Why Joomla 3 Websites Must Be Upgraded Immediately
(Security & Business Risks in 2026)
Joomla 3 Is Now Fully End-of-Life
Official free support for Joomla 3 (specifically version 3.10.x) ended on August 17, 2023.
An Extended Long Term Support (eLTS) program provided optional paid security coverage for an additional 18 months — but that program concluded on February 17, 2025.
This means Joomla 3 now has:
- No security updates
- No bug fixes
- No compatibility updates
- No official support
Joomla 3 is now fully end-of-life.
Yet thousands of websites across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are still running on Joomla 3.
Running unsupported software exposes businesses to security, operational, and reputational risks.
1. Security Risk: Your Website Is Increasingly Vulnerable
When software reaches end-of-life, newly discovered vulnerabilities are no longer patched.
Attackers actively scan for:
- Outdated CMS versions
- Unsupported PHP versions
- Abandoned extensions
A Joomla 3 website in 2026 is significantly more exposed.
Risks include:
- Malware injections
- Data breaches
- SEO spam links
- Website defacement
- Hosting suspension
For companies in the DACH region, where data protection and compliance standards are strict, this is not just a technical concern – it can become a legal and reputational issue.
2. Hosting & PHP Compatibility Problems
Modern hosting providers increasingly require:
- PHP 8.1 or higher
- Updated database environments
- Modern server configurations
Joomla 3 was built for older PHP versions (7.x).
Running it on modern hosting environments often leads to:
- Fatal errors
- Broken plugins
- Performance instability
- Unexpected downtime
Sooner or later, hosting upgrades will force migration.
The real question is:
Do you want to upgrade in a controlled, structured way — or under time pressure after something breaks?
3. Extension & Template Abandonment
Many Joomla 3 extensions:
- Are no longer maintained
- Do not support Joomla 5
- Are incompatible with PHP 8+
During recent migrations we handled in the DACH region, we encountered:
- Page builders removed in newer versions
- Templates built on outdated frameworks
- Extensions completely discontinued
The longer you wait, the more complex and expensive the migration becomes.
4. Performance & SEO Disadvantages
Joomla 5 offers:
- Improved performance
- Modern architecture
- Enhanced security framework
- Compatibility with PHP 8+ and Bootstrap 5
Older Joomla 3 websites often struggle with:
- Slow loading times
- Poor Core Web Vitals
- Mobile compatibility limitations
- Outdated SEO capabilities
In competitive DACH markets, performance directly impacts:
- Search rankings
- Conversion rates
- User trust
5. Why You Cannot Upgrade Directly from Joomla 3 to Joomla 5
A direct upgrade from Joomla 3 to Joomla 5 is not supported.
The correct and safe migration path is:
- Joomla 3 → Joomla 4 → Joomla 5
This ensures:
- Database stability
- Extension compatibility validation
- Framework transition
- Controlled testing and validation
A structured migration prevents:
- Data loss
- Broken layouts
- Downtime
Conclusion
Upgrading from Joomla 3 to Joomla 5 is no longer optional maintenance.
It is a strategic decision to protect:
- Your website security
- Your business reputation
- Your data integrity
- Your long-term digital stability
If your website is still running on Joomla 3, now is the right time to evaluate a structured upgrade path.
Request a Technical Assessment of Your Joomla Website
If your website is still running on Joomla 3, now is the right time to evaluate a structured upgrade strategy.
Based on our recent Joomla 3 → 5 migration projects, we can quickly assess:
- Your current Joomla version
- PHP compatibility
- Extension risks
- Migration complexity
- Potential security exposure
We offer a complimentary technical review of your Joomla installation.
This assessment helps you understand:
- Whether immediate action is required
- What the migration path would look like
- How to minimize downtime and risk
If you would like a structured evaluation of your Joomla website, feel free to contact us.
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