Best Providers for EU and UK GDPR Representatives: 2026 Comparison

• Article 27 GDPR/UK GDPR requires non-EU/UK companies to appoint a local representative.
• REP27 offers combined EU and UK representation from €390/year (price_verified_on_source_page).
• Competitor prices: EU Shield €490/year, Janus Compliance £349/year, Euverify £41/month, Gabsor $79/month.
• REP27 provides signed designations, certificates, multilingual request desk, but not legal advice or DPO services.
• Not all companies need a representative—exemptions apply for occasional or low-risk processing.
• Choosing a provider: check establishment, price, included services, and renewal terms.

Updated 16 October 2026 · 9 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 16 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

What the Law Requires: Article 27 GDPR & UK GDPR

Article 27 of the EU GDPR and UK GDPR imposes a critical obligation on companies not established in the EU or UK but offering goods or services to individuals in those territories, or monitoring their behavior. These companies must appoint a representative established in the respective territory. This requirement applies to both data controllers and processors. The representative acts as a local contact point for data subjects and supervisory authorities, but does not assume the controller’s or processor’s legal responsibilities under the GDPR.

• The appointment must be in writing, and the designation must be documented and available to authorities on request.
• Failure to appoint a representative is a standalone infringement, with fines up to €10 million or 2% of worldwide turnover, whichever is higher (see GDPR Article 83).
• Exemptions exist for companies whose processing is occasional, non-systematic, and unlikely to result in a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms. Public authorities and bodies, and those processing for journalistic, artistic, or literary purposes, are also exempt.
• Since Brexit, the UK GDPR is a separate regime. A company selling or monitoring in both the EU and UK must appoint a representative in each territory, with separate legal entities and documentation.

For example, a US SaaS company tracking EU and UK users must appoint two representatives—one in the EU, one in the UK. Failing to do so, as in the Locatefamily.com case, can result in significant fines. The representative must be accessible and able to forward requests from data subjects or authorities within the required timeframes.

How to Choose a GDPR Representative Provider

Choosing the right GDPR representative provider is a compliance-critical decision. Here’s what to consider:

• Physical Establishment: The provider must be legally established in the EU for EU representation and in the UK for UK representation. Most providers cover only one territory; REP27 is among the few with entities in both.
• Combined or Separate Service: If you need both EU and UK representation, a combined provider like REP27 can simplify onboarding, billing, and compliance. Buying separately often means double the paperwork, two renewal dates, and a higher total cost.
• Price and Renewal Terms: Compare annual and monthly fees, what’s included, and whether renewal prices increase or decrease. REP27’s renewal price is lower than the initial fee, and switching from another provider is not penalized.
• Included Services: Look for signed designations, verifiable certificates, multilingual request desks, privacy notice wording, and Article 30 record holding. Some providers include professional liability coverage or compliance badges.
• Exclusions: Most providers, including REP27, do not offer legal advice, DPO services, or compliance audits. They forward requests but do not answer on the merits.

Practical tip: Always verify what is actually included in the published price. Some providers limit the number of forwarded requests or charge extra for additional services. For example, REP27’s Base plan includes up to 10 requests per year; unlimited requests require the Standard plan.

Consider your business model: If you sell on multiple marketplaces or operate in both the EU and UK, a provider offering a single onboarding and renewal can save time and reduce the risk of lapsed compliance.

What the Price Really Includes: Provider Comparison

Understanding what you get for your fee is essential. Here’s a detailed comparison of what’s included, not included, and any extra fees for each provider (where data is available):

For REP27, the Base plan covers up to 10 requests per year; the Standard plan offers unlimited requests and Article 30 record holding. The Multi plan adds product compliance roles under GPSR and CE marking. All plans exclude legal advice, DPO, or compliance audits. Other providers’ exclusions and extra fees are not fully disclosed; always confirm before purchase.

VAT is excluded from all listed prices and applies only to EU clients without a valid VAT number. Non-EU clients are outside the scope of Czech VAT at REP27.

Hidden Costs and Exclusions

When budgeting for GDPR representative services, it’s vital to look beyond the headline price. Here are common hidden costs and exclusions:

• Request Limits: REP27’s Base plan includes up to 10 forwarded requests per year; unlimited requests require the Standard plan. Other providers may have similar limits or charge per request (details on request).
• VAT and Tax: REP27 excludes VAT for non-EU clients and applies reverse charge for EU clients with a valid VAT number. Some providers may add VAT or other taxes depending on your location.
• Renewal Price Changes: REP27’s renewal price is lower than the initial fee. Always check if renewal prices increase with other providers.
• Switching Fees: REP27 does not charge extra for switching from another provider; others may have onboarding or transfer fees (not specified for all).
• Exclusions: Legal advice, DPO services, and compliance audits are almost never included. The representative’s role is strictly to forward requests and act as a contact point—not to answer requests on your behalf or assume liability.

Notice periods and cancellation terms are not always clear; check your provider’s contract for details. Also, be aware that some providers may not support certain high-risk or regulated industries (e.g., REP27 does not accept adult content, gambling, cryptoassets, or pharmaceuticals).

Summary: Always request a full list of included and excluded services and clarify renewal and cancellation terms before appointing a provider.

