Athens, May 22, 2025 — The Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) will convene on June 6 to assess a proposed merger that could reshape the landscape of private vocational education in Greece. The case involves Alphabet Education Single-Member S.A.’s planned acquisition of Delta Schools of Northern Greece S.A., a move regulators warn may significantly hinder market competition.
Alphabet, a major player in the Greek private education sector, operates under prominent brands such as IEK AKMI and Metropolitan College, offering vocational training and lifelong learning services. Delta, meanwhile, runs IEK Delta 360 and other similar centers, with a strong presence in Thessaloniki and across Northern Greece.
According to a formal recommendation submitted to the Commission, the merger could result in the creation of a dominant or even super-dominant entity in several key geographic markets, including Attica, Thessaloniki, and Volos. The concern arises from the combined market share of the two companies and their proximity as direct competitors.
The report identifies high entry barriers, lack of meaningful public alternatives, and a major gap between the merged entity and its next closest competitor as core risks. If approved, the deal could give the new entity the power to raise prices, lower service quality, and block competitors from growing or entering the market.
The recommendation also accuses Alphabet of failing to notify the merger in a timely manner, in breach of Greek competition law, and suggests the Commission impose a financial penalty.
While the recommendation outlines serious competition concerns, it is not binding, and the final decision rests with the Plenary Session of the Commission after reviewing all evidence and hearing the parties involved.
If the HCC accepts the recommendation, the deal could be blocked outright—a rare move that signals the watchdog’s growing scrutiny of consolidation in key sectors like education.
This case is expected to be closely watched, given its implications for market dynamics, consumer choice, and the future of private vocational training in Greece.
