ReFuelEU — Frequently Asked Questions

ReFuelEU Aviation is an EU regulation (EU 2023/2405) that mandates the progressive blending of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into jet fuel supplied at EU airports. It applies to fuel suppliers and aircraft operators departing from EU airports, with blending targets increasing from 2% in 2025 to 70% by 2050.

ReFuelEU applies to two groups: aviation fuel suppliers at EU airports, who must ensure a minimum SAF blend in all jet fuel they supply; and aircraft operators departing from EU airports, who must uplift sufficient fuel at EU airports and report their actual SAF usage annually.

The blending mandates are: 2% from 2025, 6% from 2030, 20% from 2035, 34% from 2040, 42% from 2045, and 70% from 2050. Within these targets, a sub-mandate specifically for synthetic fuels (e-fuels/Power-to-Liquid) applies from 2030 onwards, starting at 1.2%.

SAF under ReFuelEU must meet the sustainability criteria set in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II/RED III). Qualifying feedstocks include waste oils, agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and renewable electricity (for synthetic fuels). Crop-based biofuels and fuels from highly biodiverse land are excluded.

To prevent operators from avoiding EU SAF mandates by uplifting extra fuel outside the EU, ReFuelEU requires operators to uplift at least 90% of the fuel needed for a departure at the EU departure airport. Operators cannot carry forward large fuel reserves from non-EU airports to bypass the blending obligation.

Aircraft operators must report their annual SAF uplift to their administering state by 31 March each year, covering the previous calendar year. Reports must include total fuel uplifted, SAF volumes, SAF types, sustainability certificates, and the equivalent CO₂ reduction achieved.

ReFuelEU and EU ETS are complementary. SAF used under ReFuelEU can reduce an operator's verified CO₂ emissions under EU ETS, thereby lowering the number of allowances (EUAs) they need to surrender. There is no double-counting mechanism — each tonne of CO₂ avoided through SAF reduces EU ETS liability directly.

Member states set their own penalties, but the regulation requires them to be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. Suppliers who fail to meet the blending mandate face financial penalties based on the shortfall volume. Operators who fail to report or uplift correctly are also subject to national enforcement action.