EU AI Act deadline tracker
The AI Act applies in stages. These are the dates that matter for transparency compliance, kept current as Commission guidance evolves.
- In force
EU AI Act enters into force
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 formally enters into force, starting the staggered application clock for all obligations.
Who this affects: Everyone building or deploying AI touching the EU market.
- In force
Prohibited practices apply
Bans on unacceptable-risk AI (social scoring, certain biometric practices) plus AI-literacy duties become applicable.
Who this affects: Providers and deployers of the banned categories.
- In force
GPAI model obligations apply
Transparency and documentation duties for general-purpose AI model providers become applicable, alongside governance provisions.
Who this affects: Foundation-model and GPAI providers.
- In force
Article 50 transparency obligations enforceable
Chatbot disclosure, machine-readable marking of synthetic content, and deepfake labeling duties are now enforceable, with penalties up to €15M or 3% of worldwide turnover.
Who this affects: Anyone whose AI system interacts with people or generates content reaching EU users — including non-EU companies.
- Next deadline
Marking grace period ends for pre-existing systems
The transition window for systems placed on the market before the transparency rules applied closes: synthetic content they output must carry machine-readable marking.
Who this affects: Providers of generative systems launched before August 2026 that have been relying on the grace period.
- Upcoming
Watermark interoperability expectations
Commission guidance anticipates interoperable, state-of-the-art marking and detection across providers — vendor lock-in stops being an excuse.
Who this affects: Model providers and marking-tool vendors who must read each other's watermarks.
- Upcoming
High-risk system obligations fully apply
The full high-risk regime (Annex III systems, conformity assessments) applies, completing the Act's staggered rollout.
Who this affects: Providers and deployers of high-risk AI systems.