Engage Compliance helps US tech companies enter the EU market with full GDPR compliance, EU Representative appointment, international data transfer mechanisms, and ongoing outsourced DPO support from a single provider.
An outsourced DPO is a senior data protection expert who manages the day-to-day of your privacy program: building policies, handling data subject requests, managing vendor risk, supporting enterprise deals, responding to breaches, and acting as your point of contact with regulators. You stay the controller; the DPO runs the operational work. This service is variously referred to as external DPO, virtual DPO, fractional DPO, or DPaaS (DPO as a Service). All four terms refer to the same service model: a qualified Data Protection Officer provided by an external firm on a retainer basis, rather than a full-time employee.
Key takeaways
- Most US SaaS companies can achieve EU compliance in 4-8 weeks
- You may need both a DPO and an EU Representative (we offer both as separate products and scope them together)
- We cover ongoing compliance as your named DPO after initial setup
- Engage Compliance covers US companies entering the EU, including whether you need a DPO, an Article 27 representative, or both.
What US companies face when entering the EU
US companies entering the EU market face a wall of privacy requirements: GDPR compliance, appointing an EU representative (Article 27), international data transfer mechanisms, cookie consent, and often appointing a DPO.
Most of this is manageable if you set it up correctly from the start. It becomes expensive and painful when you don’t.
You work directly with an expert DPO. Experience across 100+ startups and enterprises including Amazon, Coinbase, and Robinhood. We’ve helped US tech companies navigate EU expansion without slowing down their go-to-market.
What we handle for US to EU expansion
- GDPR gap assessment: what you need vs what you already have
- EU Representative appointment under Article 27 (we also act as your DPO where you need both)
- International data transfer assessments (Standard Contractual Clauses, Transfer Impact Assessments, and EU-US Data Privacy Framework certification guidance)
- Cookie consent and ePrivacy compliance
- Full privacy documentation tailored for EU requirements
- Ongoing DPO services if you need a named officer in the EU
- NIS2 compliance if your company falls in scope
- EU AI Act readiness if your product uses AI
Common mistakes US companies make
Assuming CCPA compliance covers GDPR. It doesn’t. GDPR requires a lawful basis for processing, stricter consent requirements, DPO appointment in certain cases, and data transfer mechanisms. CCPA compliance is a starting point, not a substitute.
Ignoring the EU Representative requirement. If you’re outside the EU but offer services to EU residents, you likely need an EU Representative under Article 27. This is separate from a DPO. Failure to appoint one is itself a GDPR violation.
Using US-style cookie consent. EU cookie consent requires opt-in before non-essential cookies fire. A “by continuing to browse” banner doesn’t cut it under the ePrivacy Directive.
Treating EU expansion as a one-time project. GDPR compliance is ongoing. New features, new markets, new vendors, and new enterprise customers all create new compliance requirements. An ongoing DPO retainer handles this.
Beyond the EU
Expanding further? We cover 30+ regulations across the UK (UK GDPR), Brazil (LGPD), Canada (PIPEDA), Thailand (PDPA), China (PIPL), India (DPDPA), Japan (APPI), South Korea (PIPA), UAE, Saudi Arabia, and more. One point of contact for all of it, with local counsel support where jurisdiction-specific legal advice is required. See our Global Privacy Compliance page.
How it works
Month 1: We assess your current state, identify gaps, build your EU privacy framework, notify the supervisory authority of the DPO appointment (if needed), and set up your EU representative.
Month 2+: Ongoing compliance, enterprise deal support for EU customers, and privacy reviews for new features or markets.
Investment
Most US companies expanding to the EU start with DPO Foundation (From €1,000 per month) or DPO Complete (From €4,500 per month) if they need multi-jurisdictional coverage. We also handle standalone EU Representative appointments, charged once a year up front: €990 a year for a company of 50 people or fewer with under €10m in global revenue, and published prices for larger companies. See our EU Representative Service page for details.