Law on subsidies and grants

Advice at all stages in the lifecycle of a grant

The funding lifecycle covers several phases, ranging from identification of possible sources and the type of financing to be used through to the final audit.

Our support across the entire funding process minimises risk and boosts the efficiency of your project. Our proactive advice can help you to identify and overcome legal challenges at an early stage, thereby enabling optimal use of your funding.

Giving due consideration to the German Federal Budget Code (Bundeshaushaltsordnung, BHO), we take care of matters such as:

• Grant decision
• Grant procedures
• Approval of third-party funds
• State aid
• Grants from the German Federal government
• Administrative provisions

Lifecycle of a grant

Sector expertise: key to successful funding and access to third-party funds

The combination of legal expertise and industry knowledge allows projects to be implemented more efficiently. Over 15 lawyers are available to provide support at seven locations across Germany. We are not only well acquainted with the legal conditions for receiving grants from sources including the German government, we can also manage your entire grant procedure. Our understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities in your sector means that we can support your funded project in the following areas, among others:

• Energy and climate change
• Transport, infrastructure and construction
• Digital transformation and technology
• Health, pharmaceutical industry and e-health
• Security and defence
• Utilities and waste disposal

We advise both grant recipients and grant providers

Our specialised team advises recipients around applying for and using grants, and also during the subsequent audit by the grant provider. Early involvement in the development of funding programmes is a feature of our advice for providers. 

Services for grant recipients

• Advice around applying for funding
• Planning, implementing and monitoring projects in line with public funding law
• Legally compliant structuring of transactions to avoid loss of funding or subsequent claims for repayment
• Compliance and reporting to meet funding guidelines
• Countering requests for repayment, including representation in administrative and court proceedings

Services for grant providers

• Design of funding programmes
• Legal opinions on the legally sound structuring of funding programmes
• Representation in administrative and court proceedings

State aid at European level – state aid law 

Our state aid legal advice helps companies, public institutions and official bodies to navigate the complexities of EU state aid law. We advise on applying for grants from the German government and on producing proof of the appropriate use of funding.

Our objective is to ensure that our clients comply with European regulations in order to minimise legal risks, while also benefiting fully from the opportunities provided by state subsidies.

Germany

State aid