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ZoomInfo’s European Data: What GTM Teams Need to Know in 2025

Written by Ilse Van Rensburg | Oct 22, 2025 2:15:03 PM

Expanding into Europe means dealing with more than just new markets. It means navigating complex data laws, language differences, and local nuances.

That’s why many GTM teams ask: “How reliable is ZoomInfo’s European data?”

It’s a fair question. ZoomInfo has built a strong reputation in the US, but European data operates under a very different rulebook.

In this article, we’ll explore how ZoomInfo’s European data stacks up, examining coverage, compliance, and enrichment accuracy.

TL;DR

  • ZoomInfo operates with a Global Data Passport whereby users need to purchase the passport to access European data. 
  • It’s a well-known platform with strong US roots, but users frequently report weaker depth/accuracy outside the US, especially in EMEA (see G2/Capterra/TrustRadius reviews linked below).
  • The tool is GDPR and CCPA compliant with DNC lists screened in eight countries, but ZoomInfo alternative, Cognism screens against 14. 
  • Rather consider Cognism for European prospecting. It focuses on verified accuracy and compliant outreach.
  • Combined with consent-based intent data from Bombora and seamless CRM enrichment, Cognism helps GTM teams prioritise in-market accounts, improve engagement, and accelerate European revenue growth.


Why European B2B data is different

Expanding into Europe isn’t as simple as flipping a switch between countries.

European B2B data comes with unique challenges that often catch US-based vendors off guard:

  • GDPR compliance: Companies must demonstrate a lawful basis for processing personal data.
  • DNC lists and local regulations: there are approximately 44+ countries that maintain national Do-Not-Call registries that require regular screening.
  • Language and cultural differences: Transliteration, naming conventions, and regional job titles can all affect data accuracy.
  • Fragmented data sources: Unlike the US, where business information can be accessed through centralised and relatively uniform registries, European company data is dispersed across national databases, VAT systems, and local chambers of commerce, each governed by its own access rules and privacy laws.

For revenue teams, this means that “coverage” isn’t just about volume; it’s about trust and usability.

Here’s why GTM teams choose Cognism for European contact data:

  • Make net new contact acquisition in Europe easy with Cognism’s 200+ million European contact records.
  • Connect with accuracy and confidence with an accurate GDPR-compliant mobile dataset, scrubbed against 14 international DNC lists.
  • Consent-based intent data, powered by Bombora, to help you find decision-makers and their contact info in ready-to-buy accounts.
  • Increase data completeness and accuracy by enriching CRM data in real-time or at the frequency of your choice.
  • Seamlessly connect European B2B data with your existing GTM tech stack thanks to Cognism’s integrations.

ZoomInfo’s European data overview

Thanks to its scale and integrations, ZoomInfo remains one of the most recognised sales-intelligence platforms globally.

However, as ZoomInfo is a US-based data provider, its strength has historically been in North America.

In recent years, it’s invested in expanding its European data footprint, but GTM teams still report limitations regarding EMEA data:

Businesses must buy a Global Data Passport (Global, Europe, North America Plus) to access Zoominfo’s international data.

Understandably, users find this hard to justify. 

That’s when GTM teams start looking for an EMEA data provider to supplement or replace ZoomInfo’s international coverage.

If you’re one of them, consider Cognism. 

Cognism is the European expert in data enrichment and net new contact acquisition.

With over 200 million European contacts, you’ll have the data you need to scale, expand and win more deals in Europe.

How is ZoomInfo GDPR-compliant?

When operating in Europe, compliance is non-negotiable.

Cold calling phone numbers of EU-based contacts who opted out of receiving unsolicited calls and signed up with a national Do-Not-Call (DNC) registry may result in steep fines, such as the £20M fine Experian received in 2020.

ZoomInfo employs data privacy experts to ensure compliance with data protection and privacy laws, such as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The vendor monitors its data and research practices and only processes business contact information for EU contacts.

ZoomInfo notifies its email database and supports eight European do-not-call lists (France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK).

