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The study evaluates pore systems in samples of tight Upper Permian Zechstein 2 Carbonate (Z2C) facies from widely dispersed locations in the eastern and western parts of the Southern Permian Basin, NW Europe. Samples of Z2C drill cores comprising platform to shallow‐basin deposits were examined by petrographic techniques, porosity measurement and SEM analysis, in order to acquire a better understanding of porosity development and pore microstructure. Four carbonate lithofacies were identified by core‐scale and thin‐section analyses: subtidal / intertidal planar stromatolites and thrombolites; slope facies (laminated dolo‐ and lime‐mudstones and grain‐dominated turbidites); toe‐of‐slope / lower slope facies (laminated lime mudstones with turbidite beds); and shallow‐basin (embayment) facies (laminated lime mudstones and hemipelagic deposits). Porosity ranges from 0.08% to 9.6% and is lowest in …