HIPAA vs GDPR Comparison
HIPAA vs GDPR: Healthcare vs Privacy
A side-by-side comparison of the US healthcare privacy rule and the EU comprehensive data protection regulation.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | HIPAA | GDPR |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | US Healthcare data (PHI) | All EU personal data |
| Consent | Implied for treatment/ops | Explicit, specific, informed |
| Penalties | Up to $1.9M per year | Up to 4% of global turnover |
| Breach Notice | 60 days | 72 hours |
Which one should you choose?
Strategic Guidance
- 1Follow HIPAA if you handle US Protected Health Information (PHI).
- 2Follow GDPR if you process data of EU residents, regardless of industry.
- 3Global startups often need both if operating in the healthcare sector across US and EU.
Speed to Compliance
The fastest way to compliance is often through automated evidence collection. Depending on your tech stack, one framework may be significantly easier to automate than the other.
Check your readiness index →Frequently Asked Questions
Does HIPAA compliance satisfy GDPR$1
No, GDPR has stricter consent and individual rights requirements than HIPAA.
Which is more expensive to maintain$2
GDPR typically requires more ongoing operational overhead for data subject requests.
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Last verified: 2026-01-12
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