New regulations for the safe use of electric scooters—including a ban on use by persons under 17, stricter penalties for riding in high-risk roads, and mandatory insurance coverage—are introduced through provisions included in the draft law of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family titled “Personal Assistant, Early Intervention and other active policies for persons with disabilities and children with disabilities, housing policy regulations and other provisions,” which was put into public consultation today.

This legislative initiative, as stated in an announcement by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, aims to strengthen road safety in the use of electric scooters, prevent accidents, and especially protect minors from risks associated with their use and availability.

The provisions include:

• a ban on riding electric scooters by persons under 17 years old,
• stricter penalties for riding electric scooters on high-risk roads,
• obligation for scooter riders to carry identification documents and proof of insurance,
• mandatory insurance coverage for the circulation of electric scooters,
• a ban on the sale, rental, and distribution of electric scooters to persons under 17, along with penalties for sellers, providers, and lessors who violate the rules.

“The safety of the roads and the protection of human life are an uncompromising priority”
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Giorgos Kotsiras, stated: “Road safety and the protection of human life are an uncompromising priority. Recently, serious traffic accidents involving electric scooters have been recorded, in several cases with children among the victims. For this reason, recognizing the urgency of the issue, we decided to prioritize this legislative initiative to establish a stricter and more effective regulatory framework for electric scooters, incorporating the relevant provisions into the bill of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, so that they can enter into force as soon as possible.

Our goal is clear: to enhance safety on the roads, reduce accidents, and protect human life, with special care for children.”

More specifically, the initiative provides the following:

1. Use of electric scooters on the road is prohibited for persons under 17 years old, except for scooters used by persons with disabilities. In case of violation, a fine of €150 is imposed.
2. Penalties are increased for riders using electric scooters on roads with speed limits above 50 km/h. The fine rises from €30 to €350.
3. Scooter riders are required to carry valid identification documents and proof of insurance while riding.
4. Owners of electric scooters must have general third-party liability insurance. In case of violation, a €250 administrative fine is imposed.
5. Sale, rental, and distribution of electric scooters to persons under 17 is prohibited. Sellers must verify the buyer’s age by requesting identification.
6. Companies selling, providing, or renting electric scooters to persons under 17 are fined €1,000.