> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://aiadoption.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# EU AI Act: What Applies When
- URL: https://aiadoption.org/record/eu-ai-act-what-applies-when/
- Published: 2026-10-25T10:53:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T23:23:01.000Z
- Description: 22 verified steps of the EU AI Act: what already applies, what comes next and what changed the dates, each linked to the official text.
- Author: Manu
- Tags: News, AI Regulation, AI in Europe, #record, #record-thread, #record-hub-regulation

[The AI Record](https://aiadoption.org/record/) › [Threads](https://aiadoption.org/record/#threads) › EU AI Act: What Applies When

[**The AI Record**](https://aiadoption.org/record/)ThreadLatest step 14 Oct 2026Checked 25 Oct 2026

# EU AI Act: What Applies When

Which EU AI Act obligations apply from which date, and what has changed those dates? Every step we could find, dated, labelled and linked to its source.

**22**verified steps

**5**coming up

[Download the data (CSV)](https://charts.aiadoption.org/record/eu-ai-act-what-applies-when.csv?ref=aiadoption.org)Copy citation

Filed in [AI Regulation & Policy](https://aiadoption.org/ai-regulation-statistics/) › [AI Laws by Country](https://aiadoption.org/ai-regulation-statistics/#ai-laws-by-country)

## Coming up

Dates already fixed in law or in an order, soonest first. Each is counted from that day.

1. 2 Dec 2026  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilTwo new prohibitions apply: AI systems that create non-consensual intimate images of identifiable people, and systems that generate child sexual abuse material. Generative AI systems already on the market before 2 August 2026 must also comply with machine-readable marking of AI output by this date.VerifiedApplies from[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1744&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017200042/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R1744)
2. 2 Aug 2027  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilGeneral-purpose AI models placed on the market before 2 August 2025 must comply by this date. Each Member State must also have at least one national AI regulatory sandbox running by this date.VerifiedApplies from[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)
3. 2 Dec 2027  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilHigh-risk requirements for stand-alone Annex III systems (such as biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, essential services, law enforcement, migration, justice) apply from this date, replacing the original 2 August 2026.VerifiedDelay[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1744&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017200042/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R1744)
4. 2 Aug 2028  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilHigh-risk requirements for AI in products covered by Annex I EU product law apply from this date, replacing the original 2 August 2027\. Machinery moves to Annex I Section B, with delegated acts due to apply by the same date.VerifiedDelay[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1744&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017200042/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R1744)
5. 2 Aug 2030  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilHigh-risk AI systems used by public authorities that were already on the market before the high-risk rules applied must comply by this date. Unchanged by the Omnibus.VerifiedApplies from[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)

## On one timeline

One line per kind of step. Filled dots are counted; open dots are claimed, lifted or not yet in effect. Hover or tap a dot.

Ahead

Applies from7 counted · 0 other

[](#e-ai-act-entry-into-force)[](#e-general-application)[](#e-gpai-governance-penalties-apply)[](#e-gpai-legacy-models-and-sandboxes)[](#e-prohibitions-and-ai-literacy-apply)[](#e-public-authority-high-risk-legacy)[](#e-new-bans-and-marking-grace-end)

Law1 counted · 0 other

[](#e-ai-act-published)

Superseded (date replaced)0 counted · 1 other

[](#e-article-6-1-original-date-replaced)

Guidelines5 counted · 0 other

[](#e-guidelines-prohibited-practices)[](#e-guidelines-ai-system-definition)[](#e-gpai-guidelines)[](#e-gpai-training-data-template)[](#e-article-50-guidelines)

Implementing act3 counted · 0 other

[](#e-scientific-panel-implementing-regulation)[](#e-gpai-proceedings-implementing-regulation)[](#e-harmonised-standard-en-18286)

Code of practice3 counted · 0 other

[](#e-gpai-code-of-practice)[](#e-gpai-code-adequacy-opinion)[](#e-article-50-code-of-practice)

Amendment1 counted · 0 other

[](#e-ai-omnibus-amending-regulation)

Delay2 counted · 0 other

[](#e-high-risk-annex-i-apply)[](#e-high-risk-annex-iii-apply)

2024202520262027202820292030

## Every step

Newest first. Each verified entry counts once; claimed entries are shown and labelled but not counted.

**What counts**

A step counts when an EU institution adopts or publishes a legally binding act or official instrument that sets, triggers, delays or changes when an AI Act obligation applies: the Regulation itself and its application dates, amending regulations, implementing and delegated acts, and Commission guidelines or codes of practice that the Act provides for. Proposals not yet adopted, consultations and speeches are listed under related, not counted.

