How much can my company be fined under DSA?
DSA carries penalties of up to Up to 6% of global turnover (VLOPs/VLOSEs); per member state for others. This page breaks down every fine tier by article, explains who is at risk, and shows live enforcement examples.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes substantial penalties for non-compliance: VLOPs and VLOSEs face fines up to 6% of global annual turnover enforced by the European Commission; other platforms face member-state fines. All online platforms must comply, with enforcement by national Digital Services Coordinators.
| Regulation | Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 — Digital Services Act |
| Enforcement Date | February 17, 2024 (all platforms; large platforms had earlier requirements) |
| Maximum Fine | €20 million or 6% of global annual turnover |
| Scope | All online platforms, marketplaces, and search engines operating in the EU |
| Enforcer | National Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs) per member state |
Common Questions
- What triggers DSA penalties?
- Penalties apply to substantive obligation breaches: failure to moderate illegal content upon notice, lack of algorithmic transparency, insufficient appeal rights for users, non-compliance with advertising transparency, failure to conduct risk assessments (for large platforms), and non-cooperation with investigations.
- Are all platforms subject to the DSA?
- The DSA applies to all online platforms and marketplaces. Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs — those with 45M+ monthly active users in the EU) face enhanced obligations. Small platforms have some exemptions but still must meet basic removal and transparency requirements.
- What are the DSA enforcement and appeal timelines?
- National DSCs can issue prohibition orders or corrective measures. Platforms must comply or face daily fines up to €5% of daily revenue. Appeals can be filed to national courts. The Commission can issue interim orders for systematic violations.
- Can DSA penalties stack with DMA penalties?
- Yes. A large tech platform may be subject to both DSA penalties (for content moderation, transparency) and DMA penalties (for anti-competitive conduct). Both regulations apply independently.
- What does the DSA require for algorithm transparency?
- Platforms must provide users with plain-language explanations of how algorithmic recommendation systems work, allow users to opt out of algorithmic content ordering, and for VLOPs, allow researchers access to platform data for studying systemic risks.
- How many DSA enforcement cases have been filed?
- As of May 2026, 15+ significant DSA investigations are underway across EU member states targeting TikTok, Meta, X (Twitter), YouTube, and others. The first major fine is expected by mid-2026.
Maximum fine
Up to 6% of global turnover (VLOPs/VLOSEs); per member state for others
Source: Regulation (EU) 2022/2065
How DSA penalties work
The Digital Services Act (Article 52) establishes that all online intermediaries (including small platforms) can be fined up to €20M or 6% of global annual revenue. Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) also face periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of average daily worldwide turnover per day for sustained non-compliance. The Commission (not national authorities) enforces the enhanced obligations on VLOPs/VLOSEs.
Fine tiers by article
General non-compliance — all online intermediary service providers
€20,000,000
or 6% of global turnover
Applies to:
- Failure to implement notice-and-action mechanism for illegal content
- Failure to provide transparent conditions of service
- Non-compliance with transparency reporting obligations
- Online marketplaces failing to verify trader identities ('know your business customer')
Periodic penalty payments for ongoing VLOP/VLSE non-compliance (Commission-enforced)
5% of average daily worldwide turnover per day
or 5% per day of global turnover
Applies to:
- VLOPs failing to conduct annual systemic risk assessments
- Non-compliance with Commission's risk mitigation orders
- Failure to cooperate with auditors or researchers
Providing incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information to authorities
1% of global annual revenue
or 1% of global turnover
Applies to:
- Providing false figures for monthly active users in size classification
- Incomplete transparency reports submitted to Digital Services Coordinators
Stacked exposure with other EU regulations
DSA violations involving personal data processing can attract simultaneous GDPR fines. For VLOPs using algorithmic systems, violations of DSA transparency rules may coincide with DMA obligations on gatekeepers, though the Commission aims to coordinate enforcement.
Calculate your stacked fine exposure →Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum DSA fine?
For VLOPs and VLOSEs, the European Commission may impose fines up to 6% of global annual turnover (Art. 74 DSA). For other online platforms, national Digital Services Coordinators set penalties — DSA does not prescribe a fixed euro maximum for non-VLOPs.
Who enforces the Digital Services Act?
National Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs) enforce DSA obligations for most online platforms. The European Commission enforces enhanced obligations exclusively for designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs).
What is your stacked fine exposure across all EU regulations?
Calculate your combined risk across DSA, GDPR, NIS2, AI Act, DORA, and more — free, no signup.
Open fine risk calculator — freeFor informational purposes only. This is not legal advice — consult qualified legal counsel for advice specific to your situation.
Last updated: