2026 Comparison: Combined EU & UK GDPR Representative – Providers & Prices

• REP27 offers EU + UK designation in a single order, starting at €390/year (price verified).
• Legal obligation for companies outside EU/UK targeting these markets (Art. 27 GDPR & UK GDPR).
• Few providers cover both territories under one contract.
• Beware of hidden fees, exclusions, and separate renewals with some competitors.
• Designation must be made by a local entity in each zone (EU and UK).

Updated 23 October 2026 · 8 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 23 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

Legal Requirements: GDPR Article 27 and UK GDPR

The obligation to appoint a GDPR representative in the EU is set by Article 27 of the GDPR. It applies to any company without an establishment in the EU that offers goods or services to individuals in the EU or monitors their behavior (Art. 3(2) GDPR). Since Brexit, the UK GDPR imposes the same rule for the United Kingdom. This means that if a company outside the EU and UK targets both markets, it must appoint two representatives: one in the EU and one in the UK, each being a distinct local entity.

• Written designation mandatory (Art. 27 GDPR, Art. 27 UK GDPR)
• Representative's contact details must be published in the privacy policy (Art. 27 GDPR)
• Cooperation with authorities and forwarding data subject requests
• Maintaining a record of processing activities (Art. 30 GDPR)

The designation of the representative is an independent obligation: even if you comply with all other GDPR requirements, absence of a representative can lead to a fine up to €10,000,000 or 2% of global turnover (Art. 83(4) GDPR). For example, Locatefamily.com was fined €525,000 for lack of a representative. The designation must be documented, verifiable, and accessible to authorities and data subjects.

The representative does not replace the DPO or legal department: they act as the official contact point for authorities and data subjects, without substituting internal compliance management or substantive responses to requests.

How to Choose a Combined EU + UK GDPR Representative

Choosing a combined EU and UK GDPR representative must be based on specific criteria, as not all providers cover both territories under one contract. It is essential to check:

• Presence of local entities: The representative must be established in each zone (EU and UK). REP27, for example, has Europe Services SE (Prague) for the EU and REP27 LTD (Suffolk) for the UK, allowing simultaneous and compliant designation.
• Clarity of certificates: Certificates must be distinct, publicly verifiable, and tailored to each authority. REP27 provides two certificates with QR codes and multilingual legal texts, reducing risk of errors in privacy policies.
• Multilingual support: If you target multiple countries, choose a provider who supplies legal wording in the necessary languages (REP27 covers 8 languages).
• Administrative simplicity: One form, one invoice, and a single renewal date simplify management. This avoids renewal oversights and inconsistencies between the two zones.
• Request handling: Some providers (e.g., The DPO Centre) emphasize active request management, others (REP27) ensure forwarding within legal deadlines but substantive responses remain the client’s responsibility.

Beware: some providers cover only one territory or delegate the second to a partner, which can lead to separate renewals, repeated procedures, and inconsistencies in legal notices. Also check exclusions (high-risk sectors, request volume, etc.) and termination terms.

What Is Included, Not Included, or Charged Extra

GDPR representative offers vary greatly by provider. It is crucial to compare what is included, what is not, and what may incur additional fees. Here is a comparative table based on available information:

With REP27, the combined designation includes public verification, centralized management, and Swiss evaluation at no extra cost. Exclusions are clearly listed (high-risk sectors, request volume, etc.), helping avoid surprises. Other providers do not always specify exclusions or additional fees, so requesting a detailed quote is recommended.

Decision Matrix: Do I Need a Representative?

The need to appoint a GDPR representative depends on company location, targeted markets, and type of activity. Here is a practical decision matrix:

Examples: a US SaaS offering services to clients in France and the UK must appoint two representatives. A UK shop selling only in France needs only an EU representative. A Chinese seller on Amazon Germany and UK must appoint two representatives or prove a real subsidiary in each zone.

