Bonn, February 24, 2026 — The German Bundeskartellamt (BKartA) has made binding commitments offered by Check24 GmbH to end the use of price parity clauses in its energy comparison platform, concluding an investigation launched in July 2025.
The German authority found that Check24 contractually prevented energy suppliers from offering electricity and gas tariffs at lower prices via other comparison portals or through their own direct sales channels than those listed on Check24. Such provisions are commonly referred to as price parity, most-favoured-nation, or best price clauses.
By accepting the commitments, the BKartA has brought the contested practice to an end while avoiding a lengthy proceeding.
Market Position And Concerns
According to market studies cited by the authority, Check24 is the most important sales channel for energy suppliers seeking to attract new customers in Germany. Around 57 percent of new electricity and gas supply contracts are concluded via online intermediation services, with approximately 60–70 percent of those transactions attributable to Check24.
Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, said: “Comparison portals make it easier for consumers to switch providers and generally promote competition. However, it is also important that there is effective competition between different comparison portals and vis-à-vis other distribution channels. If Check24, as the leading energy comparison portal in Germany, prevents energy suppliers from offering lower prices elsewhere, both other comparison portals and other distribution channels may find it harder to compete. Moreover, best price clauses weaken competitive pressure. Check24 would then be more able to increase commissions or reduce service quality without risking a loss of market share.”
The authority was concerned that such clauses could weaken competitive pressure, limit competition between comparison portals and restrict alternative sales channels.
Scope Of The Commitments
Under the binding commitments, Check24 will no longer use parity obligations in the brokerage of energy supply contracts. The commitments cover all online and offline distribution channels of energy suppliers, including their own direct sales.
Check24 has also pledged not to make contractual relationships or commission levels dependent on suppliers’ pricing behaviour in other sales channels. In addition, so-called “dimming” — meaning worse placement or visibility of tariffs due to the absence of price parity — will no longer be permitted.
Mundt added: “Following landmark decisions by German and European courts, we are entering a new phase of antitrust enforcement with regard to price parity requirements. It is clear that influencing the pricing decisions of contractual partners regularly raises competition law concerns — especially when such influence is exercised by leading providers. Intermediation services should carefully review their contractual terms in this context.”
