Regional investment aid is a form of state aid intended to support investment in regions with a lower level of economic development. Its aim is to level out differences between territories, which is why the maximum intensity of aid varies by region and is set out in the so-called regional aid map approved by the European Commission. In Slovakia, this means in practice that the same project will receive significantly lower support in the Bratislava Region than in the east of the country, or may not be eligible there at all. What is supported is an initial investment – the establishment of a new operation, an increase in capacity, diversification of production, or a fundamental change in the production process. Ordinary renewal of worn-out assets is not considered an initial investment. A further condition is the applicant's own financial contribution and the retention of the investment in the region for a set period; early sale or transfer of the assets leads to the aid being repaid.
See also: State aid, Aid intensity, Incentive effect.
