AI Act enforcement timeline
Every key AI Act date — entry into force, transposition deadlines, phased provisions, and compliance milestones. 7 milestones tracked, sourced directly from EUR-Lex.
When does AI Act take effect?
AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) has 7 key enforcement milestones. 4 milestones have already passed; 3 milestones are upcoming. The next key date is 2 August 2026: High-risk AI systems obligations enter into full application.
Next milestone: 2 August 2026 — 82 days away
Source: Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 via EuroComply EU Regulation Deadlines dataset
Total milestones
7
In force
4
Upcoming
3
AI Act — complete milestone timeline
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 · Official text
EU AI Act enters into force
The Regulation entered into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal (OJ L, 12 July 2024). The full application is phased over subsequent years.
Applies to: all providers, deployers, importers, and distributors of AI systems in the EU market
Penalty: varies by article; up to €35M or 7% of worldwide annual turnover
Prohibited AI practices ban takes effect; AI literacy obligation applies
Six months after entry into force: Article 5 prohibitions (subliminal manipulation, social scoring, real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces, etc.) become enforceable. Article 4 AI literacy obligation applies to providers and deployers.
Applies to: all providers and deployers of AI systems in the EU; national competent authorities
Penalty: up to €35M or 7% of worldwide annual turnover for prohibited practice violations
First GPAI Code of Practice draft published by AI Office
The EU AI Office published the first draft Code of Practice for General Purpose AI model providers, covering transparency obligations, copyright compliance, systemic risk assessment, and incident reporting.
Applies to: providers of GPAI models made available in the EU
Penalty: up to €15M or 3% of global annual turnover for GPAI violations
EU AI Act codes of practice deadline; notified body designation begins
18 months after entry into force: Codes of practice for GPAI model providers must be finalised (Art. 56). Member States must designate notified bodies for conformity assessment of high-risk AI systems.
Applies to: GPAI model providers; Member States; notified bodies
Penalty: up to €15M or 3% of worldwide annual turnover for GPAI obligation violations
High-risk AI systems obligations enter into full application
24 months after entry into force: Obligations for high-risk AI systems listed in Annex III (biometrics, critical infrastructure, employment, education, law enforcement) become fully applicable. Providers and deployers must complete conformity assessments, register in the EU database, and implement post-market monitoring.
Applies to: providers and deployers of high-risk AI systems (Annex III categories)
Penalty: up to €15M or 3% of worldwide annual turnover
High-risk AI systems must be registered in EU database
Providers of high-risk AI systems (Annex III) must register their systems in the EU-wide database for AI systems before placing on the market or putting into service.
Applies to: providers of Annex III high-risk AI systems; deployers in public-sector contexts
Penalty: up to €15M or 3% of worldwide annual turnover
GPAI models already on market before August 2025 must comply
36 months after entry into force: General Purpose AI models that were already placed on the market before 2 August 2025 must comply with GPAI obligations (Chapter V) by this date.
Applies to: providers of GPAI models that were on market before 2 August 2025
Penalty: up to €15M or 3% of worldwide annual turnover
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Check scope — freeFor informational purposes only. This is not legal advice — consult qualified legal counsel for advice specific to your situation. Dates reflect official EUR-Lex sources; verify with your national competent authority for jurisdiction-specific transposition dates.
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