Hotel groups in 26 countries rally behind damages claims over restrictive pricing clauses, following a pivotal EU court ruling
May 29, 2025
Booking.com could soon face damages claims worth millions of euros as 26 national hotel associations across Europe prepare to support litigation against the company. This follows a significant ruling by the European Court of Justice, which found that Booking.com’s price parity clauses – contractual restrictions that prevent hotels from offering cheaper rates elsewhere – may reduce competition, though they are not automatically illegal under EU law. The ruling has reinvigorated long-standing grievances among hoteliers about the platform’s pricing power.
Key takeaways
- Legal Action Brewing: Hotel associations across 26 European countries, backed by umbrella organization HOTREC, are preparing damages claims against Booking.com.
- EU Court Ruling: The ECJ judged that price parity clauses can limit competition but are not per se anti-competitive under EU law.
- Scope of the Case: The ruling stems from a case in a Dutch court involving parity clauses in Germany between 2006–2016. Final judgment on their legality is pending in Amsterdam.
- Booking.com Responds: The company insists the court did not find its clauses anti-competitive and says it hasn’t been informed of any broad legal action.
- Deadline for Action: Hotels have until July 31 to join the damages litigation effort.
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