The EU AI Act was passed by the European Parliament on March 13, 2024, with a decisive vote of 523 for, 46 against, and 49 abstaining. The European Council formally approved the legislation on May 21, 2024, making it the world’s first comprehensive AI regulation.
AI Act was originally published in the Official Journal on July 12, 2024, and entered into force on August 1, 2024. However, implementation follows a phased approach, with different obligations taking effect between February 2025 and August 2027, depending on AI system risk categories.
Key takeaway: While the EU AI Act passage date was March 2024, businesses have varying compliance deadlines extending through 2027, making immediate preparation crucial for organisations using or developing AI systems in the European Union.
When Was the EU AI Act Passed: Complete Historical Timeline
| Milestone | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Proposal | April 21, 2021 | EU Commission officially proposed the AI Act |
| Council Orientation | December 6, 2022 | European Council adopted general orientation for negotiations |
| Political Agreement | December 9, 2023 | EU Council and Parliament concluded agreement after three days of “marathon” talks |
| EU AI Act Passed | March 13, 2024 | European Parliament passed the law with 523 votes for, 46 against, and 49 abstaining |
| Council Approval | May 21, 2024 | EU Council unanimously approved the AI Act |
| Official Publication | July 12, 2024 | Published in the EU Official Journal |
| Entry into Force | August 1, 2024 | AI Act entered into force across all 27 EU Member States |
Understanding when the EU AI Act was passed requires examining the entire legislative journey from proposal to implementation. The artificial intelligence regulation underwent extensive negotiations before becoming law.
When Did the EU AI Act Come into Effect: Implementation Phases
The Act entered into force on August 1, 2024, with provisions that shall come into operation gradually over the following 6 to 36 months. This staggered approach recognises the varying complexity of compliance requirements across different AI risk categories.
| Implementation Phase | Effective Date | What Becomes Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | February 2, 2025 | Prohibited AI systems bans, AI literacy requirements |
| Phase 2 | August 2, 2025 | General-purpose AI model obligations, governance structures |
| Phase 3 | August 2, 2026 | High-risk AI systems (Annex III), transparency rules, regulatory sandboxes |
| Phase 4 | August 2, 2027 | High-risk AI systems embedded in regulated products, full compliance |
Key Terms and Definitions: EU AI Act Glossary
Understanding when the EU AI Act was enacted requires familiarity with essential terminology used throughout the legislation.
AI System: The Act covers all types of AI across a broad range of sectors, with exceptions for AI systems used solely for military, national security, research and non-professional purposes.
High-risk AI systems: AI applications used in law enforcement, healthcare, education, critical infrastructure, and more, as listed in Annex III of the Act.
General-purpose AI (GPAI) models: Foundation models like large language models that can be adapted for various downstream applications, subject to specific obligations starting August 2025.
Unacceptable risk AI: AI systems deemed to pose “unacceptable risks” that became strictly prohibited from February 2, 2025, including manipulative AI, predictive policing, social scoring, and biometric identification systems.
AI Providers: Organizations that develop AI systems and place them on the EU market, bearing primary compliance responsibilities under the regulation.
AI Deployers: Entities using AI in a professional context, subject to specific obligations depending on the AI system’s risk category.
Conformity Assessment: Verification process to ensure AI systems comply with EU AI Act standards, conducted through self-assessment or third-party evaluation.
AI Office: European Commission authority that coordinates AI Act implementation across Member States and oversees general-purpose AI provider compliance.
EU AI Act Passage Impact on Different Industries
Since the EU AI Act passage in March 2024, various sectors have been preparing for compliance requirements. The artificial intelligence legislation affects organizations differently based on their AI usage and risk categories.
Financial Services and EU AI Act Compliance
Banks and financial institutions using AI for credit scoring, fraud detection, and algorithmic trading must assess their systems against high-risk categories. The EU AI Act passage timeline gives financial firms until August 2026 for most compliance requirements.
Healthcare AI and EU Artificial Intelligence Act
Medical AI systems, including diagnostic tools and treatment recommendation algorithms, fall under high-risk classifications. Healthcare providers have until August 2027 for AI systems embedded in regulated medical devices.
Technology Companies and AI Act Implementation
Tech companies developing general-purpose AI models face the earliest compliance deadlines. Following the EU AI Act passage, GPAI providers must meet new obligations starting August 2025, including transparency requirements and copyright compliance.
EU AI Act Enforcement and Penalties
Non-compliance could lead to significant penalties, with fines reaching up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover, making the EU AI Act passage date of March 2024 a critical milestone for business planning.
The penalties vary by violation type:
- Prohibited AI systems: Up to €35 million or 7% of annual global turnover
- High-risk AI non-compliance: Up to €15 million or 3% of annual global turnover
- Information supply violations: Up to €7.5 million or 1.5% of annual global turnover
How to Prepare for EU AI Act Compliance
With the EU AI Act passed in March 2024 and implementation phases beginning February 2025, organisations should:
- Conduct AI system inventory: Catalog all AI systems used across your organisation
- Risk classification assessment: Determine which AI systems fall into high-risk, limited-risk, or minimal-risk categories
- Governance framework development: Establish compliance procedures and documentation requirements
- Staff training programs: Implement AI literacy training as required by Article 4, effective February 2025
- Legal and technical documentation: Prepare conformity assessments and technical documentation
- Ongoing monitoring systems: Establish post-market surveillance capabilities.
To clearly understand your risks and obligations, here’s a starting point.
International Implications of EU AI Act Passage
The EU AI Act passage in March 2024 has triggered global regulatory developments. According to the May 2025 Global AI legislation tracker, countries around the world are developing and implementing AI governance legislation and policies. In fact, European artificial intelligence regulation serves as a template for other jurisdictions considering AI governance frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was the EU AI Act passed exactly?
The EU AI Act was passed by the European Parliament on March 13, 2024, with a vote of 523 for, 46 against, and 49 abstaining. The European Council formally approved it on May 21, 2024.
When did the EU AI Act enter into force?
The EU AI Act entered into force on August 1, 2024, 20 days after being published in the Official Journal on July 12, 2024.
When do EU AI Act requirements become applicable?
The EU AI Act follows a phased implementation: prohibited AI systems became banned from February 2, 2025, general-purpose AI obligations start August 2, 2025, high-risk AI requirements begin August 2, 2026, and full compliance is required by August 2, 2027.
How long did it take for the EU AI Act to be passed?
The EU AI Act took approximately 3 years to pass, from the initial Commission proposal on April 21, 2021, to final passage on March 13, 2024.
When was the EU AI Act first proposed?
The EU AI Act was officially proposed by the European Commission on April 21, 2021.
What happens if companies don’t comply with the EU AI Act after it was passed?
Non-compliance with the EU AI Act can result in fines up to €35 million or 7% of global annual turnover, depending on the violation type and severity.
Does the EU AI Act apply to companies outside Europe?
Yes, the EU AI Act applies to providers and deployers of AI systems in third countries if the output produced by the AI system is being used in the EU.
When do AI systems already on the market need to comply?
Providers of GPAI models placed on the market before August 2, 2025, must achieve compliance by August 2, 2027. High-risk AI systems placed on the market before the applicable date only need to comply if they undergo significant changes in design or intended purpose.
What was the voting result when the EU AI Act was passed?
The European Parliament passed the EU AI Act on March 13, 2024, with 523 votes for, 46 against, and 49 abstaining.
When will member states need to implement EU AI Act enforcement?
Member states must designate national competent authorities and adopt national laws on penalties by August 2, 2025. At least one AI regulatory sandbox per member state should be operational by August 2, 2026.
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