Energy communities dealing with renewable sources currently play a limited role in the European energy system. However, there is an increasing acknowledgement that they will represent an essential tool to involve citizens and foster the energy transition. The recent reform of European energy law recognizes such prominence and introduces new legal concepts with related rights and duties. Member states shall transpose and implement such regulation at the national level. The significant leeway that Member states benefit from suggests that the development of energy communities will be rather heterogeneous in the coming years and differ from country to country.