In September 2019, the Portuguese Competition Authority (“AdC”) imposed a fine of € 155,000 on Hospital Particular do Algarve (“HPA”) for gun-jumping, finding that HPA had acquired sole control of Hospital de São Gonçalo de Lagos without the AdC’s prior approval.
The AdC has recently announced that it has accepted the payment of the gun-jumping fine in several instalments in order to avoid any adverse impact on HPA’s ability to provide healthcare services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The AdC explained that by agreeing to receive payment of the fine in instalments, it maintained the continuity of competition law enforcement with a sense of responsibility towards the common good.
