The Greek Competition Authority, in its decision number 887/2025 dated July 24, 2025, has blocked the acquisition of Delta by Alphabet Education. This merger was initially notified on September 17, 2024, and involved the two largest providers of vocational training services in Greece.

Alphabet operates primarily in the education sector through its subsidiaries, including Akmi, which provides vocational training and lifelong learning services. Delta also offers similar services through its own vocational training institutions. The merger would have combined the two leading providers in the private vocational training market across key regions including Attica, Thessaloniki, and Volos.

The Competition Authority's investigation revealed that the merger raised serious doubts about its compatibility with competition requirements in the relevant markets. It was determined that the new entity would hold a dominant or even a super-dominant position, significantly reducing competition and potentially leading to higher prices and lower quality of services.

During the review process, Alphabet proposed commitments to address the Authority's concerns, including behavioral measures aimed at ensuring competitive structures in the market. However, the Authority found these commitments insufficient to resolve the identified competition issues, particularly in Attica and Thessaloniki.

In the Volos market, Alphabet offered to divest Delta's branch, which could be considered a structural remedy. However, this was also deemed inadequate on its own to warrant approval of the merger, as the broader competition concerns remained unaddressed.

The full text of the decision will be published in the Government Gazette and on the Competition Authority's website.