The European Commission has published new guidelines under which banks which receive state help must show they have a viable future without further support.
Banks which receive assistance must pay some of their restructuring costs and may have to sell assets and hold back on acquisitions.
An EU statement said: "We need to make banks viable again without state support and re-invigorate competition."
The BBC reports it has so far cleared 70 rescues by European nations.
The commission also said it would take account the financial crisis when assessing bank restructuring plans.
The new rules will be in force until the end of December 2010.
The commission earlier agreed to restructuring plans by Commerzbank and WestLB of Germany that included reducing their balance sheets.
