Greece bans electric scooters for under‑17s, adds insurance and high fines

The Greek parliament approved a comprehensive law tightening the rules for electric scooters and light personal electric vehicles. It prohibits anyone under 17 years old from riding on public roads, with a €150 fine for violators and a €1,000 penalty for companies that rent to minors. Riders must carry proof of civil‑liability insurance; driving without it incurs a €250 fine. An electronic register will record ownership and technical details, allowing authorities to verify age and insurance status.

The law also bans scooters on roads where the speed limit exceeds 50 km/h, imposing a €350 fine for such use. Additional penalties include €40‑80 fines for obstructing sidewalks or crosswalks, and €40‑150 fines for riding without a helmet, using a mobile phone, or wearing headphones. The measures respond to a rise in accidents involving youths – about 400 children were injured last year, some fatally – and aim to make Greece one of the strictest EU jurisdictions on e‑scooter safety.