Source: European Parliament
The Commission emphasises the importance of safeguarding all forms of cultural heritage, including religious heritage.
Under Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)[1], the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage is primarily a national responsibility. Member States have significant discretion in supporting cultural infrastructures under EU State aid rules.
Funding for the maintenance of non-commercial cultural sites is generally excluded from state aid rules, especially when it has a purely local impact and does not affect trade between Member States.
The Commission has also established rules allowing Member States to grant state aid for cultural infrastructure without prior notification or approval.
For instance, aid can be granted under Article 53 of the General Block Exemption Regulation[2] or the services of general economic interest de minimis Regulation[3], provided that the funding meets the relevant criteria.
Member States may also notify state aid measures for approval under Article 107(3)(d) of the TFEU[4], promoting culture and heritage conservation.
While EU funding mainly supports cross-border projects under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, the EU can encourage cooperation between Member States in cultural heritage conservation.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/
- [2] Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32014R0651, as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1315, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1315
- [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2832/oj
- [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A12008E107