A Detailed Guide to Spain’s New E-Scooter Regulations: Mandatory Registration and Insurance Requirements
Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (Dirección General de Tráfico, DGT) has officially launched a national registry for light personal vehicles, imposing strict conditions for the legal use of approximately four million electric scooters and similar Personal Mobility Vehicles (Vehículos de Movilidad Personal, VMP) within the country.
Three Core Requirements for Legal Road Use
According to the new regulations, all VMPs must meet three conditions to be driven on public roads: first, they must be registered with the DGT’s official registry to obtain a unique identification number; second, they must acquire a physical identification tag and affix it to the rear of the vehicle as required; finally, they must purchase mandatory civil liability insurance. Starting from January 2, 2026, those operating without insurance will face fines ranging from €202 to €800.
Scope of Registration and Key Deadlines
This regulation applies to all single or multi-wheeled vehicles powered by an electric motor with a maximum speed between 6 and 25 km/h. For new vehicles sold after January 22, 2024, they must be of a certified model. Older vehicles purchased before this date can be used temporarily until January 22, 2027, but will require certification to be used on public roads thereafter. All owners must begin the registration process from January 30, 2026.
Registration Process and Fees
The registration fee for each vehicle is €8.67. Owners can complete the registration process through the DGT website, by phone, or via authorized agents. For certified vehicles purchased after January 22, 2024, owners can complete the process online with their identification (DNI/NIE) and vehicle information. For older vehicles, owners can complete the registration before January 22, 2027, by providing documents such as the purchase invoice or technical specifications sheet.
Penalties for Non-Compliance and Vehicle Management
After the deadline of January 22, 2027, any unregistered older scooters will be confiscated by law enforcement. If a vehicle lacks both registration and insurance, the cumulative fines could exceed €1,000. Furthermore, any sale of a vehicle must have the ownership change registered within 30 days. Scrapped vehicles must be processed through an authorized center to ensure the safe recycling of components like batteries.
