---
title: "GDPR Article 1: Subject-matter and objectives"
url: "https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/article-1"
type: "legal-text"
date: ""
---
# GDPR Article 1: Subject-matter and objectives

_CHAPTER I_

1. This Regulation lays down rules relating to the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and rules relating to the free movement of personal data.

2. This Regulation protects fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons and in particular their right to the protection of personal data.

3. The free movement of personal data within the Union shall be neither restricted nor prohibited for reasons connected with the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data.

## Relevant recitals

- [Recital 1](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-1): Data Protection as a Fundamental Right
- [Recital 2](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-2): Respect of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
- [Recital 3](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-3): Directive 95/46/EC Harmonisation
- [Recital 4](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-4): Data Protection in Balance with Other Fundamental Rights
- [Recital 5](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-5): Cooperation Between Member States to Exchange Personal Data
- [Recital 6](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-6): Ensuring a High Level of Data Protection Despite the Increased Exchange of Data
- [Recital 7](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-7): The Framework is Based on Control and Certainty
- [Recital 8](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-8): Adoption into National Law
- [Recital 9](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-9): Different Standards of Protection by the Directive 95/46/EC
- [Recital 10](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-10): Harmonised Level of Data Protection Despite National Scope
- [Recital 11](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-11): Harmonisation of the Powers and Sanctions
- [Recital 12](https://www.engagecompliance.co/law/gdpr/recital-12): Authorization of the European Parliament and the Council

Source text: EUR-Lex, Official Journal consolidated HTML (CELEX 32016R0679). Recital short titles are editorial labels from gdpr-info.eu editorial short titles (not official). Cross-checked against gdpr-info.eu (independent reproduction).