Data privacy isn't just a regulatory checkbox anymore - it's absolutely essential if you want your customer to trust your business. If you're using HubSpot to manage your customer relationships, you're probably wondering whether it meets the strict requirements of Europe's data protection laws. The good news for you: HubSpot does, indeed, take GDPR seriously and has built strong features to help you stay compliant.
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about HubSpot GDPR compliance, explain how to set up your portal correctly, and talk about what you're responsible for versus what HubSpot handles. We'll also show how Zeeg's scheduling platform works alongside HubSpot to maintain GDPR compliance across your entire customer journey.
What is GDPR and why does it matter?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of the most significant data privacy frameworks in the world. It was implemented on May 25, 2018, and replaced the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive with stronger protections for personal data and stricter requirements for businesses.
GDPR applies to organizations that operate within the European Union, process data of EU citizens regardless of the company's location, market products or services to people in the EU, or monitor the behavior of individuals in the EU.
At its core, GDPR establishes several basic principles for handling personal data: lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality; and accountability. For businesses using marketing platforms like HubSpot, these principles directly impact how you collect, store, and use customer information.
Is HubSpot GDPR compliant?
Yes, HubSpot is GDPR compliant¹. The platform has implemented features specifically designed to help businesses meet their GDPR obligations. But it's important to understand that GDPR compliance isn't just about the tools you use – it's also about how you use them.
HubSpot provides you with the technical infrastructure and features needed for compliance, but ultimately your business is responsible for using these tools correctly. This shared responsibility model means that while HubSpot offers GDPR-compliant features, you must implement them properly to make sure your marketing activities remain within legal boundaries.
HubSpot GDPR compliance features
HubSpot does come with some features to help businesses navigate GDPR requirements effectively:
Consent management
Under GDPR, businesses need explicit consent before collecting and processing personal data. HubSpot addresses this through GDPR-ready forms with customizable consent checkboxes, subscription preferences that give contacts control over what information they receive, and lawful basis tracking to document the legal justification for processing each contact's data.
Data subject rights management
GDPR gives individuals specific rights regarding their personal data, including access, erasure, and portability. HubSpot helps businesses fulfill these requests through contact record exports, GDPR deletion functionality that permanently removes contact data when requested, and access request tools to respond to data subject access requests within required timeframes.
Data security and protection
HubSpot implements strong security measures to protect personal data, including data encryption in transit and at rest, access controls that limit data access to authorized personnel, audit trails that track user activities, and data processing agreements that outline responsibilities for data processing.
Cookie consent and tracking
GDPR requires clear consent for cookies and tracking. HubSpot has customizable cookie consent banners, tracking code functions that let developers control cookie behavior based on user consent, and do-not-track capabilities that prevent collecting data on visitors who haven't given consent.
How to make your HubSpot portal GDPR compliant
1. Enable GDPR functionality in HubSpot
To start using HubSpot's GDPR features, navigate to Settings > Account Defaults, find the GDPR switch and toggle it on, choose whether to only send marketing emails to contacts with a legal basis, and save your changes. Once enabled, additional GDPR-related features will become available throughout your portal².
2. Set up cookie consent
After enabling GDPR functionality, go to Settings > Privacy & Consent > Cookie Consent, customize your cookie banner text and appearance, link to your privacy policy, configure country-specific settings if needed, and save your settings. This banner will be visible to visitors, and request consent before cookies are placed on their devices.
3. Configure GDPR-compliant forms
Update your forms to gather proper consent by navigating to Marketing > Lead Capture > Forms, editing an existing form or creating a new one, accessing the form settings to locate GDPR options, choosing the appropriate consent option, customizing the checkbox text to clearly explain how data will be used, and saving your changes. Repeat this process for all forms that collect personal data.
4. Set up lawful basis tracking
To document your legal basis for processing contact data, navigate to a contact record, find the "Legal basis for processing contact's data" property, select the appropriate basis (consent, contract, legitimate interest, etc.), add any relevant details in the notes field, and save the record. For bulk updates, you can use HubSpot's workflow tools.
