The many restrictions and the strict cutters in refundable advance 7, have put a brake on the submission of a large number of applications compared to previous rounds. By yesterday afternoon, 213,555 applications had been submitted, while according to the Treasury's planning, the platform will remain open until 19 April.
The fact, it is estimated, that 2 out of 3 companies may be excluded from receiving aid because they will not meet the necessary conditions, leading them to decide not to apply. Excluded from the refundable are those businesses that had a decrease in turnover below 20% in the period from January to March 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 and those that had an increase in turnover in 2020 compared to 2019. Those who had a minimum quarterly turnover below EUR 600 are also excluded.
Who can apply
An important role in the low... attendance at the myBusinessSupport It is also noted that the final criteria for the selection of beneficiaries to be granted €1 billion in state aid will be determined immediately after the first phase of applications for expressions of interest has been completed.
It is noted that the platform is open for applications from businesses that have been financially affected by the pandemic and the mandatory measures imposed in January, February and March 2021. However, the adjustment to be made to take into account that part of March 2020 was subject to restrictive measures has not yet been clarified.
Other conditions for businesses are:
- They have a minimum reference turnover of EUR 600 for the first quarter of the year.
- Businesses that started before 1 January 2018 and did not open a branch between 1 October 2019 and 31 December 2020 should not have an increase in turnover in 2020 compared to 2019. However, this condition will not apply to businesses that have been subject to restrictive measures and are directly affected under a CDR (this includes retail, catering, tourism, sports, culture, transport, gyms, hairdressing, hairdressing salons, OPAP shops, driving schools and other sectors currently subject to restrictive measures).
- New businesses that belong to the affected category and started operations between December 2019 and January 2021 and which have been excluded in one of the two previous rounds of the repayment scheme will be eligible this time, regardless of their turnover.
In 60 instalments from 2022
In this cycle too, 50% of the aid is not reimbursed, provided that the number of workers is maintained until the end of August 2021, while the remaining 50% will be reimbursed in 60 instalments from 2022. New businesses in the directly affected industries that started operations between December 2019 and January 2021 and that have been excluded in either of the two previous cycles of the repayment will be included. These businesses will be eligible, regardless of turnover. However, if they were assisted from the 5th and 6th repayment cycle, then the amount of aid will be based on the percentage reduction in turnover.
OPAP agencies and driving schools will also participate in the aid.
There will also be provision for increased thresholds for businesses that have been subject to restrictive measures and are directly affected (those mentioned above, including retail), €1,000 with no employees, €2,000 with up to 5 employees, €4,000 with up to 20 employees and €8,000 for more than 20 employees.
