The EU AI Act entered into force on August 1, 2024. That’s the confirmed starting point, per the European Commission’s official regulatory framework page. Everything downstream flows from that date.
Two milestones are already behind us. Prohibited AI practices and AI literacy obligations became applicable on February 2, 2025. Governance rules and obligations for General-Purpose AI models followed on August 2, 2025. Both are passed, both are confirmed.
The next confirmed deadline is August 2, 2026, full applicability of most remaining EU AI Act provisions, including transparency and labeling requirements for AI-generated content. That’s four and a half months from now. For organizations building or deploying generative AI systems in the EU, this is the operative target date.
Beyond August 2026, the picture shifts. MEPs reached a preliminary political agreement on March 11, 2026, that would extend compliance deadlines for high-risk AI systems, with Annex III requirements proposed to apply from December 2, 2027, and Annex I from August 2, 2028, if formally adopted, according to IAPP reporting. Committee votes on those amendments are scheduled for March 18, 2026. Those extensions aren’t law yet.
The distinction matters for planning. August 2026 is confirmed. The 2027 and 2028 extensions are proposed.