If you’re managing servers or working in development, understanding operating system end-of-life schedules is crucial for maintaining security and stability. Today, we’ll dive into the comprehensive end-of-life schedule for Debian Linux, one of the most trusted distributions among developers and system administrators.
1. What is Debian Linux? – The Stability-Focused Distribution
Debian is a free software project founded by Ian Murdock in 1993, serving as one of the foundational GNU/Linux distributions. It forms the base for many popular distributions including Ubuntu and Linux Mint.
Debian’s core philosophy centers on stability. Rather than rushing to include the latest software, Debian thoroughly tests packages before incorporating them into the stable release. This approach has earned particular trust in server environments.
Understanding Debian’s Support Policy
Debian follows a unique three-tier support structure:
- Regular Security Support: Approximately 3 years managed by the Debian Security Team
- Long Term Support (LTS): Additional 2 years managed by a separate LTS team
- Extended Long Term Support (ELTS): Commercial service extending support up to 10 years total
2. Current Supported Debian Versions
Latest Stable Release – Debian 13 “Trixie”
Released on August 9, 2025, this is the current stable version.
- Release Date: August 9, 2025
- Regular Support End: August 9, 2028
- LTS Support End: June 30, 2030
- Key Features: Linux 6.12 LTS kernel, 64-bit RISC-V support, KDE Plasma 6
Previous Version Status – Debian 12 “Bookworm”
- Release Date: June 10, 2023
- Regular Support End: June 10, 2026
- LTS Support End: June 30, 2028
- Current Status: Oldstable
3. Complete Debian Version EOL/EOS Schedule
Currently Supported Versions
| Version | Codename | Release Date | Regular Support End | LTS Support End | Supported Architectures | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Trixie | 2025-08-09 | 2028-08-09 | 2030-06-30 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386(limited) | Stable |
| 12 | Bookworm | 2023-06-10 | 2026-06-10 | 2028-06-30 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386 | Oldstable |
| 11 | Bullseye | 2021-08-14 | 2024-08-14 | 2026-08-31 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386 | LTS |
End-of-Life LTS Versions
| Version | Codename | Release Date | Regular Support End | LTS Support End | Final Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Buster | 2019-07-06 | 2022-08-01 | 2024-06-30 | EOL |
| 9 | Stretch | 2017-06-17 | 2020-07-06 | 2022-06-30 | EOL |
| 8 | Jessie | 2015-04-25 | 2018-06-17 | 2020-06-30 | EOL |
| 7 | Wheezy | 2013-05-04 | 2016-04-26 | 2018-05-31 | EOL |
| 6 | Squeeze | 2011-02-06 | 2014-05-31 | 2016-02-29 | EOL |
Legacy Versions (Pre-LTS Era)
| Version | Codename | Release Date | Support End | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | Lenny | 2009-02-14 | 2012-02-06 | ARM EABI support added |
| 4.0 | Etch | 2007-04-08 | 2010-02-15 | x86-64 support, UTF-8 by default |
| 3.1 | Sarge | 2005-06-06 | 2008-03-31 | debian-installer introduced |
| 3.0 | Woody | 2002-07-19 | 2006-06-30 | KDE included, cryptographic software |
Complete Historical Record (Early Versions)
| Version | Codename | Release Date | Support End | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | Potato | 2000-08-15 | 2003-06-30 | PowerPC, ARM support added |
| 2.1 | Slink | 1999-03-09 | 2000-10-30 | APT package manager introduced |
| 2.0 | Hamm | 1998-07-24 | 2000-03-09 | Multi-architecture support, libc6 transition |
| 1.3 | Bo | 1997-06-05 | 1998-07-24 | Complete ELF binary transition |
| 1.2 | Rex | 1996-12-12 | 1997-06-05 | 848 packages, 120 developers |
| 1.1 | Buzz | 1996-06-17 | 1996-12-12 | 474 packages, ELF transition begun |
| 0.93R6 | – | 1995-11-01 | 1996-06-17 | dselect introduced, last a.out version |
| 0.93R5 | – | 1995-03-01 | 1995-11-01 | dpkg package manager introduced |
Future Planned Versions
| Version | Codename | Expected Release | Expected Regular End | Expected LTS End | Development Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Forky | ~2027-2028 | ~2030-2031 | ~2032-2033 | Testing (in development) |
4. Critical Response Guidelines for EOL
Immediate Action Required
If you’re currently running Debian 10 (Buster) or earlier, immediate upgrade is required. All support ended on June 30, 2024, leaving systems vulnerable to security threats.
