Regulation (EU) 2026/261 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 January 2026 on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and preparing the phase-out of Russian oil imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938

Type Regulation

Publication 2026-02-02

State In force

Text As published

Department Council of the European Union, European Parliament

Source EUR-Lex

articles 16

This is the act as published. Later amendments are not folded into the text below: each one is a separate act in this repository and an entry in this law's history.

Reform history JSON API

Where the legal system of a Member State does not provide competent authorities with the competence to independently impose administrative fines, this Article may be applied in such a manner that the fining procedure is initiated by the competent authority and the fine is imposed by the competent national court, while ensuring that those legal remedies are effective and have an effect equivalent to the administrative fines imposed by supervisory authorities. In any event, the fines imposed shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

Member States shall, by 4 February 2028, notify the Commission of the national provisions in force ensuring the implementation of this Article, and shall notify it, without delay, of any subsequent amendment affecting them.

CHAPTER IV NATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION PLANS

Article 9

National diversification plans for natural gas

Each Member State shall establish a plan describing measures for, milestones in and potential barriers to diversifying their gas supplies (a ‘national diversification plan for natural gas’), in order to discontinue all imports of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, within the deadlines pursuant to Articles 3 and 4.

National diversification plans for natural gas shall include all of the following elements:

(a) available information on the volume of imports of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation under existing supply contracts;

(b) a clear description of supporting measures in place and supporting measures planned at national level to replace natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, including the quantities expected to be phased out, milestones and a timeline for implementation and, where available, envisaged options for alternative supplies and supply routes. Such measures may include the use of the Aggregate EU Platform established pursuant to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1789, support measures for diversification efforts of energy companies, cooperation in regional groups such as the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity High-Level Group, the identification of alternatives to natural gas imports via electrification, energy sufficiency, energy efficiency measures, boosting the production of biogas, biomethane and clean hydrogen, renewable energy deployment, voluntary demand reduction measures or possibilities of other Member States to facilitate diversification of supply;

(c) the identification of any potential technical, contractual or regulatory barriers to replacing natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, and options to overcome those barriers.

By 1 March 2026, Member States shall submit to the Commission their national diversification plans for natural gas, using the template set out in Annex I.

The Commission shall, where appropriate, facilitate the preparation and implementation of the national diversification plans for natural gas, including by providing best practices and technical assistance. During the transition period for existing supply contracts under Article 4 of this Regulation, the Commission shall coordinate with Member States in their diversification efforts to identify alternative supply sources. New supplies could also compensate for lost revenues by using existing infrastructure previously utilised for natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation in transit. Member States shall report regularly to the Gas Coordination Group on the progress achieved on the preparation, adoption and implementation of their national diversification plans for natural gas. On the basis of the national diversification plans for natural gas, the Commission shall assess the implementation of the phase-out of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation and report its assessment to the Gas Coordination Group, as set out in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938.

Article 10

National diversification plans for oil (crude oil and petroleum products)

A Member State that receives imports of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, shall establish a plan describing measures for, milestones in and potential barriers to diversifying their oil supplies, (a ‘national diversification plan for oil’), in order to discontinue, all imports of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation by the end of 2027.

National diversification plans for oil shall include all of the following elements:

(a) available information on the volume of imports of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation under existing supply contracts;

(b) measures planned at national level to replace oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, including the quantities expected to be phased out, milestones and a timeline for implementation, and options for alternative supplies, supply routes and energy sources, as well as possibilities of other Member States to facilitate diversification of supply;

(c) measures in place and planned at national level to ensure transparency and traceability of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly from the Russian Federation, to the extent possible, including measures on the verification of possible relabelled imports;

(d) possible prohibitions at national level on imports of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation.

(e) potential technical, contractual or regulatory barriers to replacing oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, and options to overcome those barriers.

By 1 March 2026, Member States shall submit to the Commission their national diversification plans for oil, using the template set out in Annex II. The Commission shall publish a non-confidential version of the plans received from Member States no later than one month after the submission of the plans.

The Commission shall, where appropriate, facilitate the preparation and implementation of the national diversification plans for oil, including by providing best practices and technical assistance. The Commission shall assist in the cooperation between Member States when they implement their national diversification plans for oil. The Commission shall assess the impact of a possible accelerated termination of oil imports on the Member States most affected by a full phase-out of Russian oil supplies. It shall work actively with the directly affected and other relevant Member States on solutions to minimise possible risks identified in the assessment. Member States shall report regularly to the Oil Coordination Group established by Article 17 of Council Directive 2009/119/EC [^ntr14-L_202600261EN.000101-E0014] on the progress achieved on the preparation, adoption and implementation of their national diversification plans for oil.

Where a national diversification plan for oil identifies a risk that the phase-out of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, by the end of 2027 might not be achieved, the Commission shall, after assessing the relevant national diversification plan and within 3 months of its submission, issue a recommendation to the Member State concerned on how to achieve the phase-out in a timely manner and publish that recommendation. Following that recommendation, the Member State concerned shall update its national diversification plan for oil within three months, taking into consideration the Commission’s recommendation.

CHAPTER V MONITORING THE SECURITY OF GAS SUPPLY

Article 11

Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017/1938

Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 is amended as follows:

(1) in Article 2, the following points are added:

‘(33) “take-or-pay provision” means a contractual provision which obliges the buyer to take delivery of, or alternatively pay for, a specified minimum quantity of gas within a given period, regardless of whether the gas is actually received;

(34) “deliver-or-pay provision” means a contractual provision which obliges the seller to pay a contractual fine in the case of a non-delivery of gas.’

;

(2) Article 14(6) is amended as follows:

(a) in the first subparagraph, the following point is added:

‘(c) to the Commission and to the competent authorities concerned the following information relating to gas supply contracts for gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation:

(i) the information referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2026/261 of the European Parliament and of the Council[^ntr*1-L_202600261EN.000101-E0015];

(ii) information on the quantities to be supplied and taken, including possible flexibilities under take-or-pay provisions or deliver-or-pay provisions;

(iii) delivery schedules (LNG) or nominations (pipeline gas);

(iv) possible contractual flexibilities concerning the annual contracted quantities, including make-up quantities;

(v) conditions for the suspension or termination of gas deliveries, including force majeure provisions;

(vi) information on which law governs the contract and which arbitration mechanism is chosen;

(vii) key elements of other commercial agreements that are relevant for the execution of the gas supply contract, excluding price information.

[^ntr*1-L_202600261EN.000101-E0015]: Regulation (EU) 2026/261 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 January 2026 on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and preparing the phase-out of Russian oil imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 (OJ L, 2026/261, 2.2.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/261/oj).’;"

(b) the following subparagraphs are added:

‘The information referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph shall be provided no later than 4 March 2026 and for each contract in a disaggregated format, including the relevant text parts in full, excluding price information, in particular where the full knowledge of the formulation of the contractual provisions is crucial for the assessment of the security of gas supply or where certain contractual provisions are interrelated.

Providers of LNG terminal services shall provide the Commission with information concerning services booked by customers from the Russian Federation or by customers controlled by undertakings from the Russian Federation, including contracted services, affected quantities and contract duration.’

;

(3) in Article 17, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘The Commission shall continuously monitor the exposure of the Union’s energy system to supplies, also via third countries, of gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation in particular on the basis of information notified to the Commission and the competent authorities in accordance with Article 14(6), point (c).

The Commission shall assess the implementation of the phase-out of gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation under Regulation (EU) 2026/261 at national, regional and Union level on the basis of the national diversification plans for gas referred to in Article 9 of that Regulation and report its assessment to the Gas Coordination Group.

On the basis of the assessment referred to in the third paragraph, the Commission shall publish an annual report, which shall provide a comprehensive overview of the progress achieved by Member States in implementing their national diversification plans for gas.

Where relevant, the Commission may issue, within three months of submission of a national diversification plan for gas, a recommendation which identifies possible actions and measures to ensure a secure diversification of gas supply and a timely phase-out of gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation.

Following that recommendation, the Member State concerned shall update its national diversification plan for gas within three months, taking into consideration the Commission’s recommendation.’.

CHAPTER VI FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 12

Professional secrecy

Any confidential information received, exchanged, or transmitted in accordance with this Regulation shall be subject to the requirements of professional secrecy laid down in this Article.

The obligation of professional secrecy shall apply to all persons who work or who have worked for authorities involved in the implementation of this Regulation and to any natural or legal person to whom the relevant authorities have delegated their powers, including auditors and experts contracted by those authorities.

Information covered by professional secrecy shall not be disclosed, except by virtue of provisions laid down by Union or national law.

All information exchanged between the relevant authorities or Member States in accordance with this Regulation that concerns business conditions or operational conditions or other economic or personal affairs shall be considered confidential and shall be subject to the requirements of professional secrecy, except where the relevant authority states at the time of the communication that such information may be disclosed, where the disclosure is required by virtue of provisions laid down under Union or national law or where such disclosure is necessary for legal proceedings.

Article 13

Monitoring

The Commission shall continuously monitor the development of the Union’s energy market, in particular in respect of potential gas supply dependencies or other risks to the security of energy supply related to energy imports from the Russian Federation. By 4 February 2028, the Commission shall submit a report on the implementation of this Regulation to the European Parliament and the Council.

That report shall include an assessment of the effectiveness of the prior authorisation procedure provided for in Article 5. It shall also include information on possible security of supply issues related to natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation in Union storages. In addition, the report shall include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the exchange of information and cooperation among the relevant authorities in accordance with Article 6 and Article 7(2) and (5), and, where appropriate, shall set out recommendations for the improvement of such exchange of information and cooperation.

In the case of sudden and significant developments which seriously threaten the security of energy supply of one or more Member States, and after an emergency in accordance with Article 11 or 12 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 has been declared, the Commission may, by means of a decision, temporarily suspend the application of Chapter II of this Regulation in one or more Member States, in whole or in part. In such a case, the Commission may also suspend the requirement of prior authorisation pursuant to Article 5(2) of this Regulation. The Commission’s decision shall contain certain conditions, in particular to ensure that any suspension is strictly limited to addressing the threat. The suspension shall be limited to a duration which is strictly necessary to bridge the time until there are sufficient supplies from countries other than the Russian Federation to meet Union demand. It shall not be granted for more than 4 weeks at a time and shall only be renewed if the conditions for the emergency pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 continue to apply. Only short-term supply contracts shall be allowed under a temporary suspension pursuant to this paragraph. The Commission shall inform the Member States and the Gas Coordination Group of any such suspension, and shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council justifying the suspension and any extension thereof. The Commission shall present the report to the European Parliament if invited to do so.

Article 14

Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 3 shall apply from 18 March 2026, except where otherwise specified in Article 4.

Article 5 shall apply from 18 February 2026.

This Regulation is without prejudice to the application of the prohibition related to LNG established in Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 which shall apply and be complied with regardless of the provisions of this Regulation.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 26 January 2026.

For the European Parliament

The President

R. METSOLA

For the Council

The President

M. RAOUNA

[^ntr1-L_202600261EN.000101-E0001]: Opinion of 18 September 2025 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

[^ntr2-L_202600261EN.000101-E0002]: Position of the European Parliament of 17 December 2025 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 26 January 2026.

[^ntr3-L_202600261EN.000101-E0003]: Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2017 concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply and repealing Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 (OJ L 280, 28.10.2017, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/1938/oj).

[^ntr4-L_202600261EN.000101-E0004]: Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/952/oj).

[^ntr5-L_202600261EN.000101-E0005]: Council Regulation No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/833/oj).

[^ntr6-L_202600261EN.000101-E0006]: Regulation (EU) 2021/1149 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Internal Security Fund (OJ L 251, 15.7.2021, p. 94, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1149/oj).

[^ntr7-L_202600261EN.000101-E0007]: Regulation (EU) No 1219/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2012 establishing transitional arrangements for bilateral investment agreements between Member States and third countries (OJ L 351, 20.12.2012, p. 40, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/1219/oj).

[^ntr8-L_202600261EN.000101-E0008]: Regulation (EU) No 912/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for managing financial responsibility linked to investor-to-state dispute settlement tribunals established by international agreements to which the European Union is party (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 121, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/912/oj).

[^ntr9-L_202600261EN.000101-E0009]: Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/952/oj).

[^ntr10-L_202600261EN.000101-E0010]: Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/34/oj).

[^ntr11-L_202600261EN.000101-E0011]: Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, amending Directive (EU) 2023/1791 and repealing Directive 2009/73/EC (OJ L, 2024/1788, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj).

[^ntr12-L_202600261EN.000101-E0012]: Regulation (EU) 2024/1789 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, amending Regulations (EU) No 1227/2011, (EU) 2017/1938, (EU) 2019/942 and (EU) 2022/869 and Decision (EU) 2017/684 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 (OJ L, 2024/1789, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1789/oj).

[^ntr13-L_202600261EN.000101-E0013]: Council Regulation (EC) No 515/97 of 13 March 1997 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters (OJ L 82, 22.3.1997, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1997/515/oj).

[^ntr14-L_202600261EN.000101-E0014]: Council Directive 2009/119/EC of 14 September 2009 imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products (OJ L 265, 9.10.2009, p. 9, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/119/oj).

ANNEX I

Template for national diversification plans for natural gas

This template is designed for national authorities drafting a national diversification plan as provided for in Article 9. It shall include the following:

General information


Name of the authority responsible for the preparation of the plan
Description of the gas system. It should include a description of: (i) the gas demand; (ii) the supply mix considering the dependence on Russian supply.

Main information about the import of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation to the Member State


Reference of the individual contracts as communicated by the importers to the competent authorities and the Commission
Where applicable, LNG terminal services booked by companies or affiliated undertakings from the Russian Federation
Overall contracted quantities of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation for delivery in the Member State Contractual flexibilities and point of delivery (interconnection point, import point, LNG terminal, etc.)

Description of the measures to replace natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation

The description shall include the following elements:


Diversification options: (i) alternative supplies; (ii) alternative supply routes; (iii) demand aggregation
Description of the measure and its objectives, including quantities expected to be phased out and intermediate steps in the case of a multi-stage measure
Implementation timeline
Impact of the measures on the energy system, including on flow patterns, infrastructure capacities, tariffs, etc.
Impact on neighbouring Member States

Technical, contractual or regulatory barriers to replacing natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation


Technical, contractual or regulatory barriers
Options to overcome barriers, and timeline
Category	Replacement of volumes for the phase-out[^ntr1-L_202600261EN.002201-E0001]
Information required	Description of measures in place and planned at national level to replace the remaining volumes of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation: (i) quantities expected to be phased out by each measure, (ii) implementation timeline (start-end), (iii) options for alternative supplies and supply routes
Pipeline gas
LNG

[^ntr1-L_202600261EN.002201-E0001]: Such measures may include the use of the Aggregate EU Platform pursuant to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1789, support measures for diversification efforts of energy companies, cooperation in regional groups such as the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group, identifying alternatives to natural gas imports via electrification, energy efficiency measures, boosting the production of biogas, biomethane and clean hydrogen, renewable energy deployment or voluntary demand reduction measures.

ANNEX II

Template for national diversification plans for oil

This template is designed for national authorities drafting a detailed national diversification plan as provided for in Article 10. It shall include the following:

General information


Name of the authority responsible for the preparation of the plan
Description of the oil system. It should include a description of: (i) the oil demand; (ii) the supply mix considering the dependence on Russian supply.

Main information about the import of oil (crude oil and petroleum products) that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation to the Member State


Overall contracted quantities of oil that originates in or is exported from, directly or indirectly, the Russian Federation for delivery in the Member State Expiry date of contractual obligations
Information about the identity of the different stakeholders (seller, importer, and buyer)

Description of the measures to replace oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation

The description shall include the following elements:


Diversification options: (i) alternative supplies; (ii) alternative supply routes
Description of the measure and its objectives, including quantities expected to be phased out and intermediate steps in the case of a multi-stage measure Measures in place and planned at national level to ensure transparency and traceability of oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, to the extent possible, including measures on verification of possible relabelled imports
Implementation timeline
Impact of measures on the energy system, including on flow patterns, infrastructure capacities, tariffs, etc.
Impact on neighbouring Member States

Technical, contractual or regulatory barriers to replacing oil that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation


Technical, contractual or regulatory barriers
Options to overcome barrier, and timeline

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/261/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)

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