New Law 5/2025 on insurance for personal mobility