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. Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (Digital Omnibus on AI) did not postpone this date.
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
Providers of generative systems placed on the market before 2 August 2026 have until this date to meet Article 50(2) machine-readable marking. New systems had no extra runway. Content already in circulation before 2 August is not required to be marked retroactively.
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
Annex III high-risk obligations apply
Chapter III Sections 1–3 apply to AI systems classified as high-risk under Article 6(2) and Annex III. Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 moved this from the original 2 August 2026/2027 stagger to 2 December 2027.
Who this affects: Providers and deployers of Annex III high-risk AI systems.
- Upcoming
Annex I (product) high-risk obligations apply
High-risk AI systems classified under Article 6(1) and Annex I (products and safety components covered by Union harmonisation legislation) apply from 2 August 2028 under Regulation (EU) 2026/1744.
Who this affects: Providers of AI systems that are themselves products, or safety components of products, covered by Annex I legislation.