2019-05-26 23:31:04 +00:00
---
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
stage: Fulfillment
group: License
2020-11-26 06:09:20 +00:00
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
2019-05-26 23:31:04 +00:00
---
2022-01-05 00:11:07 +00:00
# Activate GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE) **(PREMIUM SELF)**
2019-05-05 14:17:38 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
When you install a new GitLab instance without a license, only Free features
are enabled. To enable more features in GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE), activate
your instance with an activation code.
2019-05-05 14:17:38 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
## Activate GitLab EE
2021-07-20 18:08:46 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
In GitLab Enterprise Edition 14.1 and later, you need an activation code to activate
your instance.
2021-07-20 18:08:46 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
Prerequisite:
2022-01-05 00:11:07 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
- You must [purchase a subscription ](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/ ).
- You must be running GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE).
- You must have GitLab 14.1 or later.
- Your instance must be connected to the internet.
2022-01-05 00:11:07 +00:00
To activate your instance with an activation code:
2021-07-20 18:08:46 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
1. Copy the activation code, a 24-character alphanumeric string, from either:
- Your subscription confirmation email.
- The [Customers Portal ](https://customers.gitlab.com/customers/sign_in ), on the **Manage Purchases** page.
2021-07-20 18:08:46 +00:00
1. Sign in to your GitLab self-managed instance.
2022-01-05 00:11:07 +00:00
1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Admin** .
1. On the left sidebar, select **Subscription** .
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
1. Paste the activation code in **Activation code** .
2021-07-20 18:08:46 +00:00
1. Read and accept the terms of service.
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
1. Select **Activate** .
2020-08-19 03:09:59 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
The subscription is activated.
2020-06-23 03:09:26 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
If you have an offline or airgapped environment,
[activate GitLab EE with a license file or key ](license_file.md ) instead.
2021-08-18 21:08:44 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
If you have questions or need assistance activating your instance,
[contact GitLab Support ](https://about.gitlab.com/support/#contact-support ).
2021-08-18 21:08:44 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
When [the license expires ](license_file.md#what-happens-when-your-license-expires ),
some functionality is locked.
2021-07-20 18:08:46 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
## Verify your GitLab edition
2021-08-13 18:09:11 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
To verify the edition, sign in to GitLab and select
**Help** (**{question-o}**) > **Help** . The GitLab edition and version are listed
at the top of the page.
2021-08-13 18:09:11 +00:00
2022-03-17 09:07:30 +00:00
If you are running GitLab Community Edition (CE), you can upgrade your installation to GitLab
EE. For more details, see [Upgrading between editions ](../../update/index.md#upgrading-between-editions ).
If you have questions or need assistance upgrading from GitLab CE to EE,
2022-01-11 00:13:53 +00:00
[contact GitLab Support ](https://about.gitlab.com/support/#contact-support ).