New Electric Scooter Insurance Rules in Tenerife

Mandatory Insurance Starting in 2026

From January 2026, riding an electric scooter in Spain will no longer be as simple as before. A new law makes it mandatory for all personal mobility vehicles, including scooters, to have third-party liability insurance. This applies throughout the country, including here in Costa Adeje and across the south of Tenerife.

Why the Law Is Changing

Until now, scooters could be used without insurance, which often left pedestrians and drivers unprotected in the event of an accident. Many victims struggled to receive compensation, especially when riders claimed they were unable to pay. The reform of the Motor Insurance Law, approved by the Spanish Congress, aims to solve this problem and provide more security for everyone using the roads.

What Counts as a Light Personal Vehicle

The law now defines what counts as a light personal vehicle. Electric scooters must weigh under 25 kilograms and have a maximum speed between 6 and 25 km/h. If a scooter is heavier, its speed must be limited to 14 km/h. Only one person is allowed on each scooter. Despite these restrictions, police in Tenerife frequently find scooters that have been modified to go much faster, sometimes reaching 60 km/h or more. It is also common to see more than one person sharing a scooter, especially in tourist areas like Costa Adeje, which is both illegal and dangerous.

National Register of Scooters

Another major change is the creation of a national register of scooter owners, which will be managed by the Spanish Traffic Authority. This register should be ready by January 2026. In 2023, the Spanish Federation of Personal Mobility Vehicles estimated there were around five million scooters in Spain, but the real number is unclear. In places like South Tenerife, use of scooters has fallen slightly because of restrictions on public transport, where they are now banned due to fire risks linked to their batteries.

Local Rules in Tenerife and Spain

Local governments are also taking action. Madrid has already cancelled licences for scooter rental companies, and by 2027 only certified and approved models will be allowed on Spanish roads. This will affect residents and visitors in Tenerife as well, where scooters have become a common sight in holiday areas such as Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas.

Better Protection for Accident Victims

The reform also brings improvements in how accident victims are compensated. Police reports will be easier to obtain, medical checks will be carried out faster, and mediation will help avoid long and costly court cases. Compensation will be updated in line with inflation and extended to include carers and close family members. If an insurance company becomes insolvent or if an accident involves an uninsured vehicle, the Insurance Compensation Consortium will take responsibility for paying victims.

What This Means for Costa Adeje

For residents and tourists in Costa Adeje and the wider south of Tenerife, this means that riding an electric scooter will soon require proper insurance. The goal is to make the roads safer while still supporting eco-friendly transport. If you use a scooter in the Canary Islands, now is the right time to prepare for these changes so that by 2026 you can continue riding legally and safely.