Upgrade Priority Assessment
- High Priority: Debian 9 and earlier → Immediate upgrade required
- Medium Priority: Debian 10 → Upgrade recommended by end of 2024
- Low Priority: Debian 11 → Grace period until 2026
- Stable: Debian 12, 13 → Long-term stable operation
Architecture-Specific Considerations
Important changes from Debian 13:
- i386 architecture: Installer discontinued (existing systems still supported)
- armel architecture: Support dropped except for Raspberry Pi
- mipsel architecture: Completely discontinued
If you’re operating 32-bit systems, consider staying on Debian 12 or planning hardware migration.
5. LTS and ELTS Detailed Information
Understanding LTS Transition
When transitioning from regular support to LTS, several changes occur:
- Team Change: Debian Security Team → LTS Team
- Reduced Scope: Some packages and architectures discontinued
- Lower Frequency: Focus on critical security issues only
LTS and ELTS Support Schedule
| Version | Codename | LTS Start | LTS End | ELTS End | LTS Architectures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Bookworm | 2026-06-11 | 2028-06-30 | 2033-06-30 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386 |
| 11 | Bullseye | 2024-08-15 | 2026-08-31 | 2031-08-31 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386 |
| 10 | Buster | 2022-08-01 | 2024-06-30 | 2029-06-30 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386 |
| 9 | Stretch | 2020-07-06 | 2022-06-30 | 2027-06-30 | amd64, arm64, armhf, i386 |
| 8 | Jessie | 2018-06-17 | 2020-06-30 | 2025-06-30 | amd64, i386, armel, armhf |
| 7 | Wheezy | 2016-04-26 | 2018-05-31 | 2023-05-31 | amd64, i386, armel, armhf |
| 6 | Squeeze | 2014-06-02 | 2016-02-29 | 2021-02-28 | amd64, i386 |
Extended LTS (ELTS) Information
ELTS is provided as a commercial service, extending support for an additional 5 years after LTS:
- Providers: Freexian and other commercial partners
- Total Support: Regular 3 years + LTS 2 years + ELTS 5 years = Total 10 years
- Scope: Limited package set
- Cost: Monthly subscription per server required
Architecture Support Changes
| Version | Added Architectures | Removed Architectures | Major Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | riscv64 | mipsel | i386, armel installer removal |
| 12 | – | – | All major architectures maintained |
| 11 | – | mips | MIPS big-endian 32-bit discontinued |
| 10 | – | – | Stable architecture support |
| 9 | arm64 | i586, powerpc | 64-bit ARM support introduction |
| 8 | arm64, ppc64el | s390, ia64, sparc | systemd default introduction |
| 7 | armhf | – | Multi-architecture support |
| 6 | – | – | kFreeBSD port initiation |
6. Current Latest Point Release Status
Latest Versions as of September 2025
| Major Version | Latest Point Release | Release Date | Next Scheduled Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 13 | 13.1 | 2025-09-06 | 13.2 (November 2025) |
| Debian 12 | 12.9 | 2025-01-11 | 12.10 (November 2025) |
| Debian 11 | 11.11 | 2024-08-31 | LTS transition complete |
Point Release Cycle Patterns
- Regular Support: Point releases every 2-3 months
- LTS Support: Critical security updates only as needed
- Emergency Security: Immediate updates when required
7. Upgrade Strategy and Best Practices
Upgrade Planning
- Current Version Check
cat /etc/debian_version
lsb_release -a
- Backup Strategy
- System configuration:
/etcdirectory - Package information:
/var/lib/dpkg - User data and critical files
- System configuration:
- Test Environment Setup
- Prepare test system identical to production
- Verify upgrade process beforehand
Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide
Step 1: Update Current System
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Change Repository Sources
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.backup
sudo sed -i 's/bullseye/bookworm/g' /etc/apt/sources.list
Step 3: Execute Upgrade
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --without-new-pkgs
