not meet the criteria no later than six months after the eligible period has ended. Within the same timeline the granting authority may also complement the aid amount in case the beneficiaries received less than what it could actually receive under the scheme.’;
(18) point 72 is replaced by the following:
‘(72) As an alternative to point (70)d, and provided that all other conditions in point (70) are met, Member States may calibrate individual aid amounts, in order to ensure proportionality, on elements like the size and type of beneficiaries’ activities, a general estimate of fuel consumption in the sector, or other relevant proxies such as number of vehicles operated, provided the overall nominal amount of aid granted under this Section 2.1 does not exceed EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 March 2026 to 31 December 2026, and EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.’;
(19) in point 74, the first sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The following derogations from points (120) and (125) CISAF apply until 30 June 2027.’
(20) points 80 and 81 are replaced by the following:
‘(80) The Commission applies this Communication from its date of adoption, including to measures notified prior to that date. The Commission will apply this Communication until 30 June 2027.
(81) In accordance with the Commission notice on the determination of the applicable rules for the assessment of unlawful State aid (53), the Commission applies this Communication if the aid was granted between 1 March 2026 and 30 June 2027.’

This draft has not been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission. Any views expressed are preliminary views of the Commission services and may not in any circumstance be regarded as an official position of the Commission.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
Amendment to the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework
Introduction
(1) On 29 April 2026 the Commission adopted its Communication on the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF) (1).
(2) In the METSAF, the Commission noted Europe’s exposure to the economic effects of the Middle East crisis and in particular the rise in fuel and fertiliser prices, as well as significant price spikes on the wholesale electricity markets. The Commission also identified the primary production of agricultural products, the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products, certain modes of land transport, as well as intra-Union short sea shipping as economic sectors that are most exposed to the impact of these price rises. In addition, the Commission observed that in light of significant price spikes for wholesale electricity, further flexibility for electricity price relief under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) (2) was warranted.
(3) The situation in the Middle East remains uncertain, with a continued impact on global energy prices. Since the adoption of the METSAF, prices for fuel and fertilisers, as well as wholesale electricity prices, have remained highly volatile, reaching new price peaks for diesel in autumn 2026. The Commission considers that the economic situation underpinning the need for the METSAF remains materially unchanged.
(4) The Commission acknowledges that prices for fuels and fertilisers are affected in several ways by the situation in the Middle East, including increases in global freight costs. With its focus on reducing the effective costs borne by the consumers in the sectors in scope, METSAF provides sufficient flexibility to also address those effects, further underlining the need to prolong its application. As the METSAF provides for the possibility of Member States to adjust individual aid amounts based on general estimates or relevant proxies, the Commission considers that a new funding period is necessary to address the additional needs during the extended time of application.
(5) The European Council has also underlined the critical importance of tackling high energy prices in the current geopolitical context in particular affecting vulnerable sectors and the need for a coordinated European response of targeted and temporary measures. In this context the European Council welcomed the intention of the Commission to prolong the application of the METSAF (3).
(6) The Commission has also consulted Member States on their views regarding the ongoing need for temporary crisis measures under the METSAF.
(7) On this basis, the Commission has decided to prolong the application of the METSAF until 30 June 2027.
(8) By prolonging the METSAF until 30 June 2027, Member States may continue to support the primary agriculture and fishery and aquaculture sectors, ensuring that the crisis does not create additional liquidity risks in those sectors. Given that those sectors consist mainly of micro and small enterprises, specific State aid rules provide a wide range of possibilities to support companies facing adverse events. For example, under the applicable Block Exemption Regulations (4), those sectors may be supported in a flexible and swift manner in the event of natural disasters or other climatic events that can be assimilated to a natural disaster.
(9) As outlined in the AccelerateEU Communication (5), any national measures should be consistent with Member States’ commitments under the Union fiscal framework.
AMENDMENTS TO THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS TEMPORARY STATE AID FRAMEWORK
(10) Point 61 is amended as follows:
(a) point b is replaced by the following:
‘b. the aid is granted by 30 June 2027 (*);’
______________
(*)By way of derogation, when the aid is granted only after an ex post verification of the supporting documentation of the beneficiary and the Member State decides not to include the possibility to grant advance payments in line with point (62), aid may be granted within three months after the end of the eligible period of the scheme and no later than 30 September 2027.’;
(b) in point c, footnote (37) is replaced by the following:
‘If the aid is granted in the form of a tax advantage, the tax liability in relation to which that advantage is granted must have arisen no later than 30 June 2027 or with regard to tax periods ending before or on 30 June 2027.’
(c) point d is replaced by the following:
‘d. the aid covers a portion up to 70 % of the extra-costs derived from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis, when the relevant market benchmark price for fuel or fertiliser, as applicable, is above the applicable historical benchmark price identified by the Member State, based on reasonable assumptions and recognised indices. The aid is granted for the eligible period as of 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027 at the latest, on the basis of either the beneficiary’s current or latest pre-crisis fuel consumption and fertiliser consumption; (*)
______________
(*) Fertiliser consumption can be estimated by reference to average consumption per area.’;
(11) in point 62, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The granting authority establishes a process to verify the beneficiary’s compliance with the relevant requirements ex-post on the basis of actual beneficiary’s data and claws back any aid amounts that do not meet the criteria no later than six months after the eligible period of the scheme has ended. Within the same timeline the granting authority may also complement the aid amount in case the beneficiary received less than what it could actually receive under the scheme.’;
(12) points 63 and 64 are replaced by the following:
‘(63) As an alternative to point (61)d, and provided that all other conditions in point (61) are met, Member States may calibrate individual aid amounts, in order to ensure proportionality, on elements like the size and type of beneficiaries’ activities, a general estimate of fuel or fertiliser consumption in the sector, or other relevant proxies such as number of vehicles or fleet segments, or size of land used for the primary production of agricultural products, provided the overall nominal amount of aid granted under this Section 2.1 does not exceed EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 March 2026 to 31 December 2026, and EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.
