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Gas Storage
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Gas storage is a strategic reserve that helps the EU cope with periods of high demand and with supply disruptions. In winter, storage typically covers 25–30% of the gas consumed in the EU, reduces the need for additional imports, and helps absorb supply shocks. (Energy)
The EU tightened its gas-storage framework after the price volatility of 2021–2022 and the shock caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The original Gas Storage Regulation (EU) 2022/1032 was adopted in June 2022. In March 2025, the Commission proposed extending the regime by two years, and the new Regulation (EU) 2025/1733 was published on 10 September 2025, extending the framework until the end of 2027.
On the same date in March 2025, the Commission also issued a recommendation on storage refilling flexibility.
Under the 2025–2027 rules, the annual 90% filling target remains in place, but the deadline has become more flexible: the target must now be reached within a two-month window from 1 October to 1 December, instead of by 1 November alone. Filling trajectories are now indicative unless a Member State decides otherwise, countries can deviate from the target in difficult market conditions or under technical constraints, and the Commission may further reduce the target if unfavourable market conditions persist. The text also makes clear that this flexibility is intended to avoid market distortion and system stress, provided it does not negatively affect other Member States or the functioning of the internal market.
If a country misses its filling target, the Commission assesses the impact on overall EU security of gas supply. After consulting the Gas Coordination Group and the Member State concerned, it may issue a recommendation setting out corrective measures.
The broader legal framework builds on the Gas Security of Supply Regulation (EU) 2017/1938, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2025/1733. Under this framework, gas-storage facilities are treated as critical infrastructure, and all storage operators are subject to an updated certification process designed to reduce the risks of outside interference. Operators must report filling levels to national authorities, Member States must monitor storage monthly, and they must also report to the Commission.
Another important element is the burden-sharing mechanism. Some EU countries have storage capacity larger than their own national consumption, while others have no storage facilities at all. Since all Member States benefit from minimum EU filling levels, the burden-sharing mechanism is meant to ensure that the costs of security of supply are not borne only by countries that physically host the storage sites. To support the annual 90% target, countries with underground gas storage set intermediate targets for 1 February, 1 May, 1 July and 1 September, based on the average filling rates of the previous five years.
The content also gives a snapshot of current storage levels. On 1 October 2025, the EU gas system had reached a storage level of 83%, corresponding to about 85 bcm of gas in stock at the start of winter. This was described as being within the range observed before the energy crisis and equivalent to around 25% of annual EU gas consumption. Starting from a 34% filling level on 1 April 2025, around 50 bcm of gas was injected during the summer, substantially more than in the previous two years.
Certification of storage system operators is another major part of the framework. Mandatory certification was introduced to prevent security risks linked to possible non-EU-country influence over gas-storage infrastructure. National certifying authorities had until 2 January 2024 to issue draft certification decisions and notify them to the Commission. The Commission then issues an opinion on each draft decision, and the national authority adopts the final certification decision after taking the Commission’s opinion into utmost account. The text lists opinions issued for operators in countries including Latvia, Slovakia, Spain, Romania, Belgium, Croatia and the Netherlands.
Overall, the content shows that EU gas storage is no longer treated as a purely technical market issue. It is part of a broader security architecture built around minimum filling levels, greater flexibility to avoid distortion, shared financial responsibility, continuous monitoring, and certification rules aimed at protecting critical infrastructure.
The EU tightened its gas-storage framework after the price volatility of 2021–2022 and the shock caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The original Gas Storage Regulation (EU) 2022/1032 was adopted in June 2022. In March 2025, the Commission proposed extending the regime by two years, and the new Regulation (EU) 2025/1733 was published on 10 September 2025, extending the framework until the end of 2027.
On the same date in March 2025, the Commission also issued a recommendation on storage refilling flexibility.
Under the 2025–2027 rules, the annual 90% filling target remains in place, but the deadline has become more flexible: the target must now be reached within a two-month window from 1 October to 1 December, instead of by 1 November alone. Filling trajectories are now indicative unless a Member State decides otherwise, countries can deviate from the target in difficult market conditions or under technical constraints, and the Commission may further reduce the target if unfavourable market conditions persist. The text also makes clear that this flexibility is intended to avoid market distortion and system stress, provided it does not negatively affect other Member States or the functioning of the internal market.
If a country misses its filling target, the Commission assesses the impact on overall EU security of gas supply. After consulting the Gas Coordination Group and the Member State concerned, it may issue a recommendation setting out corrective measures.
The broader legal framework builds on the Gas Security of Supply Regulation (EU) 2017/1938, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2025/1733. Under this framework, gas-storage facilities are treated as critical infrastructure, and all storage operators are subject to an updated certification process designed to reduce the risks of outside interference. Operators must report filling levels to national authorities, Member States must monitor storage monthly, and they must also report to the Commission.
Another important element is the burden-sharing mechanism. Some EU countries have storage capacity larger than their own national consumption, while others have no storage facilities at all. Since all Member States benefit from minimum EU filling levels, the burden-sharing mechanism is meant to ensure that the costs of security of supply are not borne only by countries that physically host the storage sites. To support the annual 90% target, countries with underground gas storage set intermediate targets for 1 February, 1 May, 1 July and 1 September, based on the average filling rates of the previous five years.
The content also gives a snapshot of current storage levels. On 1 October 2025, the EU gas system had reached a storage level of 83%, corresponding to about 85 bcm of gas in stock at the start of winter. This was described as being within the range observed before the energy crisis and equivalent to around 25% of annual EU gas consumption. Starting from a 34% filling level on 1 April 2025, around 50 bcm of gas was injected during the summer, substantially more than in the previous two years.
Certification of storage system operators is another major part of the framework. Mandatory certification was introduced to prevent security risks linked to possible non-EU-country influence over gas-storage infrastructure. National certifying authorities had until 2 January 2024 to issue draft certification decisions and notify them to the Commission. The Commission then issues an opinion on each draft decision, and the national authority adopts the final certification decision after taking the Commission’s opinion into utmost account. The text lists opinions issued for operators in countries including Latvia, Slovakia, Spain, Romania, Belgium, Croatia and the Netherlands.
Overall, the content shows that EU gas storage is no longer treated as a purely technical market issue. It is part of a broader security architecture built around minimum filling levels, greater flexibility to avoid distortion, shared financial responsibility, continuous monitoring, and certification rules aimed at protecting critical infrastructure.