5. Create processes for data subject requests
Establish clear procedures for handling data subject rights by designating team members responsible for handling requests, documenting the process for verifying requester identities, setting up response templates, establishing timelines to make sure requests are processed within 30 days, and training your team on using HubSpot's tools to fulfill these requests.
6. Audit and update data practices
Regularly review your data handling practices by assessing what personal data you collect and why you need it, removing unnecessary fields, setting up data retention policies, documenting your processing activities, and reviewing and updating your privacy policy to reflect your practices properly and accurately.
👉🏻 Here you can read more about HubSpot:
- Best 15 HubSpot Alternatives: A Detailed Guide for 2025
- What is HubSpot and How Does it Work?
- HubSpot Pricing: Complete Guide to Plans, Costs, and Features in 2025
- HubSpot Free Version: Complete Guide to Features & Limitations (2025)
Common HubSpot GDPR compliance challenges
While trying to implement GDPR compliance in HubSpot, there’s a change that you may come across these challenges:
Legacy contacts without documented consent
For contacts collected before implementing GDPR features, review their origin and determine if you have a legitimate basis for processing. Consider running a re-permission campaign to obtain explicit consent, and document the lawful basis for processing or delete contacts where no basis exists.
Managing third-party integrations
When connecting HubSpot to other tools, make sure data flows comply with GDPR principles. Double-check that integrated applications have their own GDPR compliance measures, document how data moves between systems, and update data processing agreements with all vendors.
Balancing marketing needs with compliance
Finding the right approach to consent can be tricky. Test different consent message wording to optimize conversion while maintaining compliance, consider using legitimate interest where appropriate rather than consent, segment your audience based on geographic location, and focus on quality rather than quantity in your marketing database.
Best practices for GDPR compliance in HubSpot
To maximize both compliance and marketing effectiveness:
Transparency builds trust
Clearly explain what data you collect and why, use plain language in consent requests, make privacy policies accessible, and show how data collection benefits the user.
Prioritize data minimization
Only collect information essential to your business purposes, regularly audit and clean your database, use progressive profiling instead of requesting all information upfront, and set appropriate retention periods for different data types.
Document everything
Keep records of consent, document the lawful basis for processing each category of data, maintain a register of processing activities, and record data protection impact assessments where necessary.
Train your team
Make sure that all users understand GDPR principles, provide specific training on HubSpot's GDPR features, create internal guidelines for handling personal data, and establish clear roles and responsibilities for compliance.
Why you should integrate Zeeg with your GDPR-compliant HubSpot
Looking to make your scheduling life easier while keeping your HubSpot CRM up to date? Zeeg's HubSpot integration is your new best friend. Here's why you should connect them today:
- Goodbye manual data entry! When someone books time with you, Zeeg automatically creates or updates their contact in HubSpot.
- Keep everything in sync - when meetings get scheduled, rescheduled, or canceled, both systems stay perfectly aligned without you lifting a finger.
- Turn booking questions into gold - any info collected during booking (like "What's your biggest challenge?") becomes searchable data in your HubSpot contacts.
- Privacy that works - with European data hosting and full GDPR compliance, you can keep your legal team happy while your sales team stays productive.
- Streamlined customer journey - create a smooth experience from the moment someone finds you online to when they're sitting in their scheduled meeting.
The integration is super simple to set up (just a few clicks!), and it works across your entire team. No more forgotten follow-ups or manually copying meeting details between systems—Zeeg and HubSpot handle it all behind the scenes while you focus on what matters: having great conversations with your customers.
Want to take your scheduling game to the next level? Zeeg + HubSpot is the power combo you've been waiting for!
Data privacy isn't just a regulatory checkbox anymore - it's absolutely essential if you want your customer to trust your business. If you're using HubSpot to manage your customer relationships, you're probably wondering whether it meets the strict requirements of Europe's data protection laws. The good news for you: HubSpot does, indeed, take GDPR seriously and has built strong features to help you stay compliant.