(64) Aid for undertakings active in the primary production of agriculture products, falling within the scope of this Communication, may be cumulated with support granted on the basis of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1894* and of Article 78b of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council** up to 100% of the same eligible costs. Aid to undertakings active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products falling within the scope of this Communication may be cumulated with support granted on the basis of Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council***provided the maximum aid intensity rates set out in Annex III of Regulation EU 2021/1139 are respected.
______________
(*) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1894 of 27 July 2026 providing for emergency financial support for the farmers affected by specific problems impacting on their economic viability arising from the Middle East crisis (OJ L, 2026/1894, 29.7.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/1894/oj.
(**) Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 (OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj).
(***) Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 (OJ L 247, 13.7.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1139/oj).’;
(13) point 66 is amended as follows:
(a) point b is replaced by the following:
‘b. the aid is granted by 30 June 2027(*);
______________
(*) By way of derogation, when the aid is granted only after an ex-post verification of the supporting documentation of the beneficiary and the Member State decides not to include the possibility to grant advance payments in line with point (67), aid may be granted within three months after the end of the eligible period of the scheme and no later than 30 September 2027.’;
(b) in point c, footnote (43) is replaced by the following:
‘If the aid is granted in the form of a tax advantage, the tax liability in relation to which that advantage is granted must have arisen no later than 30 June 2027 or with regard to tax periods ending before or on 30 June 2027.’;
(c) point d is replaced by the following:
‘d. the aid covers a portion up to 70 % of the extra-costs derived from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis, when the relevant market benchmark price for fuel is above the applicable historical benchmark price identified by the Member State, based on reasonable assumptions and recognised indices. The aid is granted for the eligible period as of 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027 at the latest, on the basis of either the beneficiary’s current or latest pre-crisis fuel consumption;’
(14) in point 67, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The granting authority establishes a process to verify the beneficiary’s compliance with the relevant requirements ex-post on the basis of actual beneficiary’s data and claws back any aid amounts that do not meet the criteria no later than six months after the eligible period of the scheme has ended; within the same timeline the granting authority may also complement the aid amount in case the beneficiaries received less than what it could actually receive under the scheme.’;
(15) point 68 is replaced by the following:
‘(68) As an alternative to point (66)d, and provided that all other conditions in point (66) are met, Member States may calibrate individual aid amounts, in order to ensure proportionality, on elements like the size and type of beneficiaries’ activities, a general estimate of fuel consumption in the sector, or other relevant proxies such as number of vehicles operated, provided the overall nominal amount of aid granted under this Section 2.1 does not exceed EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period as from 1 March 2026 to 31 December 2026, and EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.’;
(16) point 70 is amended as follows:
(a) point (b) is replaced by the following:
‘b. the aid is granted by 30 June 2027(*);
______________
(*) By way of derogation, when the aid is granted only after an ex post verification of the supporting documentation of the beneficiary and the Member State decides not to include the possibility to grant advance payments in line with point (71), aid may be granted within three months after the end of the eligible period of the scheme and no later than 30 September 2027.’;
(b) in point c, footnote (47) is replaced by the following:
‘If the aid is granted in the form of a tax advantage, the tax liability in relation to which that advantage is granted must have arisen no later than 30 June 2027 or with regard to tax periods ending before or on 30 June 2027.’;
(c) point d is replaced by the following:
‘d. the aid covers a portion up to 70 % of the extra-costs derived from market developments directly affected by the Middle East crisis, when the relevant market benchmark price for fuel is above the applicable historical benchmark price identified by the Member State, based on reasonable assumptions and recognised indices. The aid is granted for the eligible period as of 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2027 at the latest, on the basis of either the beneficiary’s current or latest pre-crisis fuel consumption;’;
(17) in point 71, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The granting authority establishes a process to verify the beneficiary’s compliance with the relevant requirements ex-post on the basis of actual beneficiary’s data and claws back any aid amounts that do not meet the criteria no later than six months after the eligible period has ended. Within the same timeline the granting authority may also complement the aid amount in case the beneficiaries received less than what it could actually receive under the scheme.’;
(18) point 72 is replaced by the following:
‘(72) As an alternative to point (70)d, and provided that all other conditions in point (70) are met, Member States may calibrate individual aid amounts, in order to ensure proportionality, on elements like the size and type of beneficiaries’ activities, a general estimate of fuel consumption in the sector, or other relevant proxies such as number of vehicles operated, provided the overall nominal amount of aid granted under this Section 2.1 does not exceed EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 March 2026 to 31 December 2026, and EUR 50 000 per undertaking for the period from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.’;
(19) in point 74, the first sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The following derogations from points (120) and (125) CISAF apply until 30 June 2027.’
(20) points 80 and 81 are replaced by the following:
‘(80) The Commission applies this Communication from its date of adoption, including to measures notified prior to that date. The Commission will apply this Communication until 30 June 2027.
(81) In accordance with the Commission notice on the determination of the applicable rules for the assessment of unlawful State aid (53), the Commission applies this Communication if the aid was granted between 1 March 2026 and 30 June 2027.’