Booking.com in court. Over 18,000 hotels are demanding compensation

Hotels are seeking compensation for financial losses incurred from 2004 to 2024 due to Booking.com's anti-competitive price parity clauses. These clauses restricted hotels from offering lower prices on other sales channels, including their own websites. The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into Booking.com regarding its practices. The total claims could reach several billion euros, making it one of the largest competition law lawsuits in Europe. The number of participating hotels has surged from 3,087 in January 2026 to 18,135. The first court hearing is expected in 2027. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of fair competition and pricing freedom for European hotels.