This book deals withde minimis aid and demonstrates that it is both asui generis legal concept in the context of State aid and subject to acomplex regime.

On the one hand, it is asui generis concept in that (i)it seeks to strike a balance between simplifying the grant process and not distorting competition in the internal market, while being a tool that Member States are able to apply easily and (ii) it is subject toex ante control by Member States. On the other hand, it iscomplexin that (i) it requires determining the sectors of economic activity it applies to; (ii) a few notions specific to the regime are not easy to understand, such as the notion of 'single undertaking'; and (iii) it requires combining fourde minimis regimes (one general and three special), which in turn requires reconciling those regimes with each other and with other aid, not least because of the cumulation rules. Lastly, these particularities were also reflected in the recovery regime for unlawfulde minimis aid.

Aimed at lawyers, legal consultants and those working in undertakings as well as students, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the currentde minimis regimes and is clear and complete, while also proposing a fresh view on the area of EU State aid law.

Ricardo Pedro is Researcher at the Centro de Investigação de Direito Público (CIDP), Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.