Greek market regulators have imposed fines exceeding €1 million on five companies for violating legally mandated limits on profit margins, following extensive inspections carried out between 2023 and 2025.
The penalties, totaling €1.05 million, were issued by the Independent Authority for Market Control and Consumer Protection after audits conducted by the Interagency Market Control Unit (DIMEA). The checks focused on compliance with a temporary cap on gross profit margins, introduced under emergency legislation to curb price gouging during the cost-of-living crisis.
According to the authority, the inspections covered 3,168 product codes, with violations identified in 65 cases, where companies exceeded the permitted profit margin compared with levels in place before December 31, 2021.
The fines were distributed as follows:
- Lidl Hellas: €670,925 for violations involving 26 product codes
- Nestlé Hellas: €144,700 for violations involving four product codes
- AB Vassilopoulos (supermarket chain): €109,900 for 22 product codes
- Market In: €72,370 for 12 product codes
- Flora Food Greece: €52,870 for one product code
The decisions were signed on February 6, 2026, by the head of the authority, Despina Tsangari, following DIMEA’s recommendations. Officials said the fines were imposed under legislation that remained in force until June 30, 2025.
