Request for a preliminary ruling from the Nejvyšší soud (Czech Republic) lodged on 15 November 2022 — RegioJet a. s., STUDENT AGENCY k.s. v České dráhy, a.s., Správa železnic, státní organizace, Česká republika, Ministerstvo dopravy

(Case C-700/22)

(2023/C 45/15)

Language of the case: Czech

Referring court

Nejvyšší soud

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicants: RegioJet a. s., STUDENT AGENCY k.s.

Defendants: České dráhy, a.s., Správa železnic, státní organizace, Česká republika, Ministerstvo dopravy

Question referred

Must the last sentence of Article 108(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union be interpreted as meaning that a national court must, in proceedings initiated on the application of a third party (competitor), order the recipient to return aid provided in breach of that provision even though (as at the date of the court’s decision) the limitation period for the Commission’s powers pursuant to Article 17(1) of Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1589 (1) of 13 July 2015 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union has expired, due to which the aid provided is deemed, pursuant to Article 1(b)(iv) and Article 17(3) of the Regulation, to constitute existing aid?

(1)  OJ 2015 L 248, p. 9.