Electric scooter laws in Europe 2022

Just past week Estonia decided to enforce its regulations and remove the overpowered scooters that break their current regulations from the streets. As a European Union country, you might expect that all the laws and regulations are the same in member countries, but that’s not the case; individual countries have their own set of regulations and laws.

Sometimes EU laws will also collide with the local laws leaving some vehicles in a weird area where one of governing entities EU vs Local end up banning the vehicle. Case in point the local Estonian law would treat the overpowered electric scooters as motor vehicles that need registration and license to operate which sounds simple, just get those and you are good. 

The thing is that the EU law governing motor vehicles requires the vehicle to have at least a seat to identify the vehicle as a motor vehicle. This law actually describes motorbikes but for electric scooters without a seat, it means that the EU doesn’t see is as motor vehicles so they can’t be registered and thus in the local law you can’t get a license for it since it’s not a motor vehicle by EU

Know the local regulations for electric scooters in the European Union countries.

When building your escooter fleet or ordering wholesale scooters for your local market you should know the local laws and regulations so your customers can enjoy their new rides freely. Let’s take a look at some of the countries we know of the situation.

European electric scooter laws by country

Disclaimer: The laws and regulations are in constant change and these regulations are collected from public sources. Langfeite takes no responsibility for the correctness of these rules. Please check your local authorities for the current laws and future developments.

Austria

• Recognizes Electric Scooters
• No license needed
• 12yo need to be supervised by at least 16yo person
• Max speed 25km/h and 600W

Belgium

• Electric Scooters are moving devices
• No age limit
• No license, registration or insurance needed
• 5 km/h+ speed must use bike lane instead of walkways

Denmark

• Recognizes Electric Scooters
• Age limit 15yo
• No license needed
• Registration needed
• Max speed 20km/h
• Public roads and bike lanes

Finland

• Electric Scooters 1000W 20km/h are lightweight electric vehicles (LEV)
• Electric Scooters <15km/h are pedestrian-assisted device
• No license or registration needed
• No driving on pavement

France

• Electric Scooters are personal motorized travel devices
• No license needed
• Insurance required
• Age limit 12yo
• No driving on pavement

Germany

• Electric Scooters are lightweight electric micro mobiles meant for personal use
• Insurance required
• No registration needed
• Age limit 14yo
• Max speed 20km/h
• No driving on walkways

Hungary

• Complicated – laws in making but 5/2022 situation/proposal:
• Electric Scooters are micromobility devices
• Max speed 25km/h
• Max power 350W
• Maybe need a license?
• Only some areas are allowed/regulated

Italy

• Max power 500W
• Top speeds. Pedestrian area 6km/h, cycle lanes 20km/h and 30km/h public roads with
• On public roads need to use highly visible clothing and reflectors

Lithuania

• Electric Scooters are motorized bicycles (kinda)
• Max power 1000W
• Max speed 25km/h
• Pedestrian area top speed 3-7 km/h (walking speed)
• No license or insurance needed
• Under 18yo must wear a helmet.

Luxembourg

• Electric Scooters are bicycles (kinda)
• Max power 500W
• Max speed 25km/h
• Age limit 13yo+
• Public roads only
• No license, registration or insurance needed

Malta

• Age limit 16yo
• License required
• Insurance required
• Max speed 20km/h on roads
• Max speed 10km/h on pavements, bike lanes, footpaths etc.
• Use highly visible clothing and reflectors

Netherlands

• Max speed 25km/h
• Age limit 16yo
• Compulsory insurance
• Bike paths only

Poland

• Not allowed

Portugal

• Treated as bikes
• Mandatory helmet
• Same speed limits as bikes
• No pedestrian crossings

Romania

• Laws still under development (drafted in 2019)

Slovakia

• Electric Scooters are non-motorized vehicles
• Treated as bikes
• Public roads
• Age limit 15yo

Slovenia

• Electric Scooters are special vehicles
• Max speed 5km/h
• Pedestrian crossings, pavements, bicycle paths and underground areas.

Spain

• Electric Scooters are similar but not electric bikes or bicycles
• No age limit officially but some districts have 16+. 
• Under 16yo must wear a helmet
• No license needed

Sweden

• Max power 250W
• Max speed 20km/h
• Can ride anywhere at a walking speed
• No license needed

United Kingdom

• New laws underway – read more here: The UK making moves to legalize private e-scooters.

Langfeite electric scooter manufacturing and wholesale

There you go, as you can see many countries differ on almost all main aspects of the laws what are escooters classified as? Age limits? Insurance, registration and license? Top speeds and max powers.

All in all the markets are still maturing and all these laws are subject to change. Whatever the case Langfeite can meet the requirements of each country. In addition, the C-line of scooters can be modified to comply with the requirements (different motors, speed limiters, etc.) or we can make a whole new design for you.

In any case, be it any European country contact Langfeite for your electric scooter supplier, wholesale, and manufacturing needs.