The Greek Competition Authority (E.A.) has decided to prioritize the examination and assign a responsible rapporteur for investigating specific practices of businesses operating in the remittance services market.

This investigation is based on a complaint regarding possible violations of Article 2 of Law 3959/2011 on the protection of free competition, as well as Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The General Directorate of Competition (GDA) is also conducting an ex officio investigation into the sector to determine if there are violations of Article 1 of Law 3959/2011 and Article 101 TFEU due to cumulative effects of exclusion through parallel networks of agreements promoting a specific brand.

The E.A., as the guardian of the proper functioning of the free market, is responsible for enforcing competition rules under Law 3959/2011 and Articles 101/102 TFEU. Article 1 of Law 3959/2011 and Article 101 TFEU prohibit agreements between businesses that have the object or effect of restricting competition. Article 1A of Law 3959/2011 prohibits unilateral practices that invite prohibited collusion and the announcement of future pricing intentions to competitors. Articles 2 of Law 3959/2011 and 102 TFEU prohibit the abusive exploitation of a dominant position.

The assignment to a rapporteur indicates that the E.A.'s investigation is at an advanced stage and triggers the deadlines outlined in paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 15 of Law 3959/2011 for decision-making. However, this does not preclude the content of the rapporteur's recommendation or the E.A.'s decision. The legal deadline is indicative, and the time taken to examine each case depends on various factors, including its complexity, the volume of the administrative file, and the number and degree of cooperation from the businesses under investigation.