1. 14 Oct 2026  
European UnionEuropean CommissionThe Commission published the reference of the first harmonised standard under the AI Act, EN 18286:2026 on quality management systems. Following it gives a presumption of conformity with the matching requirements.VerifiedImplementing act[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026D2274&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261016224230/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026D2274)
2. 24 Jul 2026  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilThe Digital Omnibus on AI amended the AI Act before the high-risk rules were due. It moved high-risk obligations to 2 December 2027 (Annex III) and 2 August 2028 (Annex I products), added two new bans from 2 December 2026, gave a grace period for marking AI-generated content, and softened the AI literacy duty.VerifiedAmendmentApplies from 27 Jul 2026[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1744&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017200042/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R1744)
3. 21 Jul 2026  
European UnionEuropean CommissionThe Commission adopted procedural rules for its own proceedings against general-purpose AI model providers: model evaluations, access to models, and opening and closing fine proceedings.VerifiedImplementing actApplies from 10 Aug 2026[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1755&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261006141259/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R1755)
4. 20 Jul 2026  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The Commission adopted guidelines on the Article 50 transparency obligations for providers and deployers: chatbots, AI-generated content marking, emotion recognition and biometric categorisation, and deepfakes.VerifiedGuidelines[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/guidelines-transparency-obligations-providers-and-deployers-ai-systems?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261018070903/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/guidelines-transparency-obligations-providers-and-deployers-ai-systems)
5. 10 Jun 2026  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The Commission published the final, voluntary Code of Practice on marking and labelling AI-generated content, covering providers' machine-readable marking and deployers' labelling of deepfakes and public-interest text.VerifiedCode of practice[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-publishes-code-practice-marking-and-labelling-ai-generated-content?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261006082240/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-publishes-code-practice-marking-and-labelling-ai-generated-content)
6. 1 Aug 2025  
European UnionEuropean Commission and AI BoardThe Commission, with the AI Board, assessed the GPAI Code of Practice and found it an adequate voluntary tool for showing compliance with the model-provider obligations.VerifiedCode of practice[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-opinion-assessment-general-purpose-ai-code-practice?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260806005916/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-opinion-assessment-general-purpose-ai-code-practice)
7. 24 Jul 2025  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The AI Office published the template and explanatory notice for the public summary of content used to train general-purpose AI models.VerifiedGuidelines[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/explanatory-notice-and-template-public-summary-training-content-general-purpose-ai-models?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261013123952/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/explanatory-notice-and-template-public-summary-training-content-general-purpose-ai-models)
8. 18 Jul 2025  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The Commission published guidelines on the scope of obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models: what a GPAI model is, when it has systemic risk, and who is the provider.VerifiedGuidelines[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/guidelines-scope-obligations-providers-general-purpose-ai-models-under-ai-act?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260930114932/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/guidelines-scope-obligations-providers-general-purpose-ai-models-under-ai-act)
9. 10 Jul 2025  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The final General-Purpose AI Code of Practice was published, with chapters on transparency, copyright, and safety and security, as a voluntary way for model providers to show compliance.VerifiedCode of practice[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/contents-code-gpai?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261021020738/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/contents-code-gpai)
10. 10 Mar 2025  
European UnionEuropean CommissionThe Commission adopted the implementing act setting up the scientific panel of independent experts that supports enforcement on general-purpose AI models, including systemic-risk alerts.VerifiedImplementing actApplies from 30 Mar 2025[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32025R0454&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260729235254/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32025R0454)
11. 6 Feb 2025  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The Commission published guidelines on what counts as an 'AI system' under Article 3(1), which decides whether the Act applies at all.VerifiedGuidelines[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-publishes-guidelines-ai-system-definition-facilitate-first-ai-acts-rules-application?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261016093232/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-publishes-guidelines-ai-system-definition-facilitate-first-ai-acts-rules-application)
12. 4 Feb 2025  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The Commission published guidelines explaining the Article 5 prohibited AI practices, two days after the bans began to apply.VerifiedGuidelines[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-publishes-guidelines-prohibited-artificial-intelligence-ai-practices-defined-ai-act?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261016150658/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/commission-publishes-guidelines-prohibited-artificial-intelligence-ai-practices-defined-ai-act)
13. 12 Jul 2024  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilChapters I and II started to apply: the general provisions, including the AI literacy duty (Article 4), and the bans on prohibited AI practices (Article 5).VerifiedApplies fromApplies from 2 Feb 2025[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)
14. 12 Jul 2024  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilObligations for providers of general-purpose AI models began to apply, together with the governance chapter, notified bodies, confidentiality and the penalties chapter. Commission fines on model providers were held back to 2 August 2026.VerifiedApplies fromApplies from 2 Aug 2025[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)
15. 12 Jul 2024  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilThe AI Act's general date of application. The Article 50 transparency duties, Commission fines on general-purpose AI model providers (Article 101) and the remaining provisions apply. The high-risk requirements originally due on this date were moved by the Digital Omnibus.VerifiedApplies fromApplies from 2 Aug 2026[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)
16. 12 Jul 2024  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilThe AI Act originally applied Article 6(1) high-risk rules (AI that is a safety component of, or is itself, a product under Annex I law) from 2 August 2027\. That date no longer applies: the Digital Omnibus moved it to 2 August 2028.VerifiedSuperseded (date replaced)Applies from 2 Aug 2027[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)
17. 12 Jul 2024  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilThe AI Act was signed on 13 June 2024 and published in the Official Journal on 12 July 2024\. It sets a staggered timetable: most rules from 2 August 2026, with earlier and later dates for specific chapters.VerifiedLawApplies from 1 Aug 2024[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)
18. 12 Jul 2024  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilThe AI Act entered into force on the twentieth day after publication. No obligations applied yet on this date; it starts the clock for the staggered dates.VerifiedApplies fromApplies from 1 Aug 2024[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261023150908/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R1689)

