Current contents of the Federal Cartel Office

Check24 commits to abandoning price parity clauses in relation to energy suppliers

24.02.2026

published on: 24.02.2026

Investigations by the Bundeskartellamt initiated in July 2025 have found that Check24 had contractual provisions in place to prevent energy suppliers from offering lower gas and electricity prices on other comparison websites or through their own sales channels than on the Check24 comparison website. Such provisions are referred to as price parity clauses, most favoured nation (MFN) clauses or best price clauses.

Check24 GmbH, based in Munich, proposed commitments to end this practice, which the Bundeskartellamt has now declared binding. This puts an end to the conduct in question and, at the same time, avoids lengthy proceedings.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: “ Comparison websites make it easier for consumers to switch suppliers, which has a generally pro-competitive effect. However, it is important that there is also effective competition between comparison websites themselves, and between comparison websites and other sales channels. Check24 is the leading energy comparison website in Germany. As such, when it prevents energy suppliers from offering lower prices elsewhere, it becomes more difficult both for other comparison websites and other sales channels to compete. Price parity clauses also weaken competitive pressure. They would make it easier for Check24 to charge higher commissions or lower its service quality without risking a loss of market share.”

The Check24 group operates comparison websites for various sectors, including gas and electricity. Consumers can use these websites to compare prices and conclude energy supply contracts directly. Check24 brokers these contracts on behalf of the respective energy suppliers. End customers can use the price comparison websites free of charge, whereas energy suppliers must to pay a commission for successfully brokered contracts.

Market studies have shown that Check24 is the most important sales channel for energy suppliers when it comes to acquiring new customers. According to these studies, around 57 per cent of new gas and electricity supply contracts in Germany are concluded using online intermediary services. Check24 accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of these contracts.

Under the commitments, Check24 will no longer use price parity clauses with regard to the brokerage of energy supply contracts in future. This covers all online and offline sales channels of energy suppliers, including direct sales. Check24 has committed not to make the contractual relationship or its commission amount dependent on the energy suppliers’ pricing on other sales channels in future. The commitments also prohibit Check24 from practising “dimming”, that is, reducing a supplier’s visibility or search ranking simply because it does not offer price parity. The full commitments (in German) are available here.

Andreas Mundt: “ After landmark decisions by German and European courts, the enforcement of competition law with regard to price parity clauses is entering a new phase. One thing is certain: When a company attempts to influence the pricing of its contractual partners, this routinely raises competition law concerns – especially if that company is a leading provider. Providers of intermediary services should therefore review their contractual terms carefully.”

German Version:

• ### Check24 verpflichtet sich zur Aufgabe von Preisparitätsklauseln gegenüber Energieversorgern

24.02.2026

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