How Appointment Works: Step by Step

Appointing a GDPR representative is a structured process. Here’s how it typically works, using REP27 as an example:

1. Assess Applicability: Confirm that Article 27 applies to your business (see decision matrix below).
2. Choose Provider: Select a provider established in the required territory (EU, UK, or both).
3. Onboarding Form: Complete a form with company details, processing description, and contact information. With REP27, one form covers both EU and UK if needed.
4. Document Review: The provider reviews your submission to ensure all information is complete and compliant.
5. Designation Issued: The provider countersigns the designation(s) and issues signed documents, certificates, and privacy notice wording. REP27 provides two certificates and two verification codes for combined orders.
6. Update Privacy Notice: Add the provided wording to your privacy policy. If you have both EU and UK designations, you must list both entities separately.
7. Internal Records: Update your Article 30 records and internal documentation to reflect the appointment.
8. Ongoing Compliance: Forward any data subject or authority requests to your representative as required. Monitor renewal dates to avoid lapses.

For combined services (EU+UK), REP27 synchronizes renewal dates and documentation, reducing administrative burden. Switching providers is a document exercise: appoint the new provider, update your privacy notice, and terminate the old designation. No legal gap occurs if managed promptly.

Risks and Fines for Non-Compliance

Appointing a GDPR representative is not optional if Article 27 applies. Non-compliance carries significant risks:

• Fines: Supervisory authorities can impose fines up to €10 million or 2% of worldwide annual turnover, whichever is higher (see GDPR Article 83).
• Enforcement Example: Locatefamily.com was fined €525,000 by the Dutch authority solely for failing to appoint an EU representative.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: Marketplaces and clients increasingly require proof of a valid representative before onboarding or continuing business relationships.
• Continuing Liability: The representative is a contact point only. Your company remains liable for all GDPR obligations and enforcement actions.
• Operational Risks: Lapsed designations due to missed renewals or provider changes can leave you exposed to enforcement and reputational damage.

Summary: Appointing a representative is a straightforward compliance step, but failing to do so can result in severe financial and operational consequences. Always ensure your designation is current, documented, and verifiable.

Decision Matrix: Who Needs an EU or UK GDPR Representative?

This matrix helps determine if you need an EU and/or UK GDPR representative:

Key points:

• Establishment means a real, stable presence—not just a mailbox.
• Exemptions apply only for occasional, non-systematic, and low-risk processing.
• Marketplaces often require proof of a representative for sellers outside the EU/UK.

Checklist: Steps to Appoint a GDPR Representative

1. Assess if Article 27 applies to your business (see matrix above).
2. Identify which territories (EU, UK, or both) you target.
3. Compare providers for establishment, price, and included services.
4. Prepare company and processing information (data flows, contact points).
5. Submit onboarding form and required documents to your chosen provider.
6. Review and countersign the designation(s) received.
7. Update your privacy notice with the correct wording for each territory.
8. Update internal Article 30 records to reflect the appointment.
9. Train staff on forwarding requests to the representative.
10. Monitor renewal dates and compliance obligations to avoid lapses.

Tip: For combined EU+UK representation, ensure both entities are named separately in your privacy notice to satisfy both regulators.

What Providers Usually Do Not Say

• Designation is not a compliance shield: The representative is only a contact point. Regulators can still pursue your company directly for GDPR violations.
• Legal advice and DPO services are excluded: Most providers, including REP27, do not offer legal advice, DPO services, or compliance audits as part of the representative service.
• Request limits and per-request fees: Lower-tier plans may cap the number of forwarded requests (e.g., REP27 Base: 10/year). Unlimited requests are available only on higher plans.
• Switching is administrative, not legal: Changing providers involves updating documentation and privacy notices, not legal risk, if done promptly.
• VAT and tax treatment varies: REP27 excludes VAT for non-EU clients; other providers may have different tax policies.
• Industry exclusions: REP27 does not accept clients in certain high-risk or regulated sectors (e.g., adult content, gambling, cryptoassets, pharmaceuticals, services aimed at children under 16).
• Notice periods and cancellation: Always check contract terms for renewal, cancellation, and notice requirements.

Realistic Scenarios: What Each Company Needs

• US SaaS selling to EU and UK: Must appoint both an EU and a UK representative. REP27 offers a combined service from €390/year, with one onboarding, two certificates, and synchronized renewal. This reduces administrative burden and cost compared to appointing separate providers.
• Chinese Amazon seller shipping to France and UK: Needs both EU and UK representatives to comply with marketplace requirements and local law. Combined providers like REP27 simplify compliance, especially when marketplaces request proof of both appointments.
• UK online shop selling only to UK residents: Only a UK representative is required (e.g., Janus Compliance). No EU representative is needed unless the shop targets EU customers or monitors their behavior.
• EU-based manufacturer selling to UK: Needs a UK representative for UK GDPR compliance. No EU representative is needed if established in the EU.
• Small US B2B service provider with occasional EU clients: May qualify for the exemption if processing is truly occasional, non-systematic, and low-risk. However, a risk assessment is advised, as regulators may interpret these exemptions narrowly.

In all cases, the simplest compliant route is to select a provider established in the relevant territory, ensure the correct designation is in place, and update your privacy notice and internal records accordingly.