diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b2c04ff..5c1fab7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
 # aoc2022
 
 https://adventofcode.com/2022
+
+## Requirements
+
+The project now targets **Java 21**. Ensure a JDK 21 installation is available
+to compile and run the solutions.
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d9c55b7..ee46c83 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
                     </execution>
                 </executions>
                 <configuration>
-                    <jvmTarget>1.8</jvmTarget>
+                    <jvmTarget>21</jvmTarget>
                 </configuration>
             </plugin>
             <plugin>