Emergency Measures taken by Member States

COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEASURES PROVIDED BY THE SME ENVOY NETWORK

Click here for all the measures per countries

Measures taken by Member States to support SMEs (as of 26 May 2020)

• Exit strategies continue to be implemented across EU Member States. This has led to a shift in discussions on economic support measures – while initially short-term liquidity was the main issue for SMEs, the focus is now on longer-term survival. There is also the question to what extent economic support measures designed for lockdown conditions have to be continued even after re-opening, in particular for sectors such as gastronomy, which may only be able to serve a reduced number of customers.

• Implementation of existing measures remains a key topic. In some countries, business associations report that support measures require a high level of administrative burden and do not reach the companies fast enough, while other countries have reported concerns about fraudulent use of state support.

• All EU countries have offered some form of deferral or reduction of tax and social security contributions. The exact application of these measures varies. Most Member States offer the tax deferrals for all companies, although some schemes specifically target SMEs, self-employed people or companies that retain all their employees. Some schemes focus on postponing the payment of taxes for companies, other allow for earlier repayments of tax refunds from the previous year.

• Another widespread measure are financial guarantees. All Member States have developed new guarantee schemes to allow companies in financial difficulties to continue accessing finance. Some of these measures specifically target SMEs, whereas others can be used by any company affected by the crisis. Guarantees are welcome but SME associations have expressed their fear that risk-averse banks will not provide loans to SMEs despite the state guarantees. In response to this, certain countries have raised their guarantee percentage to guaranteeing 90% or even 100% of loans.

• Wage subsidies, in particular subsidising the wages of employees working shorter hours, continue to be one of the most popular measures across Member States. At least 25 countries have applied them, and it is one of the most immediately popular measures among SMEs. Across all countries, large numbers of companies have applied to use these measures for temporary lay-offs or reduced working hours. With the currently ongoing exit strategies, some countries are starting to reduce the volume of these measures.

• Direct loans are also common, with at least 15 countries setting up new loan schemes or working with banks to facilitate new loans, most of which are aimed at ensuring the cash flow of SMEs. However, reactions from SMEs show that repayable loans can be a difficult choice especially for the smallest enterprises, as they cannot currently predict their revenue for the rest of the year. A useful additional measure is therefore postponing the repayment of loans, which at least 18 countries have announced, some of them focusing on postponing repayment of existing loans and others giving out new loans with generous repayment terms.

• Direct grants/ cash injections for micro businesses and self-employed are offered by at least 14 Member States. Often, the sum is related to the size (no. of employees). They cover typically a period of 1-3 months. The situation of gig-workers (uber drivers, etc.) is still an open issue in many countries.

• From the perspective of SMEs, all these measures are welcome, but it is important that they are accessible through an easy administrative process. If loans, grants and guarantees require elaborate applications this could deter especially the smallest enterprises, who find themselves hardest hit. Several countries have by now taken up the approach advocated by SME associations to provide immediate and unbureaucratic help to the smallest enterprises. Cash injections to the self-employed and micro-enterprises with only a few employees are often paid out immediately with eligibility checks only taking place afterwards.

Share your experience

Let us know what you are doing to keep your business afloat and your staff connected. Have you benefited from government or other support? Are you still able to trade across borders freely? How are you planning for the future? How are you turning crisis into opportunity; and preparing to rebuild the European economy?

Read More (needs a link to a CPT with comments)

EXAMPLES OF SOME MEASURES TAKEN BY ONLY SELECTED MS (SO FAR):