The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B site subject to GDPR, an EU host like OVHcloud or Scaleway (EUR 25-150/month) places your data under EU sovereignty and signs a compliant DPA, whereas US cloud stays exposed to FISA/Cloud Act despite the Data Privacy Framework. The price gap is marginal (often < EUR 30/month) against the legal risk and the sometimes high egress cost of US hyperscalers. For a DPO, the EU choice simplifies the data protection impact assessment and compliance paperwork; US cloud is only justified for very specific technical needs.
2026 hosting comparison
2026 order of magnitude for hosting a high-traffic B2B corporate site:
| Criterion | OVHcloud (EU) | Scaleway (EU) | US cloud (AWS/GCP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPS/instance price/month | EUR 25-120 | EUR 30-150 | EUR 40-180 |
| Data location | France/EU | France/EU | EU region but US HQ |
| GDPR-compliant DPA | Yes, native | Yes, native | Yes but FISA applies |
| Guaranteed uptime | 99.9-99.99 % | 99.9 % | 99.95-99.99 % |
| Egress cost | Low/included | Low | High (EUR 0.08-0.12/GB) |
| Native support | Multilingual | Multilingual | Paid/EN only |
The often-underestimated line item: data egress fees. Repatriating several hundred GB from a US hyperscaler can cost hundreds of euros, effectively locking your migration.
Sovereignty, DPA and FISA exposure
The core issue for a DPO is not price but legal exposure:
| Compliance issue | EU host | US cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Subject to FISA 702 | No | Yes (even EU datacenter) |
| Non-EU transfer to document | No | Yes (SCCs + DPF) |
| Encryption at rest | Standard | Standard |
| Impact assessment (DPIA) | Simplified | Reinforced |
| Reversibility / portability | Contractual | Variable |
| 3-2-1 backups | Configurable | Configurable |
The 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite) is provider-independent: demand it in all cases, with a documented restore test.
Mini case study
Sophie, DPO of a 60-person B2B SaaS vendor in Dublin, is choosing between staying on a US hyperscaler (EUR 140/month) and migrating to Scaleway (EUR 95/month). The site collects client forms with professional data.
Direct saving: EUR 45/month, i.e. EUR 540/year. But the real gain is legal: the impact assessment moves from "non-EU transfer to justify" to "simple EU processing", saving around 10 hours of legal work (at EUR 90/hour = EUR 900) and removing the risk of a transfer challenged by the DPC. Egress cost avoided at future migration: several hundred euros. Bottom line: sovereignty costs less, not more.
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FAQ
Does the Data Privacy Framework make US cloud compliant?
It frames transfers but does not cancel FISA 702: US authorities can still compel data. The DPF reduces risk without removing it, unlike 100 % EU hosting.
How much does serious GDPR hosting cost in 2026?
Expect EUR 25-150/month with OVH or Scaleway for a B2B site, excluding managed backups (+EUR 15-40/month) and any CDN.
What uptime should a B2B site target?
99.9 % (under 8.8 h downtime/year) suffices for a brochure site; aim for 99.99 % (< 53 min/year) only for a portal generating revenue continuously.
What is egress cost and why does it matter?
These are outbound transfer fees charged by US hyperscalers, often EUR 0.08-0.12/GB. On large volumes they deter migration: EU hosts charge little or nothing.
Do I need a DPA even for a simple brochure site?
Yes, as soon as a form collects personal data. The DPA (data processing agreement) is mandatory between you and the host as processor, whatever the volume.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your traffic, the data you collect and your compliance requirements: we will frame sovereign hosting with a DPA, 3-2-1 backups and an SLA. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