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about HubSpot GDPR compliance, explain how to set up your portal correctly, and talk about what you're responsible for versus what HubSpot handles. We'll also show how Zeeg's scheduling platform works alongside HubSpot to maintain GDPR compliance across your entire customer journey.
What is GDPR and why does it matter?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of the most significant data privacy frameworks in the world. It was implemented on May 25, 2018, and replaced the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive with stronger protections for personal data and stricter requirements for businesses.
GDPR applies to organizations that operate within the European Union, process data of EU citizens regardless of the company's location, market products or services to people in the EU, or monitor the behavior of individuals in the EU.
At its core, GDPR establishes several basic principles for handling personal data: lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality; and accountability. For businesses using marketing platforms like HubSpot, these principles directly impact how you collect, store, and use customer information.
Is HubSpot GDPR compliant?
Yes, HubSpot is GDPR compliant¹. The platform has implemented features specifically designed to help businesses meet their GDPR obligations. But it's important to understand that GDPR compliance isn't just about the tools you use – it's also about how you use them.
HubSpot provides you with the technical infrastructure and features needed for compliance, but ultimately your business is responsible for using these tools correctly. This shared responsibility model means that while HubSpot offers GDPR-compliant features, you must implement them properly to make sure your marketing activities remain within legal boundaries.
HubSpot GDPR compliance features
HubSpot does come with some features to help businesses navigate GDPR requirements effectively:
Consent management
Under GDPR, businesses need explicit consent before collecting and processing personal data. HubSpot addresses this through GDPR-ready forms with customizable consent checkboxes, subscription preferences that give contacts control over what information they receive, and lawful basis tracking to document the legal justification for processing each contact's data.
Data subject rights management
GDPR gives individuals specific rights regarding their personal data, including access, erasure, and portability. HubSpot helps businesses fulfill these requests through contact record exports, GDPR deletion functionality that permanently removes contact data when requested, and access request tools to respond to data subject access requests within required timeframes.
Data security and protection
HubSpot implements strong security measures to protect personal data, including data encryption in transit and at rest, access controls that limit data access to authorized personnel, audit trails that track user activities, and data processing agreements that outline responsibilities for data processing.
Cookie consent and tracking
GDPR requires clear consent for cookies and tracking. HubSpot has customizable cookie consent banners, tracking code functions that let developers control cookie behavior based on user consent, and do-not-track capabilities that prevent collecting data on visitors who haven't given consent.
How to make your HubSpot portal GDPR compliant
1. Enable GDPR functionality in HubSpot
To start using HubSpot's GDPR features, navigate to Settings > Account Defaults, find the GDPR switch and toggle it on, choose whether to only send marketing emails to contacts with a legal basis, and save your changes. Once enabled, additional GDPR-related features will become available throughout your portal².
2. Set up cookie consent
After enabling GDPR functionality, go to Settings > Privacy & Consent > Cookie Consent, customize your cookie banner text and appearance, link to your privacy policy, configure country-specific settings if needed, and save your settings. This banner will be visible to visitors, and request consent before cookies are placed on their devices.
3. Configure GDPR-compliant forms
Update your forms to gather proper consent by navigating to Marketing > Lead Capture > Forms, editing an existing form or creating a new one, accessing the form settings to locate GDPR options, choosing the appropriate consent option, customizing the checkbox text to clearly explain how data will be used, and saving your changes. Repeat this process for all forms that collect personal data.
4. Set up lawful basis tracking
To document your legal basis for processing contact data, navigate to a contact record, find the "Legal basis for processing contact's data" property, select the appropriate basis (consent, contract, legitimate interest, etc.), add any relevant details in the notes field, and save the record. For bulk updates, you can use HubSpot's workflow tools.
5. Create processes for data subject requests
Establish clear procedures for handling data subject rights by designating team members responsible for handling requests, documenting the process for verifying requester identities, setting up response templates, establishing timelines to make sure requests are processed within 30 days, and training your team on using HubSpot's tools to fulfill these requests.
