State Aid—Economic Instrument to Support SME

The law of the European Union as well as the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union have influenced the system and conditions for granting State aid established in Slovakia. The uniform rules regulating State aid in the EU Member States and their correct implementation in practice are the necessary precondition for proper functioning of internal market of the European Union and fair trade. The State aid policy became the economic instrument to support employment, maintaining jobs and regional development. The aim of this chapter is to point out the system of granting State aid to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Slovakia, which improves the position of recipients of State aid in the market among other competitors. On the basis of reliable facts we have been analysing the volumes of granted State aid. The analysis has been made based on the scientific literature, legislation (primary and secondary legislation EU and national legislation), case law EU and reports on State aid in Slovakia. It cannot be unequivocally stated that granted State aid would contribute to the regional development, since the differences continue to persist between regions in Slovakia.