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Gas storage: Council greenlights 2-year extension of reserves filling rules to safeguard winter supply

European External Action Service (EEAS)

Council of the EU
Press release
18 July 2025 09:50

Today, the Council adopted proposed changes to the gas storage regulation, extending the current requirement for member states to maintain sufficient gas reserves before the winter season by an additional two years.

The objective of this measure is to mitigate the EU's vulnerability to price fluctuations owing to geopolitical tensions, particularly in the light of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, while at the same time striking a balance between energy security and the return to market-based principles.

Main elements of the legislation

The amendment to the regulation maintains the storage target of 90% and introduces additional flexibility for member states to adjust to ever-evolving market conditions and combat potential market manipulation.

It will enable member states to react faster to changing market conditions and get better deals when buying gas, while maintaining security of supply. Specifically:

• the existing binding target of 90% for gas storage is maintained, but with flexibility in meeting it anytime between 1 October and 1 December, replacing the current hard deadline of 1 November
• a 10% flexibility is introduced in case of difficult conditions in filling the storages. Additionally, through a delegated act, the European Commission may increase the flexibility towards the filling target by up to an additional 5% in case of persistent unfavourable market conditions
• intermediate storage targets will become indicative, offering predictability in storage levels while allowing market participants to purchase gas throughout the year when conditions are most advantageous

Next steps

Today's vote by the Council closes the adoption procedure. The regulation will enter into force the day after its publication in the EU's Official Journal.

Background

The gas storage regulation was adopted in June 2022, at the heart of the energy crisis, to ensure sufficient storage levels crucial to supply EU homes and businesses throughout winter and improve Europe's energy security. The regulation established binding gas storage targets: underground storage facilities located on the territory of each Member State had to be filled to at least 80% of their capacity by 1 November 2022, and to 90% by 1 November 2023 and in each subsequent year.

Since the 90% filling target was established, the EU has consistently exceeded it before the beginning of each heating season. With these provisions set to expire at the end of 2025, the extension ensures that the EU will maintain a high level of security of supply while taking into account global gas market challenges.

Gas storage facilities account for around 30% of the EU's gas consumption during the winter months. Well-stocked underground reserves also play an important role in ensuring a stable gas supply during periods of high demand or unforeseen supply disruptions.

On 5 March 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposal to prolong the regulation by two more years to ensure continued security of energy supply across the EU and stability of the European gas market. Following their respective negotiating mandates adopted on 11 April and 8 May 2025, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the amended regulation on 24 June 2025.