E-scooter insurance in Spain: compulsory since 2026, what you need to know

E-scooters have become a normal way to get around Murcia, from students heading to campus to residents crossing the city centre. Since 2026, riding one in Spain also means having insurance.

What changed

Spain's motor insurance law was reformed in 2025 (Ley 5/2025) to cover personal mobility vehicles (vehículos de movilidad personal, VMP), such as e-scooters. The insurance requirement was due to start on 2 January 2026, but the DGT postponed it for most e-scooters until its new register was up and running, which happened at the end of January 2026. Heavier, faster models (over 25 kg and 14 km/h) had to be insured from 26 January 2026 in any case.

Before insuring your e-scooter, you now need to register it in the DGT's vehicle register (Registro Nacional de Vehículos) through the DGT website. Once you have the registration certificate, you can get the identification sticker and take out the insurance.

The aim is simple: if you injure a pedestrian or damage a car while riding, there's an insurer to pay the compensation, instead of you personally.

Who needs it

• Owners of e-scooters and other personal mobility vehicles used on public roads.

• It applies whether you use it every day or occasionally.

Shared scooters rented through an app are usually covered by the operator's insurance; check the conditions of the service.

What the insurance covers

The compulsory part covers your liability to third parties: injuries and damage you cause to others. Depending on the policy, you can also add:

• Legal defence.

• Personal accident cover for the rider.

• Theft, which is common for scooters parked in the street.

See the options on our e-scooter insurance page.

Riding rules to keep in mind

Rules on where and how you can ride are set by the DGT and by each town hall, so they can differ between cities. In general:

• Pavements are off-limits.

• One person per scooter.

• No headphones or mobile phones while riding.

• Alcohol and drug limits apply, as for other vehicles.

• Your scooter must meet the technical requirements set by the DGT.

• Many towns require a helmet, and bylaws on speed and parking vary.

Check the local rules in Murcia or in whichever town you ride.

How we can help

If you've just bought an e-scooter, or you've been riding one without insurance since the rules changed, we can set up a policy in English in minutes, by WhatsApp or at our office in central Murcia.

Get covered before you ride

Get an e-scooter insurance quote or read which insurance is compulsory in Spain.

Sources

• Ley 5/2025, de 24 de julio, amending the Spanish motor insurance law, BOE.

• Registration and insurance of personal mobility vehicles (23 December 2025), DGT (in Spanish).

• Tráfico launches the Register of Light Personal Vehicles (27 January 2026), Ministerio del Interior (in Spanish).