The rapid growth of e-scooter use is prompting a new wave of legislation across Europe, with countries introducing stricter rules to improve safety and address public concerns.
While the European Union recognises the importance of road safety regulations for vehicles, including electrically powered scooters, these matters fall under the broader scope of transport policy, which is a shared competence between the EU and its Member States. In these areas, European legislation, so far, has only partially exercised Union competences for personal mobility devices, mainly around product safety and, for some categories, insurance. Within this partial framework, Member States have discretion to adopt rules on traffic, road safety and urban mobility, such as speed limits for scooters and restrictions on their use in certain areas.
Several countries have introduced or announced significant changes since the beginning of the year. In Cyprus, legislation adopted in May 2026 updated the country's framework for personal mobility devices, setting a minimum age of 17 for e-scooter users. The new rules also define where e-scooters may be used, establish technical and equipment requirements, strengthen enforcement powers, regulate rental operators and allow local authorities to introduce additional measures.
Greece is preparing a similarly comprehensive overhaul. The government has announced plans to ban e-scooter use by minors entirely. Under the proposed legislation, all e-scooters would need speed limiters, mandatory insurance and special identification markings, while access to high-speed roads would be prohibited. Municipalities would also gain the authority to limit the number of shared e-scooters operating within their jurisdictions.
Belgium has focused its efforts on rider safety. From September 2026, helmets are mandatory for users of e-scooters capable of travelling faster than 20 km/h. Shared e-scooters are exempt because operators have voluntarily limited their fleets to that speed. The move follows growing concerns about injury rates. Hospital studies have found that head injuries account for a large share of serious e-scooter crashes, while helmet use among injured riders remains extremely low. The new rule comes against a backdrop of worsening safety figures: 13 e-scooter fatalities were recorded in Belgium in 2025, more than three times the number reported in 2024. Meanwhile, the Brussels regional government has announced that shared e-scooters will be banned from 2027, following the example of cities such as Paris, Madrid, Florence and Prague.
Austria also introduced stricter requirements in May. E-scooters must now be fitted with functioning brakes, handlebar-mounted turn signals, a bell or horn, and front and rear lights for use in low-visibility conditions. Helmet use will be mandatory for riders up to the age of 16, carrying heavy of or bulky items on the vehicle’s handlebars will be prohibited, and the blood alcohol limit for e-scooter users will be reduced from 0.8 to 0.5. While e-scooters will continue to be permitted on cycling infrastructure, authorities are expected to step up enforcement in pedestrian-heavy areas.
Spain is set to introduce new nationwide rules in October 2026. The legislation will establish a minimum riding age of 15 and make helmet use compulsory across the country. Riders will also be required to use lights in poor visibility or at night and wear reflective clothing or accessories. Non-compliance may result in fines of up to €200. Since earlier this year, all owners of electric scooters are also required to have third-party liability insurance before they can legally ride on Spanish roads.
Starting from September 2026, it is obligated in Ireland to wear a helmet and high-visibility clothing in Ireland while driving an e-scooter. The minimum age will also increase from 16 to 18 years old later this year.
In Germany, they modified the liability of shared e-scooters, until now, it was hard for victims of crashes to prove that the e-scooter driver was in fault. In crashes caused by e-scooters improperly parked in public spaces such as pavements, it was even more difficult to find the person at fault. Under the new law, the rental companies themselves can be held responsible, and victims can gain compensation directly from the firms.
Together, these measures reflect a broader European trend toward stricter regulation of e-scooters. While the specific approaches differ from country to country, policymakers are increasingly prioritising safety, accountability and the orderly integration of micromobility into urban transport systems.
Sources:
Benelux Union. (2026). Position paper of the Benelux union on an EU internal market for personal mobility devices (PMDs). Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://www.benelux.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Benelux-Position-Paper-on-PMDs.pdf
Cole, D. (2026, July 9). Germany set to make rental e-scooter operators liable for accidents. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/09/germany-set-to-make-rental-e-scooter-operators-liable-for-accidents
Department of Transport. (2026, September 2). Ministers O’Brien and Canney introduce first in new suite of road safety regulations addressing e-scooter use. gov.ie. https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/ministers-obrien-and-canney-introduce-first-in-new-suite-of-road-safety-regulations-addressing-e-scooter-use/
Greece and Cyprus tighten national rules on e-scooters. (2026, May 29). ETSC. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://etsc.eu/greece-and-cyprus-tighten-national-rules-on-e-scooters/
Leva, E. (2026a, May 11). Austria introduces new StVO rules for e-scooters, e-bikes and electric mopeds. LEVA-EU. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://leva-eu.com/austria-introduces-new-stvo-rules-for-e-scooters-e-bikes-and-electric-mopeds/
Leva, E. (2026b, June 29). Spain tightens rules for e-scooters further. LEVA-EU. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://leva-eu.com/spain-tightens-rules-for-e-scooters-further/
National governments and industry step into EU regulatory vacuum on e-scooters. (2026, April 30). ETSC. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://etsc.eu/national-governments-and-industry-step-into-eu-regulatory-vacuum-on-e-scooters/
