E-scooter fines in Spain: unregistered, uninsured or without a helmet (2026)

How much are e-scooter fines in Spain in 2026?

These are the scooter fines and the rule each one comes from; where there is no official figure, we say so. The helmet fine applies from 1 October 2026.

The Traffic Act is Royal Legislative Decree 6/2015, and the BOE is Spain's Official State Gazette. All the rules are linked at the end, under official sources.

The insurance fines are those set by national law; some city bylaws set others, for example up to €600 for riding without insurance in Badalona or Palma.

What happens if you ride an unregistered scooter?

Registration has been compulsory since 30 January 2026, but Royal Decree 52/2026 does not set a specific fine for not doing it. At least one city bylaw does: in Badalona, failing to register the scooter is a serious offence, with a fine of up to €300 (art. 54.3.c). The problem is what comes with it: without registration and a label you can't insure the scooter, and riding without insurance does carry a fine (€250 to €800), as well as the scooter possibly being immobilised or taken to the pound.

And there are checks: in Valencia, according to the local press, the local police have been checking for unregistered scooters since June 2026 (in Spanish).

The same goes for the label: you must carry it, and there is no official figure for the fine for not carrying it, but without it the scooter cannot be ridden legally. You can order the identification plate (placa identificativa: the identification label the DGT requires, which many people call the scooter's number plate or sticker) from us for €15 + €4.95 shipping or from another authorised number-plate processor.

What changes from 1 October 2026?

With Royal Decree 518/2026, helmets become compulsory (approved or certified, and fastened): riding without one is a serious offence with a €200 fine. In addition, the minimum age is 15, at night you must carry a light or reflective item visible from 150 m, lights must always be on (in daytime, this will be required from 1 October 2027) and you can never ride on the pavement.

In Barcelona, helmets were already compulsory under a local bylaw from 1 February 2025, with a €100 fine. All the changes in the new scooter rules from 1 October.

What if the scooter has been tampered with?

If it goes faster than 25 km/h, it is no longer a VMP (personal mobility vehicle): it cannot be registered as a moped, because without a seat it can't be type-approved, and it cannot be ridden. And if there is an accident, the insurer pays the victim, but it can claim back what it paid from the rider who tampered with the scooter (Law 5/2025, first additional provision).

What happens if you have an accident without insurance?

You are liable for the damage you cause. When there is no insurance, the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (Spain's public insurance compensation body) only covers the victim's personal injuries, not property damage. With insurance, the minimum cover is €6,450,000 for personal injury and €1,300,000 for property damage (Law 5/2025). We explain it in compulsory scooter insurance.

Can I appeal against a scooter fine?

Yes. From the day you are notified of the fine, you have 20 calendar days to choose one of these two routes (Traffic Act, arts. 93-95):

• Pay with a 50% discount (early payment). Paying closes the procedure, so you can no longer submit objections.
• Submit objections (alegaciones) and evidence, if you think the fine is wrong. For example, the registration certificate or the policy, if the scooter was registered and insured.

Check the dates too: minor offences become time-barred after 3 months, and serious and very serious ones after 6 months, counted from the day of the offence. And the procedure expires after one year (Traffic Act, art. 112).

How can you avoid fines?

Before you set off, check this list:

• The scooter is registered with the DGT (keep the registration certificate on your phone).
• It carries the identification label: on certified scooters, in the rear label holder (porta-identificador); on non-certified ones, somewhere visible.
• Your third-party liability insurance is in force.
• You wear a fastened helmet (compulsory from 1 October 2026) and, at night, a light or reflective item.
• No phone or headphones, and no alcohol or drugs.
• Never on the pavement, and on a scooter that doesn't go faster than 25 km/h.

Frequently asked questions about fines

What is the fine for riding an unregistered scooter?

Royal Decree 52/2026 does not in itself set a fine for not registering a scooter, although Badalona's bylaw does (up to €300). Either way, without registration and a label, the scooter cannot be ridden legally or insured, and the DGT fines riding without insurance at €250 to €800 (€202 to €610 for not having a policy in place). The scooter can also be immobilised.

Can I be fined for not having insurance even if I'm not riding?

Yes. Not having the insurance in place is fined at €202 to €610. If you are stopped riding without insurance, the fine is €250 to €800 and the scooter may be immobilised or taken to the pound.

What is the fine for two people on one scooter?

Carrying a passenger is banned, because a scooter is a single-seat vehicle. There is no official national figure; in Barcelona the fine is €100.

How long do I have to pay with a discount?

You have 20 calendar days from notification. If you pay within that period, you get a 50% discount and the procedure ends; within the same period you can instead submit objections and evidence.

When does a scooter fine become time-barred?

Minor offences become time-barred after 3 months, and serious and very serious ones after 6 months, counted from the day of the offence. The procedure expires after one year.