6. Audit and update data practices
Regularly review your data handling practices by assessing what personal data you collect and why you need it, removing unnecessary fields, setting up data retention policies, documenting your processing activities, and reviewing and updating your privacy policy to reflect your practices properly and accurately.
👉🏻 Here you can read more about HubSpot:
- Best 15 HubSpot Alternatives: A Detailed Guide for 2025
- What is HubSpot and How Does it Work?
- HubSpot Pricing: Complete Guide to Plans, Costs, and Features in 2025
- HubSpot Free Version: Complete Guide to Features & Limitations (2025)
Common HubSpot GDPR compliance challenges
While trying to implement GDPR compliance in HubSpot, there’s a change that you may come across these challenges:
Legacy contacts without documented consent
For contacts collected before implementing GDPR features, review their origin and determine if you have a legitimate basis for processing. Consider running a re-permission campaign to obtain explicit consent, and document the lawful basis for processing or delete contacts where no basis exists.
Managing third-party integrations
When connecting HubSpot to other tools, make sure data flows comply with GDPR principles. Double-check that integrated applications have their own GDPR compliance measures, document how data moves between systems, and update data processing agreements with all vendors.
Balancing marketing needs with compliance
Finding the right approach to consent can be tricky. Test different consent message wording to optimize conversion while maintaining compliance, consider using legitimate interest where appropriate rather than consent, segment your audience based on geographic location, and focus on quality rather than quantity in your marketing database.
Best practices for GDPR compliance in HubSpot
To maximize both compliance and marketing effectiveness:
Transparency builds trust
Clearly explain what data you collect and why, use plain language in consent requests, make privacy policies accessible, and show how data collection benefits the user.
Prioritize data minimization
Only collect information essential to your business purposes, regularly audit and clean your database, use progressive profiling instead of requesting all information upfront, and set appropriate retention periods for different data types.
Document everything
Keep records of consent, document the lawful basis for processing each category of data, maintain a register of processing activities, and record data protection impact assessments where necessary.
Train your team
Make sure that all users understand GDPR principles, provide specific training on HubSpot's GDPR features, create internal guidelines for handling personal data, and establish clear roles and responsibilities for compliance.
Why you should integrate Zeeg with your GDPR-compliant HubSpot
Looking to make your scheduling life easier while keeping your HubSpot CRM up to date? Zeeg's HubSpot integration is your new best friend. Here's why you should connect them today:
- Goodbye manual data entry! When someone books time with you, Zeeg automatically creates or updates their contact in HubSpot.
- Keep everything in sync - when meetings get scheduled, rescheduled, or canceled, both systems stay perfectly aligned without you lifting a finger.
- Turn booking questions into gold - any info collected during booking (like "What's your biggest challenge?") becomes searchable data in your HubSpot contacts.
- Privacy that works - with European data hosting and full GDPR compliance, you can keep your legal team happy while your sales team stays productive.
- Streamlined customer journey - create a smooth experience from the moment someone finds you online to when they're sitting in their scheduled meeting.
The integration is super simple to set up (just a few clicks!), and it works across your entire team. No more forgotten follow-ups or manually copying meeting details between systems—Zeeg and HubSpot handle it all behind the scenes while you focus on what matters: having great conversations with your customers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about HubSpot GDPR compliance
Is HubSpot compliant with GDPR?
Yes, HubSpot is GDPR compliant and provides tools to help businesses meet their compliance obligations. But keep in mind that it's a shared responsibility – HubSpot provides the technical infrastructure, but businesses must implement the features correctly.
Is my data safe with HubSpot?
HubSpot employs strong security measures including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. They maintain various security certifications and provide detailed documentation about their security practices. But you should still implement proper security measures on your end, such as strong password policies and careful user permission management.
What are the 7 GDPR requirements?
The seven key principles of GDPR are lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality (security); and accountability. Each principle guides how personal data should be handled throughout its lifecycle.
Does GDPR apply to US websites?
