Electric scooter regulations under scrutiny in Romania and Hungary

New regulatory discussions regarding electric scooters are emerging in Romania and Hungary, highlighting different safety and operational concerns.

In Romania, police data reveals that private electric scooters are significantly more dangerous than rental fleets. Between early 2025 and mid-2026, private scooters were involved in 2,737 accidents and 22 deaths, compared to 530 accidents and two deaths involving rental services. The Coalition for Digital Economy warns that proposed regulations might inadvertently harm safer rental systems—which utilize speed limits, geofencing, and automatic slowing in pedestrian zones—while private users remain exempt from such technical controls.

In Hungary, Minister of Transport and Investment Dávid Vitézy announced that new regulations for electric scooters are expected within weeks. A survey of over 300,000 people showed 94% support for regulation, with 89% favoring a distinction between high-performance scooters and those under 25 km/h. Discussions are ongoing regarding age limits for users, with public opinion split between 14 and 16 years old, as the government seeks to align with various European Union standards.