Ubuntu LTS Lifecycle

Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) releases arrive every two years in April. They receive five years of standard security maintenance, can reach ten years of coverage with Ubuntu Pro and Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM), and can reach a maximum of fifteen years with the paid Legacy add-on.

Those headline periods do not mean that every package and every Ubuntu variant receives identical coverage. For production planning, check the repository component that supplies each package, the Ubuntu Pro services enabled on the machine, and the support schedule for its kernel as well as the Ubuntu release number.

Ubuntu LTS and interim releases compared

Ubuntu version numbers identify the release year and month. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, for example, was released in April 2026. Interim releases between LTS versions deliver new features sooner, but their nine-month update window requires much more frequent upgrades.

The three stages of Ubuntu LTS security maintenance

Standard security maintenance: the first five years

Canonical provides five years of standard security maintenance for packages in the Main repository of an Ubuntu LTS release. This is the default period and does not require an Ubuntu Pro subscription.

Packages in Universe do not automatically receive the same Canonical maintenance commitment as Main during the standard period. To understand a system's actual exposure, identify which repository component supplied each installed package.

Ubuntu Pro ESM: coverage through year ten

Ubuntu Pro includes Expanded Security Maintenance. The esm-infra service extends security maintenance for Main packages after the standard five-year period, while esm-apps provides ten years of security coverage for packages in Universe, measured from the original LTS release.

Ubuntu Pro is available free of charge for personal use on up to five machines. This does not mean that every support service or enterprise feature is free; organizations should verify subscription terms and the support level they require.

Legacy add-on: coverage through year fifteen

After the ten-year ESM period ends, the paid Legacy add-on can extend security maintenance and support for another five years. An eligible LTS release can therefore receive coverage for as long as fifteen years from its release date.

The phrase “fifteen years of support” should not be confused with the default maintenance period. The correct distinction is five years of standard security maintenance, ten years with Ubuntu Pro ESM, and fifteen years only when the Legacy add-on is included.

Ubuntu LTS support schedule

The following dates reflect Canonical's published lifecycle information as of September 2026. Policies and detailed end dates can change, so confirm the official lifecycle page before approving an upgrade or long-term deployment plan.

“Ubuntu Pro coverage ends” refers to the ESM period, while “Legacy coverage ends” is the final date available with the additional Legacy option. If standard maintenance has ended and Ubuntu Pro is not enabled, the normal repositories alone may not provide every security update the installed system needs.

How to check your Ubuntu support status

Check the installed Ubuntu release

cat /etc/os-release
lsb_release -ds

/etc/os-release is available on most Ubuntu systems without an additional package. If lsb_release is not installed, the first command is normally enough to identify the release.

Check Ubuntu Pro and security coverage

pro status
pro security-status

pro status reports whether the machine is attached to Ubuntu Pro and which services are enabled. pro security-status helps summarize the security maintenance status of installed packages. On an older system without the pro command, check whether the ubuntu-advantage-tools package is installed and current.

Point releases and kernel support need separate checks

A point release does not restart the lifecycle

Point releases such as Ubuntu 24.04.1 and 24.04.2 combine updated installation media with accumulated fixes. Installing Ubuntu 24.04.5 at a later date does not extend the lifecycle of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS beyond the published end dates for the release family.

HWE kernels can have their own schedule

Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernels used by Ubuntu Desktop and some installation images can move to newer kernel series to support recent hardware. Do not assume that the lifecycle of an installed kernel package is identical to the lifecycle of the Ubuntu release; consult Canonical's kernel lifecycle information as well.

Ubuntu flavors and Ubuntu-based distributions

Official flavors such as Kubuntu and Xubuntu can have different maintenance periods for their desktop environments and flavor-specific packages. Distinguish the support period for packages in Ubuntu's Main repository from the maintenance commitment made by the flavor project.

Ubuntu-based distributions such as Linux Mint also publish their own support policies. The lifecycle of the underlying Ubuntu release does not, by itself, define the support status of the entire derivative distribution.

How to plan an Ubuntu LTS upgrade

1. Identify the installed Ubuntu release and its standard security maintenance end date.
2. Review the proportion of installed packages from Main and Universe, and verify whether Ubuntu Pro services are enabled.
3. Confirm that applications, databases, hardware drivers, and third-party repositories support the next LTS release.
4. Test backups and restoration before validating the release upgrade in a cloned or staging environment.
5. Schedule production migration and rollback well before the current release reaches the end of the required coverage period.

Ubuntu Pro can provide more time to prepare a migration, but it is not a substitute for upgrades forever. Hardware support, third-party repositories, and application runtimes can reach end of life independently of Ubuntu ESM.

Frequently asked questions

Does every package in an Ubuntu LTS release receive five years of standard support?

No. Canonical's standard five-year security maintenance commitment primarily applies to packages in Main. Review Ubuntu Pro and esm-apps coverage when you need Canonical security maintenance for packages in Universe.

Does the computer stop working when standard maintenance ends?

No, the system does not immediately stop. However, packages outside the active maintenance scope may no longer receive needed security updates. Upgrade to a supported LTS release or enable an applicable Ubuntu Pro ESM service.

Does Ubuntu Pro automatically provide fifteen years of coverage?

No. Ubuntu Pro ESM extends an eligible LTS release through year ten. The final five years require the separate paid Legacy add-on.

Which Ubuntu version should I install on a new server?

For long-term operation, start by evaluating the latest supported LTS release. Application certification, hardware drivers, or an organization's standard image may require the previous LTS, so compare compatibility with the remaining support period before deciding.

Official references

• Canonical Ubuntu release cycle and lifecycle dates
• Ubuntu Expanded Security Maintenance
• Ubuntu security update coverage documentation