The use of the genus name Lymnaea is still controversial, some considering it to be a lump genus that should be divided in the genera Galba, Lymnaea, Pseudosuccinea, Stagnicola, etc. The present assessment follows Brown (1994) who still uses Lymnaea as the generic name.

Lymnaea stagnalis is widespread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. Although it is rare in some countries or parts of some countries, it is not considered to be threatened at the European level or at the level of the 27 member States of the European Union, and hence is assessed as Least Concern (LC) at the regional level.

This holarctic species has a widespread European distribution, occurring in all European countries.  Fauna Europaea (Bank et al. 2006) lists the species from Norway, Sweden, Denmark (mainland), Faroe Is. (Denmark), Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kalingrad region (Russia), Poland, Republic of Ireland (Eire), Great Britain (UK), Channel Islands (UK), Northern Ireland (UK), Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France (mainland), Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy (mainland), Bulgaria, Romania, Spain (mainland), Portugal (mainland), Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Reported from the former country of Yugoslavia (total list of countries unknown), Croatia, Ukraine, Greece (including Andikíthira Island, Evvia Island, Ionian Islands, Samothráki Island, Northern Sporades Islands, Thásos Island)  The species also occurs in south-west Asia (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Israel) where Lebanon marks the southern limit of the species' distribution in this region.

No detailed information on population status or trends is available at the European level, and although there are localised declines, the species is believed to be stable.

The species is found in large permanent water bodies with clean water, slow-flowing rivers, canals, drainage dykes and lakes. Occasionally found in temporary habitats or closed ponds, but not typical habitats (Kerney 1999).

There are localised threats through the region due to water pollution (nitrates and sewage pollution) and loss of water due to over-abstraction of water for irrigation and domestic supplies. In the future, increased frequency of drought and raised temperatures could impact water flow regimes throughout the Mediterranean zone.

This species is known to be used as food in Russia (Ponomareva and Petson 2005) and as food for animals in some other parts of Europe.

As this species is widespread and not in decline, it is not considered necessary to list any recommended conservation actions for this species.