Oracle Database End-of-Life Dates: Complete Lifetime Support Guide
Oracle Database does not use a simple "end of life" date. Instead, Oracle's Lifetime Support Policy moves every release through three phases — Premier Support, Extended Support, and Sustaining Support — and the rules differ between Long-Term Releases and Innovation Releases. This guide lays out the exact Premier and Extended Support dates for every Oracle Database version, explains what each phase actually means for security, and tells you which version to move to.
Oracle Database Lifetime Support Summary
The table below shows Premier and Extended Support end dates for Oracle Database On-Premises Server releases. Dates reflect Oracle's published Lifetime Support Policy.
| Release | GA Release | Premier Support Ends | Extended Support Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23ai / 26ai (LTR) | 2023–2024 | Dec 31, 2031 | Available | Active |
| 21c (Innovation) | Aug 13, 2021 | Jul 31, 2027 | None | Active |
| 19c (LTR) | Apr 25, 2019 | Dec 31, 2029 | Dec 31, 2032 | Active · Recommended |
| 18c | Jul 23, 2018 | Jun 30, 2021 | None | EOL |
| 12c Release 2 (12.2) | Mar 1, 2017 | Mar 31, 2022 | None | EOL |
| 12c Release 1 (12.1) | Jun 25, 2013 | Jul 31, 2018 | Jul 31, 2022 | EOL |
| 11g Release 2 | Sep 1, 2009 | Jan 31, 2015 | Dec 31, 2020 | EOL |
| 11g Release 1 | Aug 9, 2007 | Aug 31, 2012 | Aug 31, 2015 | EOL |
| 10g Release 2 | Jul 11, 2005 | Jul 31, 2010 | Jul 31, 2015 | EOL |
Understanding Oracle's Lifetime Support Phases
Oracle applies the same three-phase Lifetime Support Policy to every database release. Knowing which phase your version is in matters more than the version number itself.
Phase 1 – Premier Support (first 5 years for LTR)
Premier Support is the full-support phase included in your standard support contract. It provides bug fixes, security patches and Critical Patch Updates, new certifications, and access to support. For Long-Term Releases this phase lasts about five years from general availability.
Phase 2 – Extended Support (up to 3 additional years, LTR only, paid)
Extended Support is an optional paid add-on, available only for Long-Term Releases, that extends full error correction and security coverage for up to three years beyond Premier Support. Oracle has at times waived the fee for the first year of Extended Support on specific releases. Innovation Releases (such as 21c) do not get Extended Support at all.
Phase 3 – Sustaining Support (indefinite, but no new fixes)
After Extended Support ends, a release moves to Sustaining Support, which Oracle offers indefinitely. Critically, Sustaining Support includes no new security patches, bug fixes, error corrections, or certifications — only access to previously released patches and the knowledge base. From a security and compliance standpoint, a database on Sustaining Support is effectively end of life.
Long-Term Releases vs. Innovation Releases
Since 19c, Oracle has split database releases into two tracks:
- Long-Term Releases (LTR) — for example 19c and 23ai. Supported for about 5 years of Premier Support plus up to 3 years of Extended Support. These are the releases you should standardize on for production.
- Innovation Releases — for example 21c. Supported for roughly 2 years of Premier Support with no Extended Support. Intended for early adopters who want the newest features, not for long-lived production systems.
Oracle Database 19c — The Recommended Release
Oracle Database 19c (released April 25, 2019) is the most widely deployed Oracle release and the long-term home for the 12.2 release family. Premier Support runs through December 31, 2029, and Extended Support is available through December 31, 2032. For most organizations on 11g, 12c, or 18c, 19c is the safest, best-supported upgrade target.
Oracle Database 23ai (26ai) — The Newest Long-Term Release
23ai is Oracle's current long-term release, headlined by built-in AI capabilities such as AI Vector Search. It was originally announced as 23c, renamed 23ai to reflect those AI features, and the release line was later rebranded 26ai — while keeping 23 as the internal version number. Premier Support runs through December 31, 2031, with Extended Support available afterward. It is the recommended target for new deployments that want the longest runway.
Oracle Database 21c — Innovation Release
Oracle Database 21c (released August 13, 2021) is an Innovation Release. Its Premier Support window was extended to July 31, 2027, but it has no Extended Support. Because Innovation Releases are short-lived by design, 21c is not recommended for systems you intend to run for years — move to 19c or 23ai instead.
Legacy Versions — 18c, 12c, and 11g
All of the following are past every supported phase and now receive only Sustaining Support (no new security patches):
- Oracle 18c — Premier Support ended June 30, 2021; no Extended Support. EOL.
- Oracle 12c Release 2 (12.2) — Premier Support ended March 31, 2022; no Extended Support. EOL.
- Oracle 12c Release 1 (12.1) — Extended Support ended July 31, 2022. EOL.
- Oracle 11g Release 2 — Extended Support ended December 31, 2020. EOL.
If you are running any of these, you have been without new security fixes for years. Migrating to 19c (or 23ai) should be treated as a priority, not a backlog item.
How to Check Your Oracle Database Version
Connect with SQL*Plus (or any SQL client) and run:
SELECT BANNER_FULL FROM V$VERSION;Or, for the version number on its own:
SELECT version_full FROM PRODUCT_COMPONENT_VERSION
WHERE product LIKE 'Oracle Database%';What to Do When Your Oracle Database Is Approaching EOL
- Upgrade to a Long-Term Release — move to 19c (most proven) or 23ai (newest). Oracle's AutoUpgrade tool handles most direct upgrade paths from 11g/12c/18c/19c.
- Purchase Extended Support — available only for Long-Term Releases (e.g., 19c through 2032), as a paid bridge while you plan a migration.
- Consider third-party support — vendors such as those offering Market-Driven Support or independent Oracle support can provide security coverage for versions Oracle no longer patches, though they are not a substitute for upgrading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oracle Database 19c still supported?
Yes. 19c is the most widely deployed long-term release. Premier Support runs through December 31, 2029, with Extended Support (paid) to December 31, 2032. It is the recommended upgrade target for most environments.
Is Oracle Database 12c end of life?
Yes. Oracle 12c Release 1 (12.1) Extended Support ended July 31, 2022, and 12c Release 2 (12.2) Premier Support ended March 31, 2022 with no Extended Support. Both are now on Sustaining Support only — no new security patches.
When did Oracle Database 11g reach end of life?
Oracle 11g Release 2 Premier Support ended January 31, 2015 and Extended Support ended December 31, 2020. It has been on Sustaining Support (no new security fixes) ever since, so any 11g system is effectively unsupported for security.
What is Oracle Database 23ai, and what happened to 23c and 26ai?
23ai is Oracle's current long-term release. It was first announced as 23c, renamed 23ai for its built-in AI features, and the line was later rebranded 26ai while keeping 23 as the internal version number. Premier Support runs through December 31, 2031.
Is Oracle Database 21c a long-term release?
No. 21c is an Innovation Release — about two years of Premier Support and no Extended Support. Its Premier Support runs to July 31, 2027. For long-term production, use 19c or 23ai.
What is Oracle Sustaining Support?
Sustaining Support is offered indefinitely after Premier and Extended Support end, but provides no new security patches, bug fixes, error corrections, or certifications — only access to existing patches and the knowledge base. A database on Sustaining Support is effectively end of life for security purposes.
What is the difference between Premier and Extended Support?
Premier Support is the standard 5-year full-support phase for long-term releases. Extended Support is an optional paid add-on that extends full coverage for up to 3 more years, available only for long-term releases. After that, only Sustaining Support remains.