## Related, not counted

Proposals not yet adopted, consultations and statements near this question, outside the rule.

1. 29 Jun 2026  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and CouncilParliament approved the agreed text on 16 June 2026 and the Council adopted it on 29 June 2026, clearing the way for signature on 8 July.Verified[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026R1744&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017200042/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R1744)
2. 20 May 2026  
European UnionEuropean CommissionThe Commission's first annual review of the Article 5 bans and the Annex III high-risk list made no change to either list but flagged a gap on AI systems generating CSAM and non-consensual intimate content.Verified[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52026DC0234&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261009203149/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52026DC0234)
3. 19 May 2026  
European UnionEuropean Commission (AI Office)The Commission published draft guidelines on classifying high-risk AI systems (Article 6) for targeted consultation. As of 25 October 2026 they remain a draft.Verified[Official document →](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/draft-commission-guidelines-classification-high-risk-ai-systems?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261015212808/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/draft-commission-guidelines-classification-high-risk-ai-systems)
4. 7 May 2026  
European UnionEuropean Parliament and Council (trilogue)Negotiators reached a provisional deal fixing the high-risk dates at 2 December 2027 and 2 August 2028 and adding the ban on non-consensual intimate imagery and CSAM generators.Verified[Official document →](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260427IPR42011/ai-act-deal-on-simplification-measures-ban-on-nudifier-apps?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261011160619/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260427IPR42011/ai-act-deal-on-simplification-measures-ban-on-nudifier-apps)
5. 26 Mar 2026  
European UnionEuropean ParliamentParliament adopted its negotiating position on the AI Omnibus in plenary.Verified[Official document →](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260323IPR38829/artificial-intelligence-act-delayed-application-ban-on-nudifier-apps?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261011052143/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260323IPR38829/artificial-intelligence-act-delayed-application-ban-on-nudifier-apps)
6. 13 Mar 2026  
European UnionCouncil of the EUThe Council agreed its negotiating position on the AI Omnibus.Verified[Official document →](https://cyprus-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/news/council-agrees-position-to-streamline-rules-on-artificial-intelligence/?ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260724004344/https://cyprus-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/news/council-agrees-position-to-streamline-rules-on-artificial-intelligence/)
7. 19 Nov 2025  
European UnionEuropean CommissionThe Commission proposed the Digital Omnibus on AI. It would have tied the high-risk start date to a Commission decision that standards and support tools were ready, with backstops of 2 December 2027 (Annex III) and 2 August 2028 (Annex I), and a six-month marking grace period.Verified[Official document →](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025PC0836&ref=aiadoption.org)[Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261009070515/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025PC0836)

**How this thread is kept**

Every entry links to the official document itself: the order, law, filing or statement, with an archived copy where one exists. Steps known only from news reports are left out, so our count can be lower than press tallies. New entries are added when we find their official text. [How the Record works](https://aiadoption.org/editorial-standards/#the-ai-record) · [Report an error or a missing step](https://aiadoption.org/corrections/)