Klarna Group plc has announced that Sweden’s Patent and Market Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on April 15, 2026, in an antitrust damages lawsuit against Google LLC and Google Ireland Limited. The case, brought by Klarna subsidiary PriceRunner International AB, seeks approximately $8.3 billion in damages, marking the largest civil claim in Swedish legal history.
A Decade of Comparison Shopping Conflict
The litigation concludes a trial that took place between October 20 and December 19, 2025. PriceRunner alleges that Google exploited its search engine dominance for over a decade to systematically demote competing price-comparison services while favoring its own product, Google Shopping. The case builds on a 2017 European Commission decision that found Google in breach of antitrust laws, a ruling that was ultimately upheld by the Court of Justice of the European Union in September 2024.
Proving Liability and Quantifying Loss
While the regulatory foundation of “abuse of dominance” has been affirmed at the EU level, the Swedish court must now determine the specific commercial damage inflicted upon PriceRunner.
- The Claim: PriceRunner argues that Google’s search manipulation caused significant financial loss by diverting traffic and revenue to Google’s integrated shopping services.
- The Counter-Argument: Google has historically defended its search practices as improvements to the user experience, though the EU’s highest court has already rejected several of these defenses regarding the underlying conduct.
- Uncertainty: Klarna has cautioned that the outcome remains uncertain and that the $8.3 billion figure should not be interpreted as a likely recovery amount.
Financial Realities of a Potential Award
Klarna’s announcement clarified that even a favorable ruling would not translate into an immediate or full cash injection for the group.
| Factor | Description |
| Appeal Risk | Any decision is subject to appeal by Google, which could extend the timeline by years. |
| Sharing Agreements | Proceeds must be shared with former PriceRunner shareholders and Klarna’s litigation funder. |
| Taxation & Fees | Any awarded damages would be subject to applicable corporate taxation. |
| Profit Forecast | Klarna emphasized that the claim does not constitute a profit forecast for the company. |
Market Implications
This verdict will be a significant test for “follow-on” antitrust damages in Europe. If the Swedish court awards even a fraction of the requested $8.3 billion, it could embolden other European tech companies to seek massive civil reparations following European Commission rulings.
For Google, a significant loss in Sweden would represent another costly chapter in its ongoing European regulatory struggles, reinforcing the financial consequences of its “self-preferencing” search algorithms.
“The outcome of the proceedings remains uncertain and no assurance can be given that PriceRunner will succeed on liability or damages.” — Klarna Group plc Press Statement.