On 25 February, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the draft for a revised General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), inviting stakeholders to provide input until 23 April 2026. The initiative forms part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to simplify State aid rules and align the framework with evolving market, social and technological developments.
The GBER enables Member States to grant certain categories of State aid without prior notification to, or approval from, the European Commission, provided that the measures comply with predefined compatibility conditions under Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. By exempting eligible aid from the standard approval process, the regulation aims to facilitate the timely implementation of support measures while limiting distortions of competition within the Single Market.
The draft revision reflects the outcome of a broad consultation carried out in 2025 and seeks to streamline the existing framework by addressing inconsistencies and improving clarity. For infrastructure operators, including ports and terminal companies, the GBER plays a significant role in enabling public support for investments related to infrastructure modernisation, energy transition, digitalisation and security compliance.
For FEPORT, the revision of the GBER is of particular importance as European ports are increasingly required to invest in infrastructure supporting decarbonisation, electrification, alternative fuels deployment, cybersecurity and operational resilience. These investments often generate wider public benefits while remaining capital-intensive in nature. A simplified and predictable State aid framework is therefore essential to facilitate timely support at national level and ensure that port infrastructure can continue to modernise without undermining competitiveness or the attractiveness of EU ports as locations for long-term private investment.
