# Need an explanation for the Kibana Licensing

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/need-an-explanation-for-the-kibana-licensing/385300>\
**Category:** Kibana\
**Tags:** license, docker\
**Created:** [March 2, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/need-an-explanation-for-the-kibana-licensing/385300 "2026-03-02T13:22:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ItsMeBrille](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/itsmebrille/32/147025_2.png) [@ItsMeBrille](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/ItsMeBrille)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/need-an-explanation-for-the-kibana-licensing/385300/1 "2026-03-02T13:22:26Z")

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I read this: [License settings | Reference](https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/elasticsearch/configuration-reference/license-settings) but there are some things I dont understand.

This issue says it is only for elasticsearch: [Unable to configure xpack license setting via ENV vars · Issue #78 · elastic/kibana-docker · GitHub](https://github.com/elastic/kibana-docker/issues/78) . Does this mean Kibana has no licenses?

Does this variable only set the license type for Elasticsearch, or does it set it for Kibana as well?

`xpack.license.self_generated.type`

Also, what version do I get with the trial? Is it the full enterprise experience?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stephenb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/stephenb/32/40856_2.png) [@stephenb](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/stephenb)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/need-an-explanation-for-the-kibana-licensing/385300/2 "2026-03-02T14:59:35Z")

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HI @ItsMeBrille

An elastic cluster is "Licensed" not individual components.  
That license is applied / stored in Elasticsearch.  
There are 2 ways to CRUD licenses for a normal self managaed clusters

1. [Via the Elasticsearch license API](https://www.elastic.co/docs/api/doc/elasticsearch/group/endpoint-license)
2. Via Kibana - Stack Management -\> License Management

Via Docker this worked for me in the `elasticsearch` definition

```auto
    environment:
      - ES_JAVA_OPTS=-Xms2g -Xmx2g
      - bootstrap.memory_lock=true
      - discovery.type=single-node
      - xpack.security.enabled=false
      - xpack.security.enrollment.enabled=false
      - xpack.license.self_generated.type=trial

```