EU AI Act compliance timeline: key dates after the Digital Omnibus

The EU AI Act timeline has changed. In June 2026, the EU adopted the Digital Omnibus, which postpones the obligations for high-risk systems. Here is the updated compliance timeline, with all the phased application dates and a downloadable PDF to keep it always to hand.

When does each EU AI Act obligation apply?

Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 applies in stages between 2024 and 2028. These are the key dates of the EU AI Act timeline:

• 1 August 2024: the Regulation enters into force.
• 2 February 2025: prohibited AI practices (Art. 5) and AI literacy for staff (Art. 4).
• 2 August 2025: obligations for general-purpose models (GPAI), governance and the penalty regime.
• 2 August 2027: GPAI models placed on the market before August 2025 must be in conformity.
• 2 December 2027: stand-alone high-risk systems under Annex III (new date after the Digital Omnibus).
• 2 August 2028: high-risk systems embedded in regulated products under Annex I (new date).

What changed with the Digital Omnibus (June 2026)

The European Parliament approved the Digital Omnibus on 16 June 2026 and the Council gave its final approval on 29 June. Its main effect on the timeline: it postpones the high-risk obligations of Annex III from 2 August 2026 to 2 December 2027, and those of Annex I to 2 August 2028. It does not change the prohibitions, AI literacy or the obligations for GPAI models, which remain fully in force. I analyse the context of the extension in the postponement of the European AI law.

What to prepare depending on your case

GPAI models. If you develop or integrate general-purpose models, the transparency, technical documentation and copyright obligations already apply from August 2025.

High-risk systems. You gain some breathing room until December 2027, but it is wise to start now with risk management, data quality and documentation. The EU AI Act compliance checklist and the AI model evaluation will help you.

The whole organisation. AI literacy has been mandatory for staff since February 2025.

Download the EU AI Act timeline as a PDF

I have prepared an updated visual PDF with all the dates and the Digital Omnibus change. It is a free resource to consult, cite or share with your team.

I will keep this timeline updated if there are regulatory developments. If you need to place your AI systems on the timeline and prioritise compliance, let’s talk.