GDPR Fines & Penalties 2026
Search GDPR fines, penalties, warnings, orders, bans, and investigations across Europe by country, action type, GDPR article, and violation category.
Frequently Asked Questions About GDPR Enforcement
Q:What types of GDPR enforcement actions exist?
GDPR enforcement actions include monetary fines (the most publicised), formal warnings, reprimands, processing bans, data erasure orders, and compliance orders. DPAs can also impose temporary or permanent limitations on data processing. Fines can reach up to EUR 20 million or 4% of annual worldwide turnover, whichever is higher, under Article 83(5) GDPR.
Q:How are GDPR fines calculated by data protection authorities?
DPAs consider factors listed in Article 83(2) GDPR: nature, gravity, and duration of the infringement; intentional or negligent character; actions taken to mitigate damage; degree of responsibility; previous infringements; degree of cooperation; categories of personal data affected; how the infringement became known; and adherence to approved codes of conduct or certification mechanisms.
Q:Can GDPR fines be appealed?
Yes, GDPR fines can be appealed through national courts. Many high-profile fines have been challenged. The appeals process varies by country. Some fines have been reduced on appeal (e.g., British Airways' fine was reduced from GBP 183 million to GBP 20 million), while others have been upheld or even increased.
Browse case links on this page
GDPR Enforcement Actions (169 total)
- CNIL (France) – cjeu ruling – Sept 2019 | Cookies Placed Before Consent, No Reject Button, Third-Party Cookies Without Consent, Unclear Cookie Information
- Fashion ID GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) – cjeu ruling – Jul 2019 | Cookies Placed Before Consent, Third-Party Cookies Without Consent, Unclear Cookie Information
- Deutsche Post AG (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2019
- Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen und Verbraucherverbände - Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. (Germany) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2019 | Pre-ticked Consent Boxes
- Workplace Relations Commission (Ireland) – cjeu ruling – Dec 2018
- CJEU case C-25/17 Jehovan todistajat (Finland) – cjeu ruling – Jul 2018
- Unabhängiges Landeszentrum für Datenschutz Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) – cjeu ruling – Jun 2018 | Cookies Placed Before Consent, Third-Party Cookies Without Consent, Unclear Cookie Information
- Peter Nowak (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Dec 2017
- Valsts policijas Rīgas reģiona pārvaldes Kārtības policijas pārvalde (European Union) – cjeu ruling – May 2017
- Camera di Commercio Lecce (Lecce Chamber of Commerce) (Italy) – cjeu ruling – Mar 2017
- Tele2 Sverige AB (Sweden) – cjeu ruling – Dec 2016
- Patrick Breyer (Germany) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2016
- Verein für Konsumenteninformation (Austria) – cjeu ruling – Jul 2016
- Smaranda Bara and Others (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2015
- Weltimmo s. r. o. (Hungary) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2015
- Maximilian Schrems (Ireland) – cjeu ruling – Jun 2015
- CJEU case T-115/13. Dennekamp II (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2015
- František Ryneš (Czech Republic) – cjeu ruling – Dec 2014
- YS (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jul 2014
- Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) (Spain) – cjeu ruling – May 2014
- Digital Rights Ireland Ltd (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Apr 2014
- CJEU case C-288/12 European Commission v Hungary (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Apr 2014
- CJEU case C-486/12 X (Netherlands) – cjeu ruling – Dec 2013
- Institut professionnel des agents immobiliers (Belgian Institute of Estate Agents) (Belgium) – cjeu ruling – Nov 2013 | Cookies Placed Before Consent
- Michael Schwarz (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2013