Electric Scooter Insurance in Europe: Do You Need It and How to Get It?

Here’s a question a lot of European scooter riders got caught out by in early 2026: is my scooter actually legal to ride right now?

Across Europe, insurance rules for electric scooters changed significantly between 2025 and 2026. Spain made liability insurance mandatory from January 30, 2026. Italy followed from May 2026. France tightened its civil liability requirements. Germany has required insurance since 2019 — but a surprising number of riders still don’t have it.

If you’re not sure whether you need insurance, what type to get, or how much it should cost this guide covers every country, every rule, and every option clearly. No legal jargon, no vague answers.

As of June 2026, electric scooter insurance is legally mandatory in Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and France. Riders in these countries without valid insurance face fines, vehicle seizure, and in Germany’s case, potential criminal penalties. For riders in other European countries where it isn’t yet mandatory, getting covered is still strongly recommended especially liability coverage.

Here’s a quick country-by-country reference:

Country	Mandatory?	Type Required	Fine for Non-Compliance
Germany	Yes (since 2019)	Liability + license plate	Up to 1 year imprisonment or fine
Spain	Yes (from Jan 2026)	Public liability	Up to €1,000 + vehicle seizure
Italy	Yes (from May 2026)	Compulsory RC (liability)	Up to €400
Netherlands	Yes	Third-party liability	Riding prohibited without it
Norway	Yes (since 2023)	Liability	Fine + impoundment
France	Yes (Jan 2026)	Civil liability (PLV)	Fines apply
Finland	Recommended	Not mandatory (rules updated 2025)	—
Belgium	Not mandatory	Not required	—
Austria	Not mandatory	Not required	—
Luxembourg	Not mandatory	Existing policies often sufficient	—
UK	Complex	Not required for private land/trials	£300 fine + 6 licence points for illegal public road use

Country-by-Country: What’s Actually Required

Germany— Mandatory Since 2019

Germany has required electric scooter insurance longer than any other major European country — since June 2019, when e-scooters were first legalised for road use. Insurance is mandatory and the insurance company sends you a physical licence plate sticker after you take out a policy — from March 2026, the sticker colour changed from green to black. The plate must be affixed visibly on the scooter at all times.

Riding without insurance in Germany is not just a traffic violation — it’s a criminal offence carrying potential imprisonment of up to one year or a fine. The minimum required cover is third-party liability, which pays for damage or injuries you cause to other people.

What it costs in Germany: Liability insurance typically runs €50–€100 per year depending on the insurer and your riding history. Major German insurers offering e-scooter policies include Allianz, HUK-Coburg, and DEVK.

Spain— Mandatory From January 30, 2026

From January 30, 2026, public liability insurance is mandatory throughout Spain for all personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) — which includes electric scooters, unicycles, and hoverboards. PMVs must also now be registered in the national vehicle registry through the DGT’s Electronic Office.

Riding uninsured in Spain risks a fine of up to €1,000 and vehicle seizure. This is a significant change — Spain moved quickly and the enforcement is real. If you’re riding in Spain and don’t yet have cover, this is urgent.

What it costs in Spain: Basic public liability coverage starts at approximately €3–€5 per month through major Spanish insurers and specialist PMV insurance providers.

Italy— Mandatory From May 2026

Italy introduced compulsory RC (Responsabilità Civile) insurance for electric scooters from May 2026. Fines for riding without it reach up to €400, and premiums have already risen by around 25% since the announcement.

What it costs in Italy: Over €100 annually for a standard €300 scooter under the new compulsory RC framework. Higher-value scooters cost more to insure.

Netherlands— Mandatory, No Exceptions

Insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands for all electric scooters ridden on public roads. Without it, you are legally prohibited from riding. The minimum required cover is third-party liability.

Electric scooters are generally more expensive to insure than petrol scooters in the Netherlands due to higher purchase prices, greater theft risk, and the cost of battery repairs.

What it costs in the Netherlands: Third-party liability starts at approximately €3 per month through insurers like Alpina. Comprehensive cover including theft costs more depending on the scooter’s value.

France— Civil Liability Required From January 2026

France requires civil liability insurance for all personal light vehicles (PLVs) including electric scooters from January 2026. The good news for French riders is that this liability is often already included in a standard multi-risk home insurance (assurance habitation) policy — check your existing policy before buying a separate one.

If you’re not covered through home insurance, dedicated e-scooter cover starts from around €3.56 per month through providers like Luko by Allianz Direct.

Norway— Mandatory Since 2023

Norway extended mandatory liability insurance to privately owned electric scooters in 2023. Rental fleets had been required to carry insurance since 2022. Riding uninsured risks fines and impoundment.

UK— Complicated

The UK situation is genuinely confusing and worth understanding carefully. Private electric scooters remain illegal on public roads in the UK — only rental scooters in approved government trial areas can be used on public roads legally. This means insurance isn’t the issue for most UK private scooter owners — legality of riding on public roads is.

