The Podzol Reference Soil Group is the third most widespread in the Europe. While vast areas of Podzols are found in the Scandinavian countries, this Reference Soil Group is present in twenty-two Member States of the EU and is only absent in Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Malta and Cyprus.

Most Podzols develop in humid, well drained areas, particularly, in the Boreal and Temperate Zones, on unconsolidated weathering materials of siliceous rock, prominent on glacial till, and alluvial and aeolian deposits of quartzitic sands. In the boreal zone Podzols occur on almost any rock. Podzols are associated with soils that have evidence of displacement of organic-iron/aluminium complexes but not strong enough to qualify as Podzols.

Main feature of podzol formation is the migration of aluminium, iron and organic compounds from the surface soil down to deeper layers with percolating rainwater. The humus complexes deposit in an accumulation (spodic) horizon while the overlying soil is left behind as a strongly bleached.

Due to the limiting climatic conditions Zonal Podzols generally have low suitability for agricultural production. Azonal podzols can be utilized for agricultural use after amelioration (e.g deep ploughing, liming).