Red Hat Enterprise Linux End of Support Dates by Version
Red Hat Enterprise Linux end of support dates: 7 versions are listed below. 4 are already past Red Hat's end of support, most recently Enterprise Linux 7 (ELS) on Jun 30, 2024; the next to end is Enterprise Linux 8 (Upcoming ELS) on May 31, 2029. Red Hat sells Red Hat Extended Life Cycle Support (ELS) for a limited period after that date. Third-party support keeps any of these versions in production after the vendor date, with 24x7 incident response, vulnerability mitigation and compliance documentation, typically at 40-70% below the vendor's renewal.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions and end of support dates
"Vendor end of support" is the date Red Hat stops free fixes and security updates. "Extended end" is the end of the paid extension where Red Hat offers one. Each version links to its own page and quote form.
| Version | Vendor end of support | |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Linux 10 (Upcoming ELS) | May 31, 2035 | Get support |
| Enterprise Linux 9 (Upcoming ELS) | May 31, 2032 | Get support |
| Enterprise Linux 8 (Upcoming ELS) | May 31, 2029 | Get support |
| Enterprise Linux 7 (ELS) | Jun 30, 2024 | Get support |
| Enterprise Linux 6 (ELS) | Nov 30, 2020 | Get support |
| Enterprise Linux 5 (ELS) | Mar 31, 2017 | Get support |
| Enterprise Linux 4 | Feb 29, 2012 | Get support |
Why Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions stay in production
RHEL major versions have a ten-year lifecycle, and the minor release a system is frozen on is usually dictated by an application vendor's certification. RHEL 7 systems remain in production years after the end of Maintenance Support for that reason.
Red Hat sells Extended Life Cycle Support as an add-on for a limited period. Third-party support is the alternative for systems that are staying put while a migration to RHEL 8 or 9, or to another distribution, is planned.
How Red Hat's support lifecycle works for Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Each RHEL major version passes through Full Support, Maintenance Support and then end of Maintenance Support, after which Red Hat offers Extended Life Cycle Support (ELS) as a paid add-on for a limited period. Minor versions have Extended Update Support windows of their own.
The subscription is for support and updates, not a licence to run the software; systems keep running when it lapses, without errata.
What changes on the end of support date
- Red Hat stops publishing errata, including security advisories, for the major version outside ELS.
- Support cases require an active subscription with ELS.
- Systems keep running; package repositories for the version stop receiving updates.
Your options after Red Hat Enterprise Linux end of support
1. Upgrade to a supported version
Right when the application above it is ready and the budget exists. Wrong as a forced move: an upgrade driven by a support date rather than a business need is where regression bugs and surprise licence costs come from.
2. Buy Red Hat Extended Life Cycle Support (ELS)
Red Hat's paid extension buys more time at a price that rises each year and typically covers security fixes only. It keeps the deadline in place and is often the most expensive line in the renewal.
3. Third-party support
Replaces the vendor contract with ours for the versions you run, with no deadline. For Red Hat Enterprise Linux that covers:
- Operating system, kernel, storage, networking and cluster incidents, 24x7
- Vulnerability assessment and mitigation for new CVEs after errata stop
- Compliance evidence for systems that must remain on a certified release
- Migration planning to a current RHEL or an alternative distribution
Not included: new vendor patches or licences. Those stay with Red Hat; everything operational moves to us.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux end of support: frequently asked questions
Which Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions are out of support?
Enterprise Linux 7 (ELS) (Jun 30, 2024), Enterprise Linux 6 (ELS) (Nov 30, 2020), Enterprise Linux 5 (ELS) (Mar 31, 2017), Enterprise Linux 4 (Feb 29, 2012). All of them can be covered by third-party support.
Can RHEL 7 servers stay supported after Red Hat end of maintenance?
Yes. Third-party support covers operating system incidents and provides vulnerability mitigation and compliance documentation; Red Hat ELS remains the only source of Red Hat errata.
Do we need a Red Hat subscription to keep running RHEL?
No. The systems keep running without one. The subscription provides updates and support, which third-party support replaces for operational purposes.
What does third-party support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux cost?
Typically 40 to 70% below the vendor renewal or extended-support price for the same versions, priced per instance, server or core depending on the product. We return an indicative price within 24 hours and a firm quote within 48.
How do we move Red Hat Enterprise Linux to third-party support without a gap?
Start before the vendor renewal date: inventory versions and instances, download all media and fixes you are entitled to, confirm no bundled contract depends on the renewal, then let the vendor support lapse as ours starts. We handle the hand-over checklist with you.
Version-by-version guides
- RHEL 7 (ELS) End of Life: June 30, 2024 - Guide & Options (Jun 30, 2024)
- RHEL 7 ELS End of Life June 2024 – Last-Call Action Plan (Mar 30, 2024)
- RHEL 7 (ELS) End of Life: June 30, 2024 | Migration Options (Dec 30, 2023)
- RHEL 7 EOL June 30, 2024 — Assess Your Options (Sep 30, 2023)
- RHEL 7 (ELS) End of Life: June 30, 2024 Budget Planning (May 30, 2023)