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Python Version EOL Schedule (2026)

DodaTech Updated 2026-06-20 4 min read

In this tutorial, you'll learn about Python Version EOL Schedule (2026). We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices to help you understand and apply this topic effectively.

Python's version support policy follows a predictable cadence: one full-release (feature-complete) version every 12 months, each getting approximately 18 months of full (feature+bugfix) support followed by 3.5 years of security-only fixes. The Python Steering Council releases two major versions per calendar year (October and April), though in practice the April releases are typically release-candidate refinements and the October releases are the annual feature releases. Knowing which Python versions are still receiving security patches is critical for keeping your projects safe — running an unsupported version means new CVEs will never be patched by the CPython core team.

Python Version Support Table

Version Release Date Active Support End EOL / Security End
3.9 Oct 2020 Oct 2023 Oct 2025
3.10 Oct 2021 Oct 2024 Oct 2026
3.11 Oct 2022 Oct 2025 Oct 2027
3.12 Oct 2023 Oct 2026 Oct 2028
3.13 Oct 2024 Oct 2027 Oct 2029
3.14 Oct 2025 Oct 2028 Oct 2030

Python Support Policy

The Python release cycle is managed by the Python Steering Council and the Python core developers under PEP 602 (annual release cadence) and PEP 537 (calendar-based versioning).

  • Full support phase: ~18 months from release — receives feature updates, bug fixes, and security patches.
  • Security-only phase: ~3.5 years after full support ends — only critical security fixes are backported.
  • Total lifespan: approximately 5 years per major version.

Python releases two versions per year, typically in October and April. The October release is the main annual feature release; the April release is a bugfix-only version that bridges the gap. Only the latest two releases receive full support at any given time — older versions immediately enter the security-only phase.

Third-party redistributors (e.g., Anaconda, ActiveState, conda-forge) may extend support beyond the CPython EOL, but those are commercial or community extensions, not official.

How to Check Your Python Version

python --version
# or
python3 --version

To check programmatically:

import sys
print(sys.version)
print(sys.version_info)
# sys.version_info(major=3, minor=12, micro=0, releaselevel='final', serial=0)

Upgrade Path

Current Version Recommended Target Reason
3.9 (EOL Oct 2025) 3.12+ 3.9 is fully unsupported; 3.12 has active support through Oct 2026
3.10 3.13+ 3.10 enters security-only Oct 2024; move to 3.13 for active support
3.11 (security-only) 3.13 or 3.14 3.11 security support ends Oct 2027; 3.14 is current feature release
3.12 3.14 Current active version; upgrade within security timeline
3.13 3.14 Latest — stay current for newest features and longest support window

FAQ

When does Python 3.9 stop receiving any updates?

Python 3.9 reached end-of-life in October 2025. No further updates — including security patches — will be released by the CPython team. If you are still running 3.9, upgrade immediately.

What is the difference between Active Support and Security Support?

Active Support includes feature releases, bug fixes, and security patches. Security Support (also called "security-only phase") provides only critical security backports — no bug fixes, no new features. The security phase begins as soon as the next feature release ships.

Does Python have LTS (Long-Term Support) releases?

No. Python does not designate LTS releases. Every major version receives the same 5-year support window. Some third-party distributors (like Canonical for Ubuntu) provide extended support for specific Python versions, but these are not official CPython policies.

Can I still use a Python version after its EOL date?

You can, but it is not recommended. No security patches will be released for discovered vulnerabilities. This poses a security risk for any application exposed to untrusted input or networks. If you must use an EOL version, consider a commercial support provider or air-gapped deployment.

What is the current Python release?

As of June 2026, Python 3.14 is the latest feature release (released October 2025). Python 3.13 remains in active support until October 2027. Always check python.org for the latest status

How do Python 2 and 3 versions compare for support?

Python 2.7 reached end-of-life on January 1, 2020. No updates — including security — have been released since. Python 3 continues to receive active development under the current 5-year support cycle described above.

  • Node.js Release Schedule
  • Java / JDK LTS Schedule
  • PHP Version Support Timeline
  • Ruby Version End-of-Life Schedule
Next → Node.js Release Schedule (2026) — Complete Guide

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