REPowerEU Gas Prior Authorisation Implementation

Regulation 2026/261 on phasing out Russian natural gas imports establishes a common EU framework to keep Russian gas out of the EU market while safeguarding non-Russian supply. Eurogas welcomes the Commission’s guidance and its flexibilities, which help avoid unnecessary barriers to non-Russian imports and cross-border trade. These include accelerated and simplified authorisation procedures and mutual recognition, among others.

However, implementation remains fragmented across Member States, with differing requirements and timelines. Industry reports that some authorisations take several weeks and that additional national criteria create uncertainty and administrative burdens. With winter approaching, these delays add pressure to an already time-sensitive market, limiting its ability to respond to shifts in supply and demand.

Eurogas therefore calls for a simplified and harmonised implementation of the prior authorisation framework.

The Commission should:

• Provide greater clarity where implementation remains uncertain, in particular on which LNG-exporting countries qualify for the simplified procedure, and on how the rules apply to gas stored in Ukraine and gas traded on EU organised trading markets.
• Consider further simplification, such as repeated authorisations for LNG deliveries under previously assessed long-term supply contracts.

Member States should:

• Implement the flexibilities already provided in the Commission guidance.
• Apply the 12–24 hour accelerated authorisation timeframe.
• Avoid imposing additional administrative requirements.

These steps are essential to ensure that the phase-out of Russian gas does not obstruct legitimate gas flows, while preserving security of supply, and market flexibility.

Read the full paper below.