Riding a private scooter on a UK public road outside an approved trial area risks a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on your driving licence — regardless of whether you have insurance or not. On private land, no insurance is required.

For the latest on what’s actually legal in the UK and other European countries, our electric scooter laws in Europe guide covers the full picture country by country.

What Types of Cover Are Available?

There are three main types of electric scooter insurance. The minimum required by law where mandatory is third-party liability. For scooters worth more than €500, adding theft cover is strongly recommended given how frequently they are stolen.

1. Third-Party Liability (TPL) — The Legal Minimum

This is what most countries require. It covers damage or injuries you cause to other people — pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles. It does not cover damage to your own scooter or theft.

This is the type referenced in Germany’s mandatory requirement, Spain’s new PMV law, Italy’s RC, and the Netherlands’ minimum cover rule.

2. Comprehensive Cover

Adds cover for damage to your own scooter in an accident — whether you’re at fault or not. Typically costs more than TPL-only policies. Worth considering for scooters over €1,000 in value.

3. Theft and Fire Cover

For high-value scooters between €400–€2,000, adding theft coverage is strongly recommended given how frequently they are stolen. Electric scooters are among the most stolen personal vehicles in European cities — we covered exactly how to reduce that risk in our guide to electric scooter theft prevention, but insurance is the financial backstop for when prevention isn’t enough.

Does Your Home Insurance Already Cover You?

Before buying a separate policy, check your home insurance. In France and Luxembourg, civil liability for electric scooters is often already included in standard home contents policies. In the UK, some home contents policies cover theft of personal property including scooters.

In Luxembourg, existing home or personal policies frequently cover scooter risks including theft of an €800 scooter. A 10-minute call to your insurer could save you buying a separate policy.

What home insurance usually does not cover: third-party liability for road accidents, damage to your scooter in a collision, or liability claims above modest personal property limits. If you ride on public roads regularly, a dedicated policy gives you cleaner, more reliable protection than hoping a home policy stretches to cover you.

How to Get Insured: Step by Step

Getting electric scooter insurance in Europe is simpler than most riders expect. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Check if it’s mandatory in your country. Use the table above. If you’re in Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, or France — get covered before your next ride.

Step 2: Check your existing home insurance. Call or check online. In France especially, you may already be covered for civil liability.

Step 3: Choose your cover level. At minimum, get third-party liability. If your scooter cost over €500, seriously consider adding theft cover.

Step 4: Get quotes from specialist providers. General car insurance comparison sites often don’t include e-scooter policies — look for specialist micromobility insurers in your country. In Germany try HUK-Coburg, Allianz, or DEVK. In France try Luko by Allianz Direct. In the Netherlands try Alpina. In Spain try BBVA Seguros or specialist PMV brokers.

Step 5: Keep proof of insurance on your phone. In Germany you’ll receive a physical plate sticker. In other countries, a digital policy document is typically sufficient as proof.

How Much Should You Pay? Real 2026 Cost Benchmarks

Country	Cover Type	Approx. Annual Cost
Germany	TPL (mandatory)	€50–€100/year
Spain	Public liability (PMV)	€36–€60/year (~€3–5/month)
Italy	Compulsory RC	€100+/year
Netherlands	Third-party liability	~€36/year (~€3/month)
France	Civil liability (PLV)	From ~€43/year (~€3.56/month)
UK	Comprehensive (private land use)	£100–£300+/year

Note: Costs increase significantly for higher-value scooters, younger riders, and comprehensive cover including theft. These figures reflect basic liability cover for a standard commuter scooter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is electric scooter insurance mandatory in Europe? It depends on the country. As of 2026, insurance is mandatory in Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and France. Belgium, Austria, and Luxembourg do not currently require it. The UK situation is unique — private scooters are illegal on public roads regardless of insurance status.

How much does electric scooter insurance cost in Europe? It varies significantly. Netherlands third-party liability starts at ~€3/month. France civil liability from ~€3.56/month. Italy RC from €100+/year. Germany liability typically €50–€100/year. For high-value scooters or comprehensive cover, expect to pay more.

What happens if I ride without insurance where it’s mandatory? Penalties are serious. Spain: up to €1,000 fine and vehicle seizure. Italy: up to €400 fine. Germany: potential criminal conviction, imprisonment up to one year or a fine. UK: £300 fixed penalty and six licence points for illegal public road use.

Does home insurance cover my electric scooter? Sometimes partially. In France and Luxembourg, civil liability for scooters is often included in home policies. In the UK, some policies cover theft. However, home insurance rarely covers third-party liability for road incidents or collision damage. Always check your policy wording specifically.

What types of electric scooter insurance are available? Third-party liability (legal minimum where mandatory), comprehensive cover (adds damage to your own scooter), and theft and fire cover. For scooters over €500, adding theft cover is strongly recommended given theft rates across European cities.