EU Models vs. Global Models
Same quality, but with EU data residency and GDPR compliance.
| Criteria | EU Models | Global Models |
|---|---|---|
| EU Data Processing | ||
| Standard DPA available | ||
| No Third-Country Transfer | ||
| Model Selection | 100+ | 100+ |
| Model Quality | Equivalent | Equivalent |
| Latency | Low (EU) | Variable |
Why EU Hosting Matters
With GDPR and the upcoming EU AI Act, companies must demonstrate where their data is processed. EU-hosted models substantially reduce third-country transfer risk.
HOVIGuard routes all model requests through an EU gateway. Processing and backups are contractually committed to remain in the EU — data does not leave the EU.
Frequently asked questions about EU and global AI models
What are EU-hosted AI models?+
EU-hosted models are operated in data centres within the EU and their processing is contractually located in the EU. HOVIGuard deliberately selects vendors with EU processing and corresponding contractual commitment for its model catalogue.
What are the advantages of EU hosting?+
EU hosting can reduce the risk of third-country transfers, simplifies GDPR documentation and typically offers a standardised data processing agreement (DPA) depending on the vendor. The legal assessment in the individual case depends on the vendor, the setup and the contractual situation.
Are there quality differences between EU and global models?+
Current EU-hosted models cover many common use cases such as chat, summarisation, translation and code assistance. Suitability for a specific use case should be validated in a pilot — the HOVIGuard catalogue allows direct comparison.
How does HOVIGuard select models for the catalogue?+
We include models whose processing location can be attributed to the EU, whose vendor offers a DPA and whose training policy is documented for business use. Models without EU hosting or sufficient contractual basis are not added to the standard catalogue.
Does my data leave the EU with HOVIGuard?+
Application data and model requests are routed through an EU gateway and forwarded to EU-hosted models. Details on data processing, sub-processors and possible exceptions are documented in the privacy policy and the DPA.