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.
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GDPR Enforcement Actions (72 total)
- VQ (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jul 2020
- Constantin Film Verleih GmbH (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Apr 2020
- Hungary (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2020
- Deutsche Post AG (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2019
- Peter Nowak (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Dec 2017
- Valsts policijas Rīgas reģiona pārvaldes Kārtības policijas pārvalde (European Union) – cjeu ruling – May 2017
- Smaranda Bara and Others (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2015
- CJEU case T-115/13. Dennekamp II (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2015
- YS (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jul 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
- Michael Schwarz (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2013
- Worten - Equipamentos para o Lar SA (European Union) – cjeu ruling – May 2013
- European Commission (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2012
- CJEU case T-190/10 Egan Hackett (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Mar 2012
- ASNEF (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Nov 2011
- Deutsche Telekom AG (European Union) – cjeu ruling – May 2011 | Third-Party Cookies Without Consent
- EU Commission (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Mar 2010
- Rijkeboer (European Union) – cjeu ruling – May 2009
- CJEU case C-275/06 Promusicae (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Jan 2008
- CJEU case T-198/03 Bank Austria Creditanstalt (European Union) – cjeu ruling – May 2006
- European Commission (European Union) – cjeu ruling – Oct 2001