That sounds great. So how is Cognism’s compliance different? 

Cognism is a globally compliant B2B data provider. Customers praise Cognism as a company that goes above and beyond to ensure customers aren’t violating privacy laws.

While being GDPR and CCPA compliant, Cognism also scrubs all mobile numbers against:

  • TPS/CTPS lists in the UK.
  • Do-Not-Call lists in the USA, Canada, Australia and European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Sweden and more. 

If a number is marked as TPS or DNC, it means that the user has opted out of receiving unsolicited phone calls by applying to the national do-not-call registry. 

Cognism allows admins to choose whether to hide or show contacts that are on DNC lists from reps. Meaning that its customers have complete confidence in the legality of its outreach.

The Cognism platform follows these compliance-based actions: 

  • A stringent B2B data verification process. 
  • Ensures all data is legally sourced and of the utmost quality.
  • Is regulated by the ICO and provides users with a notified database.

What is ZoomInfo’s intent data?

Modern GTM strategies rely on more than contact lists. They depend on behavioural insight, understanding who is showing intent, when, and why.

It’s believed ZoomInfo relies on bidstream intent data - anonymous web traffic aggregated from ad exchanges.

The vendor surfaces intent insights at the company level by capturing and analysing large volumes of web traffic data (without relying on cookies) and employing proprietary technology.

Cognism takes a different approach, partnering with Bombora, a leader in consent-based intent data. This partnership tracks over 12,000+ intent topics (compared to ZoomInfo’s) using privacy-compliant B2B content consumption signals.

When combined with Cognism’s Diamond Data® (phone-verified contact data enriched with firmographics and technographics) this creates a comprehensive and actionable picture of the buyer journey.

The result:

GTM teams spend less time chasing irrelevant accounts and more time engaging in-market buyers.

Does ZoomInfo provide data enrichment?

Despite having 145 million contacts in markets outside of the United States, ZoomInfo has expanded outside of its core offering. One ZoomInfo customer cites that the company’s core product has remained at a standstill.

ZoomInfo verifies its mobile numbers with a community-based system rather than in-house human verification. This could increase the likelihood of obtaining inaccurate information when enriching contact records.

Thanks to its phone-verified mobile dataset and extensive European coverage, Cognism’s Enrich functionality delivers accurate and enriched customer contact data.

Having access to the highest quality data in Europe is the key to increased conversion rates and most importantly, revenue attainment.

With Cognism Enrich, you can fight off data decay and proactively amend and correct contact records in your CRM or instantly enrich new data entering your CRM.

Cognism is also a partner of LeanData and integrates directly into its lead routing platform. This integration allows revenue teams to increase lead response times and maximise their chance of turning inbound leads into opportunities.

With Cognism Enrich, you can:

  • Increase meetings booked by 50%.
  • Increase MQL to opportunity conversion rates by 67%.
  • Boost sales productivity by 20%.

Comparing data coverage and quality

While both vendors serve the B2B data market, their approaches differ.

ZoomInfo’s system is optimised for scale. Cognism is built for accuracy and legality within complex European frameworks.

Here’s a quick comparison: 

As a data provider specialising in European B2B data, Cognism recognises ZoomInfo’s strengths in the US market, but we believe European data demands a different approach.

Where ZoomInfo’s model scales breadth through automation and user contribution, Cognism invests in depth and verification, ensuring each contact is accurate, compliant, and ready to use across sales and marketing workflows.

That difference underpins why many multinational companies use Cognism to complement or replace ZoomInfo when expanding into EMEA.

Are you already using ZoomInfo and looking for a way out? 

Click the button below to see how we can help you exit your contract.

Switch to Cognism: Ready to dominate the European market?

Don’t let a lack of quality, compliant contact data slow down your European market expansion.

If you currently use ZoomInfo but find its European data lacking, check out Cognism! Using Cognism and ZoomInfo together can help you skyrocket your revenue.

Book a 15-minute call with our team to learn how Cognism can help you scale and win more deals in Europe 👇