(30) En foranstaltning udgør statsstøtte, når den opfylder alle de fire karakteristiske kriterier, der er fastsat i traktatens artikel 87, stk. 1. Det betyder, at foranstaltningen skal indebære en fordel, der mindsker de omkostninger, virksomhederne normalt skal afholde, at denne fordel skal være ydet med statsmidler, at den skal påvirke samhandelen mellem medlemsstater, og at den ydes selektivt eller særskilt, dvs. at den begunstiger bestemte virksomheder eller produktioner.
(30) A measure constitutes an aid when it cumulatively satisfies the four criteria set out in Article 87(1) of the Treaty, namely: 1. the measure must confer on recipients an advantage which relieves them of charges that are normally borne from their budgets; 2. the advantage must be conferred from state resources; 3. it must affect competition and trade between Member States, and 4. it must be granted selectively or specifically, i.e. by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods.