Phasing out Russian natural gas imports and improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies

The European Parliament adopted by 500 votes to 120, with 32 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on phasing out Russian natural gas imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938.

The position adopted by the European Parliament at first reading amends the proposal as follows:

Phased ban on natural gas imports from Russia

Russian liquefied natural gas purchased on the spot market will be banned in the EU as soon as the regulation enters into force in early 2026, while pipeline gas imports will be phased out by 30 September 2027. The amended text provides for a transition period for existing contracts concluded before 17 June 2025.

Where the Commission identifies a risk that the filling target for 2027 for underground storage of a Member State pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 might not be reached, taking into account the circumstances for the risk of missing the target, it shall confirm this risk by way of an implementing decision. The ban on existing contracts will only apply from 1 November 2027 for the Member State in question.

Authorisation and submission of relevant information

When a derogation is requested for imports of natural gas originating or exported, directly or indirectly, from Russia, the imports will be subject to prior authorisation.

When a derogation is requested and the gas price has changed on or after 17 June 2025, information regarding the price change must be provided. This information must be submitted to the authorising authority no later than one month before entry into the customs territory. The same deadline applies to mixtures containing natural gas originating in or exported, directly or indirectly, from Russia. For non-Russian gas, proof establishing the country of origin of the natural gas must be provided at least five days before entry.

No prior authorisation will be required where gas is imported from a country which produces gas and has exported more than 5 billion cm of natural gas to the Union in 2024 and has either prohibited the import of Russian gas or is applying other restrictive measures concerning Russian gas, or has no gas infrastructure in place which allows to import LNG or pipeline gas. No later than 5 working days after entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission will by means of an implementing decision, draw up the list of such countries. The Commission will monitor whether the criteria for an exemption from prior authorisation remain fulfilled and will update the list accordingly and may revoke the exemption if a circumvention is detected.

Natural gas to be imported into the Union through borders or interconnectors or interconnection points between the Union and the Russian Federation or Belarus, or via pipelines which connect Russia with the Union and are running through third countries without having entry points between Russia and the Union will be presumed to be exported, directly or indirectly, from Russia. Natural gas to be imported into the Union via Strandzha 1 will be presumed to be exported, directly or indirectly, from Russia, unless unambiguous evidence can be provided to the authorising authorities, no later than 7 working days before the entry into the customs territory, establishing that the country of production of the natural gas is not Russia.

Effective monitoring

Customs authorities, and, where relevant, competent authorities and regulatory authorities, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), will ensure effective monitoring of the regulation and cooperate closely with other relevant national authorities, authorities from other Member States, Union authorities and the Commission. They will have to verify the evidence submitted to establish the country of production by requiring further information, which may include but not be limited to upstream delivery documentation, such as publicly available satellite tracking of LNG cargoes or tracking information from the European Maritime Safety Agency.

Priority will be given to checks at interconnection points, LNG facilities, or transit pipelines where there is a high risk of circumvention.

Authorisation authorities must cooperate and exchange information received on natural gas imports with regulatory authorities, competent authorities and, where appropriate, customs authorities, as well as with OLAF, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, ACER and the Commission, in order to ensure compliance with the regulation and prevent circumvention.

Penalties

Member States must provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for failure to comply with this regulation. The maximum penalty for legal persons will be at least: (i) 3.5% of the undertaking’s total worldwide annual turnover for the preceding financial year, or (ii) EUR 40 million, or (iii) 300% of the estimated transaction turnover, which shall be calculated on the basis of the volume of the natural gas involved and the “day-ahead” contract prices on the TTF market. With regard to natural persons, the maximum penalty shall not be lower than EUR 2.5 million.

National diversification plans

Each Member State will establish a diversification plan describing measures, milestones and potential barriers to diversifying their gas supplies, in order to discontinue all imports of natural gas from Russia within the deadline set by the regulation.

In the case of sudden and significant developments, seriously threatening the security of energy supply of one or more Member States, and after an emergency in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 has been declared, the Commission may temporarily suspend the application of this Regulation in one or more Member States. In such a situation, the Commission may also suspend the requirement of prior authorisation.