Greece

The Hellenic Competition Commission is an independent authority with full investigative, decision-making, and sanctioning powers. Appeals go to the Athens Administrative Court of Appeal.

Article 1 of Law 3959/2011 prohibits horizontal cartels including price-fixing, market allocation, and bid-rigging. Major cases in construction, banking, and food sectors.

Vertical restraints are prohibited under Article 1. The HCC has investigated resale price maintenance, selective distribution, and territorial restrictions in consumer goods.

Article 2 prohibits abuse of dominant position, mirroring Article 102 TFEU. Significant cases in energy, telecoms, and port services.

Mandatory pre-notification for concentrations exceeding turnover thresholds (combined worldwide turnover of EUR 150 million and combined Greek turnover of EUR 15 million). Phase I/II review.

Full immunity or reduced fines under the HCC leniency programme. Aligned with the ECN Model Leniency Programme. The programme has yielded several cartel detections.

Settlement procedure allows fine reductions of up to 15%. Commitment decisions under Article 25A permit cases to close with binding undertakings without an infringement finding.

Fines up to 10% of worldwide turnover. Personal fines for individuals involved in cartel conduct. No criminal sanctions for antitrust violations under competition law.

Greece applies the EU Digital Markets Act. The HCC has conducted studies on digital markets and actively monitors platform competition issues.

EETT (telecoms and post), RAE (energy), and the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission exercise concurrent regulatory powers in their sectors.

The HCC conducts dawn raids with enhanced powers following ECN+ transposition. Powers include access to premises, seizure of documents, and forensic imaging of digital devices.

Private damages actions available following transposition of the EU Damages Directive. Civil courts have jurisdiction. Follow-on and standalone claims are possible.

Active member of the ECN, ICN, and OECD Competition Committee. Close cooperation with the European Commission and neighbouring Balkan authorities.

Focus on food supply chain practices, construction sector cartels, energy market conduct, and digital platform competition. Enhanced enforcement following ECN+ transposition.