The EU’s AI Act legislation applies progressively, with a full roll-out of the main application milestones foreseen by 2 August 2028. The timeline takes into account the AI Act amendments introduced by Digital Omnibus on AI.
- 01 Aug 2024Entry into force
- 02 Feb 2025General provisions (definitions & AI literacy) and prohibitions apply
- 02 Aug 2025Rules for general-purpose AI apply and governance must be in place
AI Act obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models enter into application.
Member States need to designate national competent authorities and adopt national laws on penalties.
EU-level governance (AI Board, Scientific Panel, Advisory Forum) must be set up.
- 02 Aug 2026The majority of rules of the AI Act come into force and enforcement starts for applicable rules
- Transparency rules (Article 50) start to apply.
- Measures in support of innovation start apply.
- Enforcement of the AI Act starts at national and EU-level concerning general-purpose AI models, prohibitions, transparency rules and AI literacy.
- 02 Dec 2026New prohibitions + Article 50(2) transition apply **
- Prohibitions, for AI systems generating non-consensual sexual deepfakes and child sexual abuse material, start to apply.
- Transitional deadline for certain providers of AI systems, including GPAI systems, generating synthetic content, that were already placed on the market before 02 Aug 2026, to comply with Article 50(2).
- 02 Aug 2027Member States should have at least one AI regulatory sandbox per country operational
- 02 Dec 2027Rules for high-risk AI systems in Annex III apply **
- 02 Aug 2028Rules for high-risk AI embedded in regulated products covered by Annex I apply **
** Following the Digital Omnibus on AI, certain provisions of the AI Act have been amended. For more information, refer to the FAQ section under 'Digital Omnibus.