Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Overview of measures by target group – category: Businesses
Eurofound has identified 146 measures for this target group. Most of these measures fall into the category Supporting businesses to stay afloat (71%).
Supporting businesses to stay afloat |
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31 December 2020 Updated |
Financial Shield 2.0: Small and medium-sized enterprises
Poland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
30 December 2021 |
ESF measure Creative Vouchers COVID-19
Lithuania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
30 December 2020 Updated |
Social partners address economic challenges: Food industry and tourism
Poland, Non-binding recommendations or other texts |
11 December 2020 Updated |
COVID-19. Better conditions for particularly hard hit parts of Danish business, sports and cultural life
Denmark, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
02 December 2021 |
Bridging Loan for Starters and entrepreneurs
Netherlands, Other initiatives or policies |
02 December 2021 |
Growth Facility (GF): government guarantee on risk-bearing capital
Netherlands, Other initiatives or policies |
02 December 2021 |
Corona Bridging Loan for start-ups and scale-ups
Netherlands, Other initiatives or policies |
01 December 2020 |
LIRA books and publishing group COVID-19 experience
Hungary, Company practices |
11 November 2020 Updated |
Supports for self-employed individuals introduced in the budget
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 November 2020 |
SMEs leasing program for equipment and machinery
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
02 November 2021 |
Challenging refusals from Social Security contributions exemptions
Poland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
20 October 2021 |
Subsidies for companies in the Adapt Tourism Program
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
20 October 2020 Updated |
Working capital grants for micro and small enterprises
Greece, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
19 October 2021 |
Companies Capitalisation Fund
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
11 October 2021 Updated |
Grant for working capital for SMEs
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
11 October 2021 Updated |
Microgrant with fixed amount for SMEs
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
08 October 2021 Updated |
New legislation provides for rescue framework for small and micro companies
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 October 2021 Updated |
Recovery Programme
Bulgaria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 October 2021 |
European Commission approves €500 million Greek aid scheme for businesses
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
05 October 2020 |
Tesi’s stability programme for medium-sized companies
Finland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
02 October 2020 Updated |
Fiscal support measures to micro, small and medium businesses
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 October 2020 Updated |
New measures for entrepreneurs and growth companies
Norway, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 October 2020 |
Easing access to Innovation Norway's total framework
Norway, Other initiatives or policies |
24 September 2020 |
COVID-19: State aid for agriculture
Bulgaria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
10 September 2020 |
SMEs memorandum on saving businesses, maintaining jobs and ensuring social cohesion
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
28 August 2020 |
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) issue new loan scheme
Ireland, Other initiatives or policies |
05 August 2021 |
Subsidy for catering companies to purchase heating equipment for outdoor services
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
05 August 2021 |
SME subsidy for the development of online e-retail
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
05 August 2021 |
Subsidy to Existing Businesses of Gyms, Playgrounds
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
04 August 2021 |
Working capital subsidy for companies affected by the pandemic in the tourism and hospitality sector – Restart Tourism
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
24 July 2020 |
Enterprise Ireland/IDA Sustaining Enterprise Scheme
Ireland, Other initiatives or policies |
20 July 2021 Updated |
Financial Shield 1.0 for microfirms and SMEs - some subsidies to be returned
Poland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
17 July 2020 Updated |
Grant support for micro and small enterprises
Bulgaria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 July 2020 Updated |
Subsidy for fixed costs for SMEs
Netherlands, Other initiatives or policies |
11 July 2021 Updated |
Ombudsman for SMEs asks to enable companies to appeal decisions on aid
Poland, Other initiatives or policies |
10 July 2020 Updated |
Grants for SMEs and entrepreneurs in tourism, accommodation, catering, travel and commerce sectors
Estonia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 July 2020 Updated |
The Bounce Back Loan Scheme
United Kingdom, Other initiatives or policies |
07 July 2021 |
Temporary support for farmers and SMEs affected by the pandemic
Cyprus, Other initiatives or policies |
07 July 2020 Updated |
Microinvest Cash Conversion
Malta, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 July 2020 |
Deferment of payment for utilities and rent for SMEs
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
03 July 2020 |
New support package for the economy
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
02 July 2021 |
"Fund of Funds": access to loans for recovery
Bulgaria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 July 2020 |
Operating loan 'Entrepreneur 2020'
Slovakia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 July 2020 |
COVID Prague guarantee: credit guarantees for SMEs in the Prague region
Czechia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
29 June 2020 |
COVID III state guarantee programme for self-employed and companies up to 500 employees
Czechia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
20 May 2022 |
Polish Investment and Trade Agency provides office space for Ukrainian businesses
Poland, Other initiatives or policies |
19 May 2022 |
Subsidies for companies strongly affected by the Ukrainian crisis
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
17 May 2021 |
Grant of working capital to catering companies for the supply of raw materials - Restart of catering
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
11 May 2022 |
Contribution to fixed costs for new entrepreneurs (Q4 2021 and Q1 2022)
Netherlands, Other initiatives or policies |
07 May 2020 Updated |
SME credit guarantee scheme (BMKB)