Immediate Purchase Checklist

1. Analyze your data flows: Do you offer goods/services or track people in the EU and/or the UK?
2. Check your establishments: Do you have a real, active subsidiary in each zone? If not, a representative is required.
3. Compare offers: Local presence, price, inclusions, exclusions, termination terms.
4. Prepare your file: Company description, data processing details, identity or registration proofs.
5. Fill out the designation form: REP27 uses a single form covering both zones.
6. Receive your certificates: Two distinct certificates, two QR codes, two legal texts for privacy policies.
7. Integrate legal notices: Add representative contact details in your privacy policy, following provided templates.
8. Plan renewal: Note the single expiration date to avoid compliance gaps.

This process ensures compliance without administrative duplication and minimal risk of errors in public documents.

What Providers Don’t Always Say

• The representative is not a DPO or legal service: At REP27, substantive request handling, legal advice, or audits are not included. The role is limited to forwarding and cooperation with authorities.
• Some providers cover only one territory: Often a provider offers only an EU or UK representative or delegates the second to a partner, leading to separate renewals and inconsistent legal notices.
• Potential additional fees: REP27 requires upgrading if requests exceed 10/year (Base). Other providers may charge extra for multilingual management, product compliance, or specific services, but these fees are not always disclosed online.
• Termination notice: REP27 requires 30 days written notice before expiry. This is common among other providers but rarely highlighted.
• Liability limitation: The representative is never responsible for overall company compliance or substantive responses to data subject requests. They act as an official relay only.
• Sector exclusions: REP27 explicitly excludes certain sectors (profiling, children, crypto, gaming, pharma, etc.), which is not always specified by competitors.

Concrete Scenarios: Obligations and Solutions

• US SaaS selling in both EU and UK: The company must appoint a representative in each zone. The simplest and most economical solution is REP27, which issues two official designations, two certificates, and two legal texts in one order, with a single renewal. Other providers may require two separate subscriptions.
• Chinese seller on Amazon Germany and UK: Obligation to appoint an EU representative (for Germany) and a UK representative (for the UK), unless having a real subsidiary in each zone. REP27 offers a combined designation suited for marketplace sellers. Hawsons provides a physical address in Dublin, useful for some sellers, but UK coverage must be verified.
• UK online shop selling only in France: Only EU representative designation is required, as the company is already established in the UK. REP27 offers an EU-only plan, but other EU-specialized providers may also be suitable.

In all cases, it is essential to check sector exclusions and request management terms, especially if handling sensitive data or operating in regulated sectors.

Steps for Combined Designation (REP27 Example)

1. Fill out a single form: Describe your company, processing activities, and contact details. One form covers both zones.
2. File verification: A REP27 operator checks data consistency and prepares two mandates from the same responses, avoiding contradictions.
3. Mandate signing: Europe Services SE (Prague) signs the EU designation, REP27 LTD (Suffolk) signs the UK designation.
4. Receive certificates: You get two distinct certificates, two QR codes for public verification, and two legal texts for your privacy policy (one for EU, one for UK).
5. Publish legal notices: Integrate the contact details of both representatives in your privacy policy, following provided templates.
6. Single renewal: Both designations expire on the same date and are renewed together, avoiding compliance gaps due to oversight or administrative lag.

This process ensures simultaneous compliance with both regimes while simplifying administrative management and external verification.

Risks, Fines, and Audits

Lack of a GDPR representative exposes the company to significant financial and reputational risks. According to Article 83(4) GDPR, fines can reach €10,000,000 or 2% of global turnover, whichever is higher. The Locatefamily.com case (€525,000 fine) shows authorities actively check for representative presence and compliance of legal notices.

Audits may focus on:

• Presence of the representative in the privacy policy
• Representative’s ability to forward requests within deadlines
• Maintenance of processing records (Art. 30 GDPR)
• Consistency of documents between EU and UK

Even a purely formal breach can trigger sanctions. It is therefore essential to choose a reliable provider, publish correct notices, and renew designations without interruption. The representative is never responsible for overall compliance but is a prerequisite for lawful activity in EU and UK markets.