Energy Communities (ECs) are central to the European Union’s (EU) green transition, and their long-term viability depends on robust Business Models (BMs) that align with the EU regulatory frameworks, technological advancements and Member States’ (MSs) social values. This thesis navigates the literature to explore the typologies of EC BMs implemented in the EU over the past decade, focusing on four indicative types; energy cooperatives or collective generation and trading BM, collective self-consumption or collective prosumerism BM, community-owned grid BM (the specific case of an energy island), and community service provision BM (the specific case of e-mobility services). The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is used to identify how ECs function, create value, and maintain their operations, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of ECs and the various factors influencing their long-term viability. Through qualitative analysis and case studies, this thesis identifies critical success factors such as community engagement, financial accessibility, technological integration, and supportive legal and regulatory environments. These findings aim to provide a foundation for future BM structures that can support the long-term viability of ECs and the achievement of the EU energy transition targets. One limitation of this thesis is that the findings from its case studies may have restricted applicability due to the considerable differences in legal, economic, and cultural contexts among EU MSs. For a more in-depth analysis, future research should pair the qualitative insights with comparative quantitative analysis during the scaling and replication phases of ECs.