Application for corona-hit firms´ 4th round support begins 17 Aug

The fourth application round (March–May 2021 period) business cost support for the coronavirus-hit businesses will begin on 17 August, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release on Thursday.

The State Treasury will accept online applications from 17 August to 30 September 2021.

Companies in the sectors most affected by the coronavirus pandemic may submit an application without further justification.

Companies, whose turnover has decreased by more than 30% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can receive business cost support.

A company’s turnover in March-May 2021 will be compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The support is intended to cover the company’s fixed costs and payroll costs.

Sole entrepreneurs will be also eligible to apply for business cost support. The support amounts to at least EUR 2,000 if the conditions are met. The maximum amount of aid will remain EUR 1 million, as before.

If a company does not operate in one of the sectors defined in the decree, it must justify the need for support and provide an account of the loss of turnover due to COVID-19.

The government on Thursday issued a decree on the sectors that can apply for business cost support without providing further justification.

These are sectors where turnover has decreased by at least 10%. The number of sectors meeting this criterion has fallen from 368 in the first application round in 2020 to 221 sectors now, which signals a general economic recovery.

The listing of eligible sectors will help to take into account other reasons for a decrease in a company’s business. These may include seasonal fluctuations or declines in turnover for reasons other than COVID-19. The list of sectors is based on Tax Administration’s data on value added tax.