European Commission Accepts SAP’s Commitments

The European Commission has formally tied down SAP’s proposals into legal obligations, concluding its antitrust probe into SAP’s maintenance and support services for on-premises ERP software. The commission was concerned about whether SAP’s policies would constrain customers’ freedom and make life difficult for its competitors in the field of providing support services.

The commission found that SAP’s proposals resolve the competition concerns that were raised during the investigation. These proposals will remain applicable for the coming 10 years across the globe.

Background of the Investigation

It was not until September 2025 that the European Commission began its formal investigation, which started in response to complaints about SAP’s policy that prevented customers from switching to third-party providers of support and maintenance for their SAP software. It was thought that such practices would reduce competition in the secondary market of SAP’s on-premises ERP software.

In particular, the Commission was concerned about the financial and contractual obstacles encountered by clients who decided to switch from SAP’s support or, conversely, return to SAP after switching.

What SAP Has Agreed to Change

These legal commitments will result in a number of modifications made by SAP, which are intended to grant more flexibility to its customers.

SAP will offer a new way of computing the license fee that forms the basis of the maintenance and support fee. Customers will gain access to a range of more flexible contract terms and will be able to disconnect the unused licenses from their working systems.

In addition, SAP is willing to stop charging customers with reinstatement fees for getting back to SAP's support services from other third-party providers. Another measure aimed at reducing the costs associated with switching back is the substantial reduction of back-maintenance fees. For some unsupported products, such fees will even be waived altogether.

Benefits for Customers

As per the European Commission, the new set of commitments is going to help companies working with SAP products to be more flexible about choosing the support vendors.

According to EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera, the decision has removed barriers which were adding to the cost of the customers and restricting competition in the market. “The commitments give our customers more transparency, choice, and security in dealing with their highly complex on-premises software environment,” commented SAP.

Global Impact

Even though the case was pursued under EU competition law, the commitments made by SAP would still be applicable for both existing and future customers globally. These commitments would continue to be legally binding for ten years.

Through these commitments, the European Commission would have successfully closed the case without making an infringement decision against SAP. However, non-compliance with the commitments would mean that the firm would face severe consequences in light of EU competition law.