New electric scooter rules in Spain from 1 October 2026

What changes on 1 October 2026?

Royal Decree 518/2026 comes into force on 1 October 2026 and changes several traffic rules that affect anyone riding an electric scooter, known in Spanish law as a VMP (vehículo de movilidad personal, or personal mobility vehicle). This table sums up what is new:

A dash (—) means that the official sources we have checked do not give a specific amount for that offence. You will find the other scooter fines, with their sources, in our article on fines.

Compulsory helmets: which ones are valid and how much is the fine?

From 1 October, a helmet is compulsory for anyone riding an electric scooter, whatever their age. It must be an approved or certified helmet and it must be fastened: hanging from the handlebars or left unfastened does not comply with the rules.

Riding without a helmet is a serious offence with a fine of €200 (Traffic Act, arts. 76 and 80). From the date you are notified, you have 20 calendar days to pay it with a 50% discount, that is €100, which closes the case, or to submit objections (alegaciones).

In Barcelona, helmets were already compulsory from 1 February 2025 under the city bylaw, with a €100 fine. From 1 October national law requires them too, throughout Spain.

What is the minimum age to ride an electric scooter?

15, throughout Spain. Some cities asked for more: Barcelona's bylaw set 16, while Seville approved a bylaw on 19 February 2026 with a minimum age of 15 and compulsory helmets. If you live in Barcelona or another city whose bylaw required 16, check the current bylaw before letting anyone under 16 use your scooter.

What do you need at night? Reflective items, vests and lights

At night, or whenever visibility is poor, you must wear at least one light or reflective item that can be seen from 150 metres. The DGT (Spain's traffic authority) presents it as a vest.

If you ride for work, for example making deliveries, you must wear a high-visibility vest at all times, including in daylight.

The scooter's lights must also be on at all times. At night and in poor visibility this is already compulsory; in daylight it will be required from 1 October 2027.

Where can you ride an electric scooter?

From 1 October, these are the rules on where you can ride:

• Pavements: never.
• Pedestrian areas: only if your town council allows it.
• Motorways and dual carriageways (autopistas and autovías), travesías (main roads running through a town), interurban roads and urban tunnels: banned.
• Cycle routes: you can ride on cycleways, bike lanes, cycle tracks, shared cycle paths and roads closed to cars and motorbikes, including outside towns.
• Turns: you must signal them with your arm.

In town, also check your local council's bylaw, as it may have its own rules for scooters.

What does not change? Registration, label and insurance

The new rules come on top of the existing ones. Registration in the DGT Vehicle Register has been compulsory since 30 January 2026 (Royal Decree 52/2026). To be ridden on the road, a scooter must be registered with the DGT, carry the identification label and have third-party liability insurance (Law 5/2025).

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

If your scooter is not certified, it can be ridden until 22 January 2027; after that it can no longer be ridden. We explain it in what to do if your scooter is not certified.

The rules on alcohol and mobile phones also still apply. On a scooter the alcohol limits are the same as for other drivers (a €500 fine, or €1,000 if you are over twice the limit or reoffend; €1,000 for drugs), and using a mobile phone or wearing headphones carries a €200 fine each.

If your scooter is already registered but you do not have the label yet, you can order the identification plate (the identification label the DGT requires, which many people call a number plate or sticker) from us for €15 + €4.95 shipping, or from another authorised plate manufacturer. If you need both, the registration + plate pack costs €45 + €4.95 shipping. Here is what the label looks like and where it goes.

2026-2027 timeline: the dates that matter

Frequently asked questions about the new scooter rules

When do helmets become compulsory on electric scooters?

From 1 October 2026, throughout Spain, under Royal Decree 518/2026. The helmet must be approved or certified and worn fastened. In Barcelona it was already compulsory from 1 February 2025 under the city bylaw.

How much is the fine for riding a scooter without a helmet?

€200, because it is a serious offence. If you pay within 20 calendar days of being notified, you get a 50% discount and it comes down to €100.

Is a reflective vest compulsory on an electric scooter?

At night or in poor visibility you must wear a light or reflective item that can be seen from 150 m, and the DGT presents it as a vest. If you ride for work, a high-visibility vest is compulsory at all times, including in daylight.

Can I ride an electric scooter on interurban roads?

No. Scooters cannot use interurban roads, motorways, dual carriageways, travesías or urban tunnels. From 1 October 2026 they can use cycleways, bike lanes, cycle tracks, shared cycle paths and roads closed to cars and motorbikes, including outside towns.

Can I ride an electric scooter on the pavement?

No, never. You can only ride in pedestrian areas if your town council allows it.

Do I need a driving licence to ride an electric scooter?

No, you do not need a driving licence to ride a scooter. You do need to be at least 15 and wear a helmet, and the scooter must be registered, carry the label and be insured.