Is e-scooter insurance compulsory?

Yes, since 2 January 2026. Law 5/2025 requires the owner of an e-scooter to have liability insurance in order to use it on the road, as with cars but with its own minimum cover. In addition, since 30 January 2026 the e-scooter must be entered in the register of the “Dirección General de Tráfico” —Spain's traffic authority— and display its identification label. The fine for not having the insurance is one third of the fine for an uninsured car.

Alburquerque Abogados

José Manuel Alburquerque
Insurance law

Which e-scooters

  • Light personal vehicles, which are single-seat and electric, with a maximum design speed of 6 to 25 km/h if they weigh less than 25 kilos, or 6 to 14 km/h if they weigh more.
  • If the e-scooter exceeds those speeds, it is no longer a light personal vehicle but a motor vehicle. It needs the same compulsory insurance as other vehicles and, to be used on the road, it must be type-approved and registered in its category, like a moped.
  • Ordinary pedal-assisted bicycles are not included.

What it must cover

  • Harm caused to other people, up to at least 6.450.000 euros per accident. Damage caused to other people's property, up to at least 1.300.000 euros.
  • Only within Spain.
  • The insurer pays the victim, but it can then recover what it has paid from anyone who was riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who tampered with the e-scooter to make it go faster, if that contributed to the accident.
  • It does not cover your own injuries or damage to your e-scooter. For your injuries you need personal accident insurance and, for the e-scooter, damage insurance.

Registration and older e-scooters

Since 22 January 2024, only e-scooters with a certificate of circulation can be sold. They are entered in the traffic authority's register of light personal vehicles, which issues a number used to apply for the identification label. Without registration they cannot be used on the road. E-scooters without a certificate bought before 22 January 2024 can be used until 22 January 2027 if they are registered with their make, model and serial number. While they are in use, the “Ministerio del Interior”, Spain's Ministry of the Interior, considers that they must also be insured. From 22 January 2027 they will no longer be allowed on the road. If you sell the e-scooter, the change of owner must be notified within 30 days.

This answer is provided for educational purposes and offers initial guidance on the question raised. Every matter has its own circumstances and nuances that require individual assessment. For that reason, before taking decisions with significant consequences, it is advisable to consult a professional and not to rely solely on this information. Personalised advice makes it possible to apply these explanations to the specific case and to assess the options available with greater certainty.