DPIA Template
A structured Data Protection Impact Assessment template aligned with GDPR Article 35 and EDPB guidelines. Covers necessity, proportionality, risk assessment, and consultation requirements.
What's included
- Professionally drafted, legally reviewed content
- Regulation-specific guidance notes
- Placeholder fields with clear instructions
- Version control and update log
- Customisation guide included
How to use this template
- Start the DPIA before the processing begins. GDPR Article 35(1) requires it prior to processing where the activity is likely to result in high risk — not retroactively.
- Fill in sections 1–3 (describe the processing, assess necessity, document consultation with the DPO and data subjects where applicable).
- Run the risk assessment in section 4. For each identified risk, record the likelihood, severity and the resulting risk level. Keep the methodology consistent across DPIAs.
- List the mitigation measures in section 5 and tie each measure back to a specific risk from section 4. Re-score the residual risk after mitigation.
- Have the DPO sign off and record their advice in section 6. If a residual high risk remains after mitigation, Article 36 requires prior consultation with the supervisory authority before processing starts.
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Try TruePrivacy freeFrequently asked questions
When exactly is a DPIA mandatory?+
GDPR Article 35: for processing likely to result in a high risk to rights and freedoms. The EDPB has published a nine-criteria test — meeting two usually triggers the obligation. Most new tech, large-scale sensitive-data processing or systematic monitoring triggers it automatically.
Does the DPIA satisfy the EU AI Act's FRIA requirement?+
Partially. The DPIA covers GDPR concerns. For high-risk AI deployments under the EU AI Act, a Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment (FRIA) is additionally required for public-sector deployers and some private-sector use cases. The template includes an optional FRIA annex that reuses sections 1–3 of the DPIA.
What about India's DPDP Act?+
DPDP § 10(2)(c) requires DPIAs for Significant Data Fiduciaries. The template's section 1 includes a DPDP-specific mapping — significant volume, sensitive data processing, cross-border transfers — so the same document covers both regimes.
Do I need a DPIA for every new processing activity?+
No — only for likely-high-risk ones. For lower-risk activities, a lightweight privacy screen is enough. The template includes an optional two-page screening worksheet that triages whether a full DPIA is required.
How long should a DPIA be?+
As long as needed and no longer. The template averages 6–12 pages for a focused activity, 20+ for a complex multi-system deployment. The regulator reads it; keep it readable.
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