Brussels, 26 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against EU Member States that failed to fully transpose new electricity, hydrogen and gas market rules into national law. The EU infringement action, announced on 25 September, gives the governments concerned two months to respond and complete the required legal changes.
EU action covers electricity market reforms
The Commission sent letters of formal notice to 18 countries — Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden — over incomplete implementation of parts of Directive (EU) 2024/1711.
Member States were required by 17 July 2026 to notify implementation of provisions covering consumers’ freedom to choose electricity suppliers and their right to energy sharing.
The Commission said the rules are designed to “strengthen consumers’ position in the electricity market” by expanding opportunities to choose and switch suppliers, access competitive offers and participate more actively in the energy system.
Hydrogen rules trigger action against 26 countries
The Commission has separately opened proceedings against 26 of the EU’s 27 Member States for failing to notify full transposition of the recast Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Directive (EU) 2024/1788).
Italy was the only Member State to have notified full transposition by the 5 August 2026 legal deadline.
The directive updates EU natural gas market rules and creates a regulatory framework for dedicated hydrogen infrastructure. It is intended to facilitate renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, while supporting energy security and affordability.
The Commission said the rules aim to ensure “security of supply and affordability of energy for all EU citizens.”
Commission gives governments two months
Letters of formal notice are the first formal stage of EU infringement proceedings. They do not mean the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that a country breached EU law.
The Commission said the Member States concerned had failed to fully transpose the directives and urged them to take “immediate action to bring their laws in line with EU requirements.”
Governments now have two months to respond, complete implementation and notify Brussels of the measures they have adopted.
Energy reforms affect consumers and investment
The electricity reforms directly concern households and businesses because they are intended to make it easier for consumers to choose suppliers, switch providers and participate in energy-sharing arrangements.
The hydrogen legislation has broader implications for Europe’s energy infrastructure and efforts to develop markets for renewable and low-carbon gases. The Commission says the framework establishes rules for dedicated hydrogen infrastructure while updating the existing natural gas market regime.
The enforcement action also comes as the EU prepares for winter. On 25 September, the Commission said EU gas supply remained stable despite storage levels being lower than historical levels.
What happens next?
The EU infringement action now enters its two-month response period. Countries can address the proceedings by completing their national legislation and notifying the Commission.
If Brussels considers a country’s response inadequate, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion, moving the case to the next stage of the infringement process. Continued non-compliance can eventually lead to proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
