How long is the GDPR Essentials course?

It's made up of 7 microlessons, each under 5 minutes. Learners can finish it in one sitting or spread it over a few days, and 5Mins sends reminders until it is done.

Is there a certificate?

Yes. Learners get a certificate of completion once they finish every microlesson and complete the situational tests. The record is stored in 5Mins for audits.

Is this course for the EU or the UK?

This version is built around the EU GDPR. 5Mins also has GDPR Essentials (Global) and UK GDPR & Data Law: The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 Update for UK teams.

Is GDPR training a legal requirement?

The GDPR doesn't set a training curriculum, but it requires organizations to take appropriate measures to protect personal data and be able to show it. Staff training is one of the most common ways to do this.

Who needs GDPR training?

Everyone who handles personal data at work, from HR and customer service to sales, marketing and IT.

How often should staff take GDPR training?

There is no fixed frequency in the GDPR. In 5Mins you can set the course to repeat, for example every 12 months, so refreshers happen automatically.

Can I try the course first?

Yes. Request a free sample lesson and book a short demo with our team. After your demo, we'll share sample lessons with you so you can see the format for yourself.

GDPR Essentials Training Course (EU)

What the EU GDPR Essentials course covers

This course covers the essentials of the EU General Data Protection Regulation in seven microlessons. It's built for anyone who handles personal data in the EU, and covers the GDPR's scope, controllers and processors, the lawful bases for processing, technical measures, data breaches and Article 33, privacy and data protection impact assessments, and data subjects' rights.

A certificate for every learner who completes it

Learners finish every microlesson and complete the assessments. 5Mins then issues a certificate of completion for GDPR Essentials (EU).

Certificates and e-signatures stored against each learner

Audit-ready records, ready whenever an auditor asks

Completion shows on the Compliance Dashboard in real time

Laws covered

General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The EU's data protection law, in force since 25 May 2018, covering lawful processing, data roles, security, breaches and data subjects' rights.

Article 33 GDPR. Controllers must notify the supervisory authority of a personal data breach without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours of becoming aware of it, unless it is unlikely to result in a risk to people's rights and freedoms.

ComplianceCompliance Training

Insurance, 205 colleagues 100%

compliance completion and pass rate since go-live

~1 day saved on each compliance course (HR estimate)
Automated reminders and reporting

Since go-live, our compliance completion and pass rates are 100%, and it's the quickest we've ever got there. Automated reminders and reporting save us about a day per course.

Laura ChappellHR Director, Collingwood

Read the Collingwood story

ComplianceCompliance Training

Insurance and emergency accommodation 87%

less session time, from 2.5-3 hour sessions to modules of 25 minutes at most

12 monthly sessions a year, up from 3-4
95% content creation time saved

Our compliance sessions used to be two and a half to three hours in a room, and we could fit in three or four a year. Now we cover one topic a month, and I can see exactly what people are retaining.

Lucy WybornDirector of Learning and Development, ICAB

Read the ICAB story

ComplianceCompliance Training

Legal services 80%

completion on mandatory training, up from 20%

Mobile microlessons finished between calls
Manager view of each team's progress

We were sitting at 20% completion on our mandatory training. We're now at 80%. People finish short lessons between calls, on mobile, and managers can see where their teams are, so chasing completion is no longer a one-person job.

Jamie WaltonGroup Learning and Development Officer, Winn Solicitors

See more customer stories

ComplianceCompliance Training

Fintech and digital banking On demand

training log showing who did what, when, and the pass rate

Any device phone or laptop, at their own pace
Rolling refreshers through the year

When I engage with the FCA, I can show that every team has had training tailored to their role, that it's up to date, and that it runs throughout the year, with a full log of who's done what.

Abdul GofurHead of Compliance & Anti-Financial Crime, nsave

Read the nsave story

EU GDPR Essentials training

What the EU GDPR Essentials course covers

What your people will be able to do

7 microlessons

A certificate for every learner who completes it

Who it's for and the law it covers

Who it's for

Laws covered

Assign it once, then let 5Mins do the chasing

Compliance teams that swapped chasing for results

See 5Mins in action with a free sample lesson

Get a free sample lesson

Take the catalogue with you

Global Compliance Catalogue

Questions about EU GDPR Essentials training

How long is the GDPR Essentials course?

Is there a certificate?

Is this course for the EU or the UK?

Is GDPR training a legal requirement?

Who needs GDPR training?

How often should staff take GDPR training?

Can I try the course first?

Related courses

GDPR Essentials (Global)

UK GDPR & Data Law: The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 Update

Data Privacy Essentials (Global)

Cybersecurity Essentials for Employees (Global)

Phishing Awareness (UK)

Cybersecurity Essentials for Employees (UK)

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