European Commission approves €4.5m German aid for fisheries

The European Commission has approved a €4.5 million German state aid scheme to support the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The measure is designed to help companies manage rising fuel costs resulting from the crisis in the Middle East.

Under the program, German companies involved in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products can receive direct grants. The aid will cover up to 70% of the estimated increase in fuel costs incurred between March 1 and July 23, 2026, with a maximum of €50,000 per company. The scheme is scheduled to remain available until December 31, 2026.

The German government submitted the plan under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), which was established by the European Commission in April 2026. This framework allows EU member states to provide targeted relief to vulnerable sectors, including agriculture, transport, and energy-intensive industries, to mitigate economic shocks caused by the conflict.