Are e-scooters legal in the Netherlands?

Nina20 JANUARY 2026

Content

What is an e-scooter?
Is an e-scooter legal?
Which e-scooters are legal?
Our advice on using e-scooters
Frequently asked questions: e-scooters

A person rides a scooter on a brick path toward a bright sunset. Buildings and trees are in the background.

An electric scooter makes life easier. You don’t have to push off nearly as hard to get moving. With some models you don’t need to kick at all to get from A to B. However, most e-scooter models are currently not legal in the Netherlands. Since 1 July 2025 new rules for e-scooters have been announced. In this article you can read all about them.

What is an e-scooter?

A person on a scooter, wearing a shirt, tie, and slacks, with a shoulder bag and a cup, outdoors on a sidewalk.

An e-scooter is a scooter like you might remember from the old days, but with an electric motor. In the Netherlands, there are two different types of e-scooters: with and without pedal assistance. On an e-scooter without pedal assistance, you don't have to push off the ground at all to move forward. It's completely electric. On an e-scooter with pedal assistance, you still have to work hard to move forward. You only get an electric boost from an auxiliary motor, which allows you to keep scooting longer and move faster.

Naar alle e-steps

Is an e-scooter legal?

A person in a dress and sunglasses rides an electric scooter on a city street with pedestrians and buildings in the background.

Pedal-assist electric scooters are generally legal in the Netherlands. The auxiliary motor of these scooters may have a maximum power of 250 watts, and you may not exceed a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. A fully electric scooter is considered a special moped in the Netherlands. Most of these e-scooters are not yet legal in the Netherlands. This means you are not allowed to use them on public roads. There are a few exceptions. You can read more about these in the next paragraph. However, new legislation regarding e-scooters has taken effect on July 1, 2025. For example, a license plate is required for all new e-scooters produced by manufacturers after July 1, 2025. All models approved by the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) before this date do not need a license plate until July 1, 2026. In addition, several sellers have applied for approval to allow their e-scooters on public roads. More information will be available later.

Additional rules for the use of e-scooters

Please note that you may not exceed 25 kilometers per hour on an approved electric scooter, must always ride on the right side of the cycle path or moped lane, and are not allowed on the sidewalk. You don't need a driver's license for an approved e-scooter, but you must be at least 16 years old to ride one. You are also required to have third-party liability insurance. You can display a sticker on your e-scooter to prove this. You are also not allowed to hold a smartphone or other electronic device while riding, as this increases the risk of an accident. If you don't follow these rules, you risk a fine of approximately €300 from the police.

Ontdek de beste elektrische steps

Which e-scooters are legal?

Only the following fully electric e-scooters have been approved by the Dutch government (RDW) for road use. These are:

E-scooters from the Kickbike brand, Cruise type.
E-scooters from the Kickbike brand, Fat Max and Luxury types.
E-scooters from the Yedoo Mezeq brand.

Do you own a fully electric scooter from another brand? Then you are not currently allowed to use it on the road in the Netherlands. However, riding unapproved e-scooters on private property or in a driveway is permitted.

Our advice on using e-scooters

Een vrouw en een man rijden op een step in een park met bomen en een betonnen skatebaan op een zonnige dag.

It's very tempting to buy an electric scooter. The idea of zipping from A to B without much effort is a given. Because not all fully electric scooters are legal in the Netherlands yet, it's important to be careful about which vehicle you use. Don't have an approved e-scooter with a license plate? Then only use it on private property. From July 1, 2025, more e-scooters will be approved for public roads if you follow the regulations. Do you have an e-scooter that only gives you an electric boost? Then the chances of being allowed on Dutch public roads are much higher. To be on the safe side, also check whether these vehicles are completely safe to use.