Greece’s Competition Commission conducted a surprise raid on April 30 at a private education company as part of an ongoing investigation into possible price-fixing practices within the tutoring sector, the authority announced.
The unannounced inspection was part of a broader inquiry into potential vertical agreements — arrangements between companies at different levels of the supply chain that could restrict competition.
In a statement, the commission clarified that such inspections do not imply any wrongdoing has occurred or that the company involved has engaged in anti-competitive behavior.
The findings of the investigation are pending.
The tutoring services market represents a significant portion of household spending in Greece. A recent study cited by the authority revealed that in 2023, spending on general education tutoring accounted for 16.2% of household education-related expenses and 0.7% of total private consumption.
These expenditures surged by approximately 35% between 2021 and 2023, indicating a sharp rise in cost pressures on Greek families.
The Competition Commission, established under Law 3959/2011, is tasked with safeguarding free market operations and enforcing competition rules, including those under Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
The inspection occurs amid increased political focus on the cost of education, with Syriza and Pasok accusing the government of failing to regulate private tutoring centers, which many consider essential due to shortcomings in public education.