From January 2026, it will be compulsory for all owners of electric scooters and other personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) in Spain to hold civil liability insurance. This requirement, recently approved by the Spanish Congress through an amendment to the Automobile Insurance Law, also mandates the creation of a public registry for PMV owners, to be administered by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT)
The reform addresses a long standing legal gap: until now, individuals harmed by scooter accidents were often left unprotected, particularly if the rider at fault lacked sufficient funds to cover compensation. The new legislation seeks to prevent this by ensuring all PMV users are insured.
Significantly, the law introduces the formal definition of a “light personal vehicle” (vehículo personal ligero), referring to electrically powered, single seat devices that weigh less than 25 kg and travel at speeds between 6 km/h and 25 km/h. Vehicles exceeding 25 kg are restricted to a maximum speed of 14 km/h.
The amendment also includes improved measures for compensating victims—introducing streamlined, extrajudicial claims and updating compensation amounts in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In addition, the Compulsory Insurance Compensation Consortium will cover claims in cases of insurer insolvency, deliberate accidents, or incidents where the rider is uninsured.
Moreover, only PMV models that comply with official homologation standards will be permitted for use from 2027. A public registry of PMVs must be established before 2 January 2026, although details concerning its implementation and management are still awaiting definition.
Key Details at a Glance:
| Component | Summary |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | Insurance becomes mandatory from January 2026. |
| Insurance Requirement | Owners deemed at fault must hold civil liability insurance for third-party damages. |
| Vehicle Definition | Single-seat, electric PMVs under 25 kg (max speed 6–25 km/h); over 25 kg capped at 14 km/h. |
| Public Registry | All PMVs must be registered with DGT by 2 January 2026. |
| Compensation & Insurance Support | Victims can access extrajudicial claims; compensation aligns with CPI. The Consortium backs claims if insurers fail. |
| Future Compliance | From 2027, only homologated PMVs are allowed on the road. |