Netherlands, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
30 April 2020 |
Financial shield: Small and medium enterprises
Poland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
26 April 2021 |
Aid for restructuring and relaunching companies in crisis
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
26 April 2021 |
Microcredits for the self-employed and SMEs
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
26 April 2020 |
Business continuity voucher
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
26 April 2020 |
COVID-19 working capital loan scheme
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
25 April 2020 Updated |
Credit guarantee scheme for COVID-19 for SMEs
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
23 April 2020 Updated |
Interest-free loans for liquidity protection of entrepreneurs in the tourism sector
Croatia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
20 April 2020 Updated |
Increased loan facilities and credit guarantees for Swedish businesses
Sweden, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
20 April 2020 |
Hardship fund for SMEs - Upper Austria
Austria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
19 April 2020 Updated |
Baden-Württemberg: Emergency aid for businesses with up to 50 employees
Germany, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
15 April 2020 |
Relaxation of processes for obtaining credits from the General Secretariat for Industry and SMEs, and the payment of interest
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
15 April 2020 |
Credit guarantee for SMEs
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
14 April 2020 Updated |
Guarantee scheme for small companies (under 250 employees)
Denmark, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 April 2021 Updated |
COVID - SPORT Guarantee program
Czechia, Other initiatives or policies |
13 April 2020 |
New insurance coverage line for export-oriented SMEs
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 April 2020 |
Assistance in the payment of rents, water, gas and electricity bills for business premises of companies
France, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 April 2020 Updated |
Solidarity fund for very small companies, the self-employed and micro-entrepreneurs
France, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 April 2020 Updated |
Secured loans for investments or working capital for companies
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
12 April 2020 Updated |
Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme for SMEs
United Kingdom, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
12 April 2020 Updated |
Microloans for rural development
Croatia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
12 April 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 loans for variable capital for microenterprises and SMEs
Croatia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
11 April 2021 Updated |
Financial support for small and medium size companies - IMM invest
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
10 April 2020 Updated |
Guarantee fund for SMEs
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
10 April 2020 |
Loan instalments deferral for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the COVID-19 epidemic
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
10 April 2020 |
Suspension of value added tax (VAT) payment
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 April 2021 Updated |
Gefira II (Bridge II) - State contribution to the tranches for the payment of business or professional debts of all types
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
09 April 2021 |
Supporting measures for cultural operators and artists
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 April 2021 |
State sponsorship scheme for certain categories of non-VAT registered businesses and self-employed persons
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 April 2020 |
Credit Line Capitalizar 2018 – COVID-19
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 April 2020 |
Brussels: One-off grant for closed businesses
Belgium, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 April 2020 |
Wallonia: Financial support for SMEs
Belgium, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
08 April 2021 Updated |
Bridging loans for micro, small and medium sized enterprises
Netherlands, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 April 2020 Updated |
Direct participation for syndicate financing
Germany, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 April 2020 Updated |
Soft loans to provide liquidity in the most affected sectors
Lithuania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 April 2020 Updated |
KfW entrepreneur loan
Germany, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 April 2020 Updated |
KfW instant loan for medium-sized entreprises
Germany, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 April 2020 |
Compensation for interest on loan or lease payments
Lithuania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
06 April 2020 |
Emergency fund for very small businesses and self-employed persons
Luxembourg, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
03 April 2020 Updated |
Business Finland's new direct business subsidies for SMEs and midcap companies
Finland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
03 April 2020 Updated |
COVID II state guarantee programme
Czechia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
31 March 2020 Updated |
Bank guarantees for SMEs and one-person enterprises
Austria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
31 March 2020 Updated |
State support for tourism - Access to finance
Austria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
18 February 2021 Updated |
COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) targets businesses ineligible for other supports
Ireland, Other initiatives or policies |
19 January 2021 Updated |
Financial support line for micro and small tourist companies
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
18 January 2021 Updated |
New measures addressed to businesses and employment
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
17 January 2021 |
Measures to support businesses cash-flow
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 January 2022 |
Grant aid to bus carriers
Bulgaria, Other initiatives or policies |
12 January 2022 |
Utility bill reduction for SMEs
Hungary, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 January 2022 |
The next edition of the Anti-Crisis Shield comes to force in January
Poland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
08 January 2021 Updated |
Local business tax reduction and cap
Hungary, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
06 January 2021 Updated |