Yes, GDPR can apply to US websites if they market products or services to EU residents, monitor the behavior of people in the EU, or process personal data of EU citizens. The regulation is focused on protecting EU residents' data regardless of where the processing occurs, so many US businesses that operate globally must comply with GDPR.
How do I make my HubSpot portal GDPR compliant?
To make your HubSpot portal GDPR compliant, enable GDPR functionality in Settings > Account Defaults, set up cookie consent banners in Privacy & Consent settings, add appropriate consent options to all forms, document lawful basis for processing contact data, establish processes for handling data subject requests, and regularly audit your data practices and retention policies.
What is GDPR and why should I make my HubSpot portal GDPR compliant?
GDPR is the EU's comprehensive data protection regulation that sets standards for how personal data is collected and processed. Making your HubSpot portal GDPR compliant helps you avoid significant fines, build trust with your audience through transparent data practices, improve data quality by focusing on engaged, consenting contacts, and prepare for similar regulations emerging in other regions.
Conclusion: Balancing GDPR compliance and marketing effectiveness
Implementing GDPR compliance in HubSpot doesn't have to restrict your marketing efforts. In fact, when done correctly, it can enhance your marketing by focusing on quality relationships based on trust and transparency.
HubSpot's GDPR features provide the tools you need to maintain compliance while still running effective marketing campaigns. By following the best practices outlined in this guide and regularly reviewing your processes, you can create a data-respectful marketing approach that builds stronger customer relationships while meeting regulatory requirements.
Remember that GDPR compliance is an ongoing process rather than a one-time project. As regulations evolve and your business grows, continue to adapt your practices to maintain the highest standards of data protection and privacy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about HubSpot GDPR compliance
Is HubSpot compliant with GDPR?
Yes, HubSpot is GDPR compliant and provides tools to help businesses meet their compliance obligations. But keep in mind that it's a shared responsibility – HubSpot provides the technical infrastructure, but businesses must implement the features correctly.
Is my data safe with HubSpot?
HubSpot employs strong security measures including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. They maintain various security certifications and provide detailed documentation about their security practices. But you should still implement proper security measures on your end, such as strong password policies and careful user permission management.
What are the 7 GDPR requirements?
The seven key principles of GDPR are lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality (security); and accountability. Each principle guides how personal data should be handled throughout its lifecycle.
Does GDPR apply to US websites?
Yes, GDPR can apply to US websites if they market products or services to EU residents, monitor the behavior of people in the EU, or process personal data of EU citizens. The regulation is focused on protecting EU residents' data regardless of where the processing occurs, so many US businesses that operate globally must comply with GDPR.
How do I make my HubSpot portal GDPR compliant?
To make your HubSpot portal GDPR compliant, enable GDPR functionality in Settings > Account Defaults, set up cookie consent banners in Privacy & Consent settings, add appropriate consent options to all forms, document lawful basis for processing contact data, establish processes for handling data subject requests, and regularly audit your data practices and retention policies.
What is GDPR and why should I make my HubSpot portal GDPR compliant?
GDPR is the EU's comprehensive data protection regulation that sets standards for how personal data is collected and processed. Making your HubSpot portal GDPR compliant helps you avoid significant fines, build trust with your audience through transparent data practices, improve data quality by focusing on engaged, consenting contacts, and prepare for similar regulations emerging in other regions.
Conclusion: Balancing GDPR compliance and marketing effectiveness
Implementing GDPR compliance in HubSpot doesn't have to restrict your marketing efforts. In fact, when done correctly, it can enhance your marketing by focusing on quality relationships based on trust and transparency.
HubSpot's GDPR features provide the tools you need to maintain compliance while still running effective marketing campaigns. By following the best practices outlined in this guide and regularly reviewing your processes, you can create a data-respectful marketing approach that builds stronger customer relationships while meeting regulatory requirements.
Remember that GDPR compliance is an ongoing process rather than a one-time project. As regulations evolve and your business grows, continue to adapt your practices to maintain the highest standards of data protection and privacy.
Sources:
- Hubspot data privacy/GDPR page
- Hubspot on how to make it GDPR compliant
