On Wednesday, 22 October 2025, the Hellenic Competition Commission proceeded with the priority examination and assignment to a competent Rapporteur of the ex officio investigation into the market for the provision of organized school excursions/visits/trips, pursuant to Article 15 of Law 3959/2011 on the protection of free competition, as in force.

The ex officio investigation of the Hellenic Competition Commission concerns 

(a) an alleged horizontal (cartel) collusion among undertakings active in the organization of such excursions and/or 

(b) the facilitation of such horizontal collusion (“cartel facilitator”), 

in breach of the provisions of Article 1 of Law 3959/2011 and Article 101 TFEU

For the purpose of the ex officio investigation, the Directorate-General carried out in January 2024 unannounced on-site inspections at undertakings, operating in the above market and subsequently sent requests for information and conducted sworn witness statements.

Legal Framework

The Hellenic Competition Commission, enforces competition rules under Law 3959/2011 and Articles 101 and 102 TFEU.

• Articles 1 of Law 3959/2011 and 101 TFEU prohibit agreements between undertakings (agreements, decisions by associations of undertakings, or concerted practices) which have as their object or effect the restriction of competition.
• Article 1A of Law 3959/2011 prohibits unilateral practices that constitute an invitation to a prohibited collusion and the disclosure of future pricing intentions for products and services to competitors.
• Articles 2 of Law 3959/2011 and 102 TFEU prohibit the abuse of a dominant position.

Next Steps

The assignment of a case to a Rapporteur triggers the time limits set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 15 of Law 3959/2011 for the issuance of a decision. However, this does not prejudge the content of either the Rapporteur’s report or the decision of the Hellenic Competition Commission. The statutory deadline is indicative, and the duration of the examination of each case depends, among other factors, on its complexity, the volume of the administrative file, as well as the number and the degree of cooperation of the undertakings under investigation.