Spain Rolls Out Stricter Nationwide Rules for E-Scooters and Vulnerable Road Users

Spain Rolls Out Stricter Nationwide Rules for E-Scooters and Vulnerable Road Users
Table of Contents

    Spain is taking a big step to make its streets and highways safer. The national government has officially updated the General Traffic Regulations. These new changes will introduce strict rules for electric scooters and other modern modes of transport. From now on, e-scooter riders must be at least 15 years old. In addition, they must wear a properly fastened helmet at all times, no matter where they ride. This major reform puts an end to confusing local laws and creates one clear standard for the entire country.

    Electric scooters fall under the legal category of personal mobility vehicles. In recent years, they have become very popular in Spanish towns and cities. However, this sudden rise in popularity has caused growing concern. The number of traffic accidents involving e-scooters has increased. Until now, different cities had completely different rules. One city might require a helmet for a electric scooter, while a nearby town might not. A person could cross a city limit and suddenly be breaking the law. Now, the government has solved this problem. The rules are the same everywhere. Every single e-scooter rider in Spain must wear a helmet.

    Furthermore, the national minimum age to ride an e-scooter is strictly set at 15.

    Safety is not just about wearing a helmet. The new laws also focus heavily on making riders easy to see in traffic. Electric scooter riders must use lights and wear reflective clothing when riding at night. They must also use reflective gear whenever visibility is generally poor. Breaking these new safety rules will be quite costly. Riders who do not wear a helmet or fail to use the correct visibility gear will face a fine of 200 euros.

    The Interior Ministry and the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) designed this comprehensive reform. Their main goal is to protect "vulnerable road users." This specific group includes pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and electric scooter riders. The previous traffic rules were written over two decades ago. The government stated that the old laws simply did not fit modern city life. Vehicles like e-scooters did not even exist when the original rules were adopted.

    Electric scooter riders are not the only people who will face new requirements. Motorcyclists will also have to adapt to stricter safety standards. Riders of motorcycles and mopeds must now wear protective gloves when driving on interurban roads. They are also required to wear closed footwear on all types of roads. This means sandals and flip-flops are strictly banned for motorcyclists.

    The new legal reform also offers better protection for cyclists. Car and truck drivers must be much more careful when overtaking bicycles. On roads with more than one lane in each direction, drivers will have to change lanes completely to pass a cyclist safely. They must also slow down and maintain a safe lateral distance while passing.

    The government also wants to improve how traffic flows during major emergencies. The updated rules include new measures for heavy traffic jams and severe snowfall. When traffic stops completely, drivers must move their cars to the sides of their lane. This creates a clear, open corridor down the middle of the road. Police, ambulances, and snow-clearing vehicles can then pass through quickly.

    The vast majority of these new safety measures will officially take effect on October 1, 2026.

    Drivers and riders need to prepare for these changes soon. However, a few specific rules will take a little more time to apply. The rule requiring e-scooters to have their lights switched on at all times will be delayed. It will not become mandatory until October 1, 2027. This extra year gives users and manufacturers enough time to adapt their vehicles to the new legal requirements.

    Related topics:

    Recommended SUNNIGOO models

    Looking for a model that matches what we covered above? These are the 4 most relevant options in the SUNNIGOO lineup, all shipped from EU warehouses:

    Not sure which one fits your commute? Read our latest guides and updates, or contact our team for a recommendation.

    Related topics

    Sources

    Last checked 2026-11-10