Europe Opens Consultation on AI Act Fines of Up to 35 Million Euros

The European AI Office has opened a public consultation on draft implementation measures for the AI Act, according to the "PPC Land" platform. The consultation runs from October 12 to November 9, 2026, with plans to adopt the draft in the fourth quarter of the same year.

The draft comes as an implementing regulation under Articles 75c and 75d of the European AI Act. It establishes a five-year limitation period, representing the timeframe during which the regulatory authority can pursue violations and impose penalties.

Under Article 99 of the law, fines can reach up to 35 million euros or 7% of a company's global turnover, whichever is higher. The draft states that the five-year limitation period restarts each time the Commission takes an investigative step within an investigation or proceedings, such as requests for information, inspections, or the re-opening of proceedings, up to an absolute maximum of 10 years. For continuing or repeated non-compliance, the period begins only on the day the non-compliance ceases.

This framework means AI companies operating in Europe will face long-term oversight that will not conclude quickly. The magnitude of the fines places direct pressure on development and deployment decisions, especially for companies operating across multiple markets.

What do these terms mean?

AI Act: European legislation that classifies artificial intelligence systems according to risk level and imposes obligations on them.

Implementing Regulation: A text issued by a regulatory body detailing how an existing law is applied, defining practical procedures and details.

Limitation Period: The timeframe during which it remains legally possible to prosecute a violation and impose a penalty on it.