What is Geo-blocking?
Geo-blocking refers to practices used by online traders to restrict online cross-border sales based on nationality, residence or place of establishment. Geo-blocking practices include: denying access to websites from other Member States, and/or situations where access to a website is granted, but the consumer from abroad is prevented from finalising the purchase or is asked to pay with a debit or credit card from a certain country. ‘Geo-discrimination’ also takes place when buying goods and services off-line, e.g. when consumers are physically present at the trader’s location but are either prevented from accessing a product or service, or they are offered different conditions due to their nationality or residence.