(Updated Regulations for EU Riders – Road Rules, Speed Limits, Registration Requirements)
Electric skateboards have rapidly grown in popularity across Europe, whether for daily commuting, leisure riding, or urban mobility. However, unlike e-bikes or e-scooters, electric skateboards often fall into a legal grey zone. Every European country, and even some cities, sets its own rules on where and how riders can legally skate.
This comprehensive 2025 guide summarises electric skateboard laws across major European countries, including road access, speed limits, helmet rules, insurance requirements, and whether registration is needed.
⭐Are Electric Skateboards Legal in Europe?
There is no EU-wide regulation for electric skateboards.
Each country creates its own laws under micromobility or small motor-vehicle categories.
This means:
- Some countries fully allow electric skateboards on public roads
- Some only allow them where e-scooters are allowed
- Some allow riding only on private property
- A few countries officially ban them due to missing vehicle classification
Europe remains a patchwork of different rules, so checking local laws before riding is essential.
Country-by-Country Electric Skateboard Laws in Europe (2025)
Below is a simplified overview of the main EU markets.
DE Germany — Illegal on Public Roads
Germany has one of the strictest micromobility systems.
- ❌ Electric skateboards are not street-legal
- ❌ Not allowed on sidewalks or cycle paths
- ✔ Only allowed on private property
Reason: They lack turn signals, type approval & insurance plates required by German law
Germany is currently the strictest EU country for electric skateboards.
FR France — Legal but Strictly Regulated
France allows electric skateboards under the same rules as e-scooters.
- ✔ Allowed on public roads
- ✔ Allowed on bike lanes
- ❌ Sidewalk riding prohibited
- ⚠ Speed limit: 25 km/h
- ⚠ Riders must be 14+ years old
- ⚠ Reflective equipment/lights required at night
France is one of the most e-skate friendly countries in Europe, just follow urban mobility rules.
ES Spain — Allowed with Local Regulations
Spain does not have a unified national rule for electric skateboards.
- ✔ Generally allowed in bike lanes and cycle paths
- ❌ Sidewalks prohibited
- ⚠ Speed typically limited to 25 km/h
- ⚠ Each city (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, etc.) sets its own rules
Spain is permissive overall, but riders must follow municipal traffic regulations.
PT Portugal — Allowed with E-Scooter Rules
- ✔ Legal on public roads and bike lanes
- ✔ Max speed: 25 km/h
- ❌ Sidewalk riding is banned
- ❗ Helmet recommended (not mandatory)
Portugal is considered friendly toward micromobility devices.
NL Netherlands — Currently Illegal
Electric skateboards are treated as “Special Motor Vehicles” requiring type approval.
- ❌ Illegal on public roads
- ❌ Illegal on bike lanes and sidewalks
- ✔ Only allowed on private property
The Netherlands is expected to update micromobility legislation in the coming years.
BE Belgium — Legal With Speed Limit
- ✔ Allowed where bicycles and e-scooters are allowed
- ✔ Max speed: 25 km/h
- ✔ Allowed on bike lanes & roads
- ❌ Sidewalks only if riding <6 km/h
Clear and permissive rules - Belgium is great for urban e-skate.
SE Sweden — Legal Under Scooter Rules
- ✔ Max speed: 20 km/h
- ✔ Max motor output: 250W
- ❗ Anything exceeding these limits becomes illegal motor vehicle
- ✔ Allowed on bike lanes
Important: Many high-powered boards exceed the legal threshold.
DK Denmark — Legal With Conditions
Denmark ran pilot programs for PLEV (Personal Light Electric Vehicles).
- ✔ Max speed: 20 km/h
- ✔ Lights required at all times
- ✔ Helmet recommended
- ❌ Sidewalks prohibited
E-skates are legal but monitored under strict safety rules.
FI Finland — Completely Legal (One of the Best Countries)
Finland treats electric skateboards like lightweight electric vehicles.
- ✔ Max speed: 25 km/h
- ✔ No registration required
- ✔ Allowed on roads and bike lanes
- ✔ Very micromobility-friendly
Finland is one of Europe’s best environments for electric skateboarding.
AT Austria — Legal Under Small Electric Vehicle Category
- ✔ Max speed: 25 km/h
- ✔ Allowed on bike lanes and roads
- ❌ Sidewalks banned
Straightforward and permissive.
IT Italy — Legal but City-Dependent
Italy aligns with e-scooter rules but enforces heavily in some cities.
- ✔ Max speed: 20 km/h urban, 6 km/h in pedestrian areas
- ❗ Lights required
- ❗ Helmets required under 18
- ✔ Allowed on bike lanes
Italy requires strict compliance with safety rules.
CZ Czech Republic — Grey Area
Often compared with bicycles, if speed remains low.
- ✔ Allowed in bike lanes
- ✔ No registration
- ❗ No national limit, but riders keep <25 km/h
PL Poland — Recently Legalised (Following Scooter Rules)
- ✔ Max speed: 20 km/h
- ✔ Bike lanes preferred
- ✔ Helmets recommended
IE Ireland — Pending Regulation (Not Fully Legal Yet)
Ireland is still updating PLEV legislation.
- ❌ Technically illegal on public roads
- ✔ Allowed only on private property
Law expected to update soon.
GB United Kingdom (non-EU but relevant) — Illegal Except Rental Scooters
- ❌ Electric skateboards illegal on public roads and sidewalks
- ✔ Allowed on private property
Only shared e-scooters are permitted in trial cities
The Future: Speed, Insurance & Standardisation
Across Europe, three trends are shaping the future of electric skateboarding:
- Speed limits of 20–25 km/h
This is becoming the universal threshold for safe, legal micromobility.
- Mandatory insurance
Countries like Germany and the Netherlands require liability insurance, impossible to obtain for boards that cannot be registered.
- Convergence with e-scooter rules
As e-scooters become more regulated, e-skates may eventually need similar safety standards, challenging without a handlebar.
Final Takeaway
In Europe, legality varies dramatically.
As a rule of thumb: If a country explicitly recognises PLEVs (France, Belgium, Finland, Denmark), your electric skateboard is likely legal. Otherwise, assume it’s banned.
Always check local city regulations, keep speeds under 20–25 km/h, use bike lanes whenever possible, and avoid sidewalks unless clearly allowed.