Capital support for SMEs - Second Phase
Bulgaria, Other initiatives or policies |
05 January 2021 |
Emergency financial support for farmers during COVID-19 pandemic
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 January 2021 |
E-Commerce Platforms' Funding via EU NSRF
Greece, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
04 January 2022 |
Liquidity support for restaurateurs and hoteliers
Bulgaria, Other initiatives or policies |
Employment protection and retention |
29 June 2020 Updated |
Special support schemes for workers and businesses
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
07 April 2020 Updated |
Special scheme for complete suspension of business
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Reorientation of business activities |
18 December 2020 |
Danish industrial companies change production to protective equipment
Denmark, Company practices |
16 December 2020 |
The state and Danish industry establish cooperation on companies' reorganisation to production of protective equipment
Denmark, Other initiatives or policies |
08 December 2020 Updated |
Foodpanda Bulgaria: Expanding services and supporting partner businesses to survive
Bulgaria, Company practices |
05 July 2021 Updated |
Restart Incentive Scheme 2021
Malta, Other initiatives or policies |
26 April 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 online retail scheme
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
26 April 2020 Updated |
Trading online voucher scheme
Ireland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
12 April 2020 |
Country for the Future - Innovation to practice (COVID) - Digitalisation and innovations
Czechia, Other initiatives or policies |
07 April 2020 |
Technology-COVID call within OPPIK
Czechia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
06 February 2021 |
Retail: “Click away” shopping during Christmas period
Greece, Company practices |
11 January 2022 |
Voucher for the purchase of consultancy services for SMEs
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 January 2021 |
Alu-company strengthens sales efforts through structured sales tools
Denmark, Company practices |
Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace |
08 December 2020 |
Lesaffre Bulgaria: Effects of the pandemic on business and changes in the way of working
Bulgaria, Company practices |
04 December 2020 |
Ficosota Bulgaria: Successful reorganisation of operations for safety of personnel
Bulgaria, Company practices |
25 April 2020 |
SME subsidy for teleworking: Region of Styria and Chamber of Labour
Austria, Other initiatives or policies |
16 April 2020 |
Subsidy for home offices - IT infrastructure
Austria, Other initiatives or policies |
13 April 2021 |
Compensated COVID-19 testing for small- and medium-sized enterprises
Lithuania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Income protection beyond short-time work |
25 April 2020 Updated |
Entrepreneur's wage (part of the company subsidy for fixed costs)
Austria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
16 April 2020 Updated |
State income benefit to support freelancers, self-employed and sole proprietors
Greece, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 April 2020 Updated |
Reclaiming of statutory sick pay by SMEs
United Kingdom, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Measures to prevent social hardship |
25 November 2020 Updated |
United against COVID-19: Campaign to fund projects for vulnerable people
Bulgaria, Other initiatives or policies |
Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery |
30 November 2020 |
Special training scheme for employees in sectors affected by the pandemic
Cyprus, Other initiatives or policies |
05 November 2020 |
Digital training of SMEs employees
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 November 2020 |
Green energy for accommodation & food businesses
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
04 November 2020 |
Employers organisation provides consulting services for SMEs to restart their business
Austria, Other initiatives or policies |
30 October 2020 |
Extraordinary plan for the economic recovery of Castilla-La Mancha due to the COVID-19 crisis
Spain, Tripartite agreements |
12 October 2021 |
Aarhus municipality establishes new initiatives with the goal of alleviating unemployment among young academics
Denmark, Other initiatives or policies |
10 September 2020 Updated |
Support for medium-sized enterprises
Bulgaria, Tripartite agreements |
09 September 2020 |
Social partners explore possible joint initiatives for COVID-19 crisis
“Support for SMEs and workers”
Greece, Non-binding recommendations or other texts |
08 September 2020 |
Special vocational and educational schemes and subsidy of wage costs
Cyprus, Other initiatives or policies |
07 July 2020 Updated |
Grant for restarting small businesses introduced
Ireland, Other initiatives or policies |
07 July 2020 |
Skills Development Scheme
Malta, Other initiatives or policies |
06 July 2021 |
Flexibilisation of labour relations for small companies
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
08 June 2021 |
Support for tourist sector
Belgium, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
08 June 2021 |
Tax Shelter COVID-19
Belgium, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
24 April 2021 |
Subsidies to encourage the hiring of older workers
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
24 April 2021 |
Financial incentives to hire unemployed on an open-ended basis
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
19 April 2021 |
Support measures within the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 April 2021 |
Restart interest-free fast loan
Hungary, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
18 January 2021 |
ADAPTAR Programme - Adaptation of business activity in the context of COVID-19
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 January 2021 Updated |
Measures for the second package for the cultural and creative sector
Netherlands, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
19 May 2022
This publication consists of individual country reports on working life during 2021 for 28 countries (the 27 EU Member States and Norway).
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16 June 2022
Throughout 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, specific occupational health and safety rules were reintroduced due to increases in infection rates.
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Back to work after COVID-19: Testing, vaccines and green certificates
In the second pandemic year 2021, access to one's place of work was increasingly dependent on providing proof of either having been tested, vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in several countries.
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.