sudo apt full-upgrade
8. Security Update Monitoring and System Management
Official Information Sources and Alerts
| Information Source | URL | RSS Feed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian Security | https://www.debian.org/security/ | ✅ | Regular security advisories |
| Debian LTS | https://www.debian.org/lts/security/ | ✅ | LTS security advisories |
| Release Notes | https://www.debian.org/releases/ | ✅ | Release information |
| EOL Tracker | https://endoflife.date/debian | ✅ | EOL schedule tracking |
System Version Check Commands
# Check current Debian version
cat /etc/debian_version
lsb_release -a
hostnamectl
# Check kernel version
uname -r
# Installed package information
dpkg --get-selections | wc -l
Automated Security Monitoring Tools
1. debian-security-support package
sudo apt install debian-security-support
check-support-status
2. unattended-upgrades automatic updates
sudo apt install unattended-upgrades
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -plow unattended-upgrades
3. Security updates only automatic installation
# Configure /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades
Unattended-Upgrade::Allowed-Origins {
"${distro_id}:${distro_codename}-security";
};
EOL Approach Checklist
| Phase | Task | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Verify current version and EOL schedule | 1 year before EOL |
| Phase 2 | Build upgrade test environment | 6 months before EOL |
| Phase 3 | Establish backup and recovery plan | 3 months before EOL |
| Phase 4 | Execute production environment upgrade | 1 month before EOL |
| Phase 5 | Post-upgrade verification and monitoring | Complete before EOL |
9. Alternatives and Migration Considerations
Alternative Distributions for Debian EOL
| Distribution | Regular Support | Extended Support | Upgrade Features | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu LTS | 5 years | 10 years (ESM) | Interim releases every 6 months | Desktop, cloud |
| RHEL/CentOS Stream | 10 years | Additional 4 years | Enterprise-focused | Corporate servers |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise | 13 years | Additional 3 years | Commercial support | Mission-critical |
| Rocky Linux | 10 years | – | RHEL compatible | CentOS replacement |
| AlmaLinux | 10 years | – | RHEL compatible | Free enterprise |
Container Environment EOL Management
Docker Image Update Checklist
# Safe base image selection
FROM debian:bookworm-slim
# Or specific version pinning
FROM debian:12.9-slim
# Include security updates
RUN apt-get update && \
apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
security-updates && \
apt-get clean && \
rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
Kubernetes Environment Management
| Component | Management Method | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Base Image | Regular rebuild and deployment | Prohibit EOL image usage |
| Security Scanner | Trivy, Clair vulnerability scanning | CI/CD pipeline integration |
| Image Registry | Tag policy establishment | Prohibit latest tag usage |
Migration Decision Matrix
| Consideration | Stay with Debian | Other Distribution | Scoring Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Compatibility | Maintain existing scripts | Modifications required | 5: Full compatibility |
| Support Duration | 5 years (3+2) | Varies by distribution | 5: 10+ years |
| Operating Costs | Free | Commercial distributions cost | 5: Completely free |
| Team Expertise | Leverage existing experience | New learning required | 5: No additional learning |
| Ecosystem | Strong community | Varies by distribution | 5: Active community |
Decision Guide:
- 20-25 points: Recommend staying with Debian
- 15-19 points: Case-by-case evaluation
- 10-14 points: Consider migration
- Below 10: Active migration required
References and Useful Links:
- Debian Official Release Information
- Debian LTS Project
- EOL Tracking Site
- Debian Security Information