iOS 27's new Siri AI is Apple's biggest upgrade to its voice assistant in years — but if you're in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium or Austria, there's something important you need to know before you get too excited. Apple has confirmed that Siri AI will not be available in the EU on iPhone when iOS 27 launches. This guide explains exactly what's happening, what EU iPhone users can still get, and what it means if you're thinking about an upgrade.
Apple has confirmed Siri AI will not be available on iPhone or iPad in the EU when iOS 27 launches — the reason is a regulatory disagreement over the Digital Markets Act. There is no confirmed release date for EU iPhone users. The rest of iOS 27 is still coming to the EU with meaningful improvements. And if you're considering an upgrade, choosing a compatible iPhone now means you're on the right hardware for when Siri AI does land in Europe. Browse compatible iPhones at HandySwap.
What Is Siri AI — and Why Does It Matter?
Apple describes Siri AI as a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. On supported devices, it is designed for more natural conversations, relevant personal context from your apps, and help with multi-step requests — think Siri that actually understands what is in your Calendar, Mail and Messages and can act across apps rather than just answering one thing at a time. It is a meaningful step forward from the Siri most iPhone users are used to.
That is exactly what makes the EU situation worth understanding clearly — because if Siri AI is part of why you are considering an upgrade, you need the full picture. For a complete breakdown of everything iOS 27 introduces, see our complete iOS 27 features guide.
The EU Situation — Why Siri AI Won't Launch on iPhone Here
Here is the straightforward version: Apple has confirmed that Siri AI will not be available on iPhone or iPad in the EU when iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 launch later this year. Every iPhone user in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria is affected — all four are EU member states.
Apple attributes the delay to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In Apple's account, the DMA as applied to iOS and iPadOS creates requirements around how AI assistants must access devices — requirements Apple says it cannot meet while maintaining the privacy and security protections built into Siri AI. Apple says it proposed solutions it believed would address those concerns; EU regulators did not accept them. Apple says it hopes to continue discussions on a path forward, but has not announced a timeline for EU iPhone and iPad users.
What this means in practice: Siri AI will not appear on your iPhone at the initial iOS 27 release — regardless of which model you have. There is no confirmed date. We will not speculate on one Apple has not given.
What EU iPhone Users Still Get With iOS 27
Here is the part that often gets lost in the coverage: the Siri AI block does not stop iOS 27 arriving in the EU. The wider update is still coming — it is only the Siri AI features specifically that are held back. Many of iOS 27's improvements have nothing to do with Siri AI, and those are still expected for EU iPhone users, though individual features can vary by device, language and region.
That includes Liquid Glass design refinements, a smarter Safari with automatic tab grouping and the new Notify Me page-watch feature, performance improvements across supported iPhones — Apple says up to 30% faster app launches in its own testing, though results vary — and a redesigned Screen Time with better parental controls including Ask to Browse and Time Allowances. A meaningful update even without Siri AI.
One thing worth knowing: EU users with a compatible Mac running macOS 27 or Apple Vision Pro will be able to access Siri AI from launch. The DMA's obligations apply to iOS and iPadOS specifically — macOS and visionOS are not subject to the same requirements, so Apple can offer Siri AI there. Apple Watch users in the EU are also affected: Siri AI on watchOS 27 requires a paired iPhone running Siri AI, which EU iPhones won't have at launch.
Also worth noting: language is not the issue here. Apple Intelligence already supports Dutch, French and German — among other languages. The blocker for EU iPhone users is purely regulatory, not linguistic. Once the regulatory situation is resolved, users in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria will be able to use Siri AI in their own language on a compatible iPhone.
Using an iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus? You can install iOS 27, but Apple Intelligence and Siri AI are not available on those models regardless of region.
Using an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 model or later eligible model? Your iPhone meets Apple's current eligibility requirements for Apple Intelligence — but Siri AI is still unavailable in the EU at launch.
Buying today? Choose based on what is available now — not on a date for Siri AI in the EU that Apple has not confirmed.
Should EU iPhone Buyers Still Upgrade?
Yes — and here is why the hardware decision still matters. Siri AI is a software situation, not a hardware one. When Siri AI does become available in the EU, only newer iPhones will support it — specifically iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models and later eligible models. Choosing one of these now means you are on the right device the moment Siri AI lands in Europe. A standard iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus or anything older will not support it regardless of when the regulatory situation changes.
And in the meantime, iOS 27 brings real improvements to those devices — faster performance, a better Safari, improved photo tools and more — that you get right now, without waiting. For a full model-by-model breakdown of which iOS 27 features work on which iPhone, see our iOS 27 compatibility guide.
- Upgrade now if: you want the iOS 27 performance and camera improvements today, and you want a device that is already on Apple's compatibility list for Apple Intelligence — ready for Siri AI when it arrives in the EU.
- Hold off if: Siri AI is the only reason you were considering upgrading and your current iPhone is still doing the job. That is a completely fair call.
Get an iPhone that is ready for Siri AI when it lands in Europe — browse HandySwap's range of Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones, including iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 models. If you are upgrading, you can trade in your current iPhone as part of a new-device purchase — get a condition-based estimate and get paid after HandySwap inspects the device.
Want the full iOS 27 feature picture? Read our complete guide: iOS 27 Features: The Biggest New iPhone Features Explained (2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Siri AI available in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium or Austria?
Not at launch, no. Apple has confirmed Siri AI will not be available on iPhone or iPad in the EU when iOS 27 releases — and that includes Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria, all of which are EU member states. Apple has not announced a date for when that changes.
Why is Siri AI not available in the EU on iPhone?
Apple attributes the delay to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In Apple's account, the DMA as applied to iOS and iPadOS creates requirements that Apple says it cannot meet while protecting user privacy. Apple says it proposed solutions; EU regulators did not accept them. No timeline has been announced for EU iPhone and iPad users.
When will Siri AI come to Europe?
Apple has not given a date — and we will not speculate on one. Apple has said it hopes to find a path forward with EU regulators, but there is currently no confirmed timeline for Siri AI on iPhone or iPad in the EU.
Do EU users get iOS 27 at all?
Yes — iOS 27 is still coming to the EU. The Siri AI block is specific to those features; it does not hold back the wider update. EU iPhone users can still expect Liquid Glass design refinements, Safari improvements, performance gains and the redesigned parental controls, though individual features vary by device, language and region.
Can EU users get Siri AI on any Apple device?
Yes — on Mac and Apple Vision Pro. The DMA's obligations apply to iOS and iPadOS specifically, not to macOS or visionOS, so EU users with a compatible Mac running macOS 27 or Apple Vision Pro can access Siri AI from launch. Apple Watch users in the EU cannot — Siri AI on watchOS 27 requires a paired iPhone running Siri AI, which EU iPhones won't have at launch.
Is language the reason Siri AI is delayed in the EU?
No — language is not the issue. Apple Intelligence already supports Dutch, French and German, among other languages. The delay for EU iPhone users is regulatory, not linguistic. Once the regulatory situation is resolved, users in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria will be able to use Siri AI in their own language on a compatible iPhone.
Should I buy an iPhone now even though Siri AI isn't available yet in the EU?
If you are already thinking about upgrading, yes — the hardware decision still matters. When Siri AI does become available in the EU, only iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models and later eligible models will support it. Buying one of those now means you are on the right device from day one. And you get iOS 27's other improvements right away, without waiting.