Altmark Trans

The Altmark Trans case refers to a key ruling by the European Court of Justice in 2003 regarding public transport subsidies in Germany. The court determined that financial support from the government to public transport operators is not considered illegal state aid if it serves specific public service obligations without distorting competition. This ruling established criteria for how public services can be funded, ensuring that subsidies are transparent and proportionate, which helps maintain fair competition in the transport sector while allowing vital public services to operate efficiently.