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---
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stage: Fulfillment
group: License
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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
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---
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# Activate GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE) **(PREMIUM SELF)**
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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.
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## Activate GitLab EE
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In GitLab Enterprise Edition 14.1 and later, you need an activation code to activate
your instance.
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Prerequisite:
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- 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.
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To activate your instance with an activation code:
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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.
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1. Sign in to your GitLab self-managed instance.
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1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Admin** .
1. On the left sidebar, select **Subscription** .
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1. Paste the activation code in **Activation code** .
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1. Read and accept the terms of service.
1. Select **Activate** .
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The subscription is activated.
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If you have an offline or airgapped environment,
[activate GitLab EE with a license file or key ](license_file.md ) instead.
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If you have questions or need assistance activating your instance,
[contact GitLab Support ](https://about.gitlab.com/support/#contact-support ).
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When [the license expires ](license_file.md#what-happens-when-your-license-expires ),
some functionality is locked.
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## Verify your GitLab edition
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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.
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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,
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[contact GitLab Support ](https://about.gitlab.com/support/#contact-support ).
