The European Union imports approximately 90% of the natural gas it consumes.

Omissions

• The exact latest Eurostat figure is 87.6% for 2025, slightly below the stated 90%; the 'approximately' qualifier makes the claim acceptable but the precise number is lower.
• Eurostat measures this as an 'import dependency rate' (net imports as a share of gross inland consumption), which is the standard proxy for 'share of consumption covered by imports' and can differ marginally from a gross-imports/consumption ratio.
• The figure has varied notably year to year: EU natural gas import dependency peaked close to 97% in 2022 after the demand collapse and has since declined as consumption and domestic production patterns changed, so the '90%' framing describes a recent snapshot rather than a stable structural constant.
• The Eurostat Statistics Explained page consulted reflects the most recent annual data (2025), which is the appropriate reference period given the claim was made in October 2026.

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat — Natural gas supply statistics (Statistics Explained)"In 2025, inland demand of natural gas in the EU increased by 2.5% compared with 2024. In 2025, the EU's natural gas import dependency rate was 87.6%."
• SecondaryStrategic Perspectives — EU Gas Insight"The European Union (EU) is highly dependent on gas imports, with 89% of its supply in 2025 coming from outside the EU. The EU imports pipeline gas primarily..."