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 (670 total)
- H&M Hennes & Mauritz Online Shop A.B. & Co. KG (Germany) – €35.3M – Oct 2020
- Court case 1 K 584/19.MZ (Germany) – court ruling – Sept 2020
- Claimant: Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen und Verbraucherverbände - Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. (vzbv) (Germany) – court ruling – Sept 2020 | Cookies Placed Before Consent, Pre-ticked Consent Boxes, Third-Party Cookies Without Consent, Unclear Cookie Information
- Court case 2-03 O 48/19 (Germany) – court ruling – Sept 2020
- Court case 2-03 O 282/19 (Germany) – court ruling – Sept 2020
- Court case 1 K 90.19 (Germany) – court ruling – Aug 2020
- Court case VerfGH Lv 15/20 (Germany) – court ruling – Aug 2020
- Court case 7 CE 20.1822 (Germany) – court ruling – Aug 2020
- Inn with Hotel (name not mentioned) V. A public authorty responsible for food quality control (name not mentioned) (Germany) – court ruling – Aug 2020
- Court case RN 9 K 19.1061 (Germany) – court ruling – Aug 2020
- Court case BGH VI ZR 405/18 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case BGH VI ZR 476/18 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case 11 LA 104/19 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case 1 K 473/19.MZ (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case 1 L 134/20 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case 14 U 150/23 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case 2 LB 565/17 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Gambling hall operator (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case OVG 3 S 24/20 (Germany) – court ruling – Jul 2020
- Court case 1 S 1739/20 (Germany) – court ruling – Jun 2020
- Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse ('AOK') (health insurance company) (Germany) – €1.2M – Jun 2020
- Google (Germany) – court ruling – Jun 2020
- Court case 10 Sa 2130/19 (Germany) – court ruling – Jun 2020
- Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen und Verbraucherverbände – Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e. V. (Germany) – court ruling – May 2020 | Pre-ticked Consent Boxes
- Court case 1 BvR 1873/13, 1 BvR 2618/13 (Bestandsdatenauskunft II) (Germany) – court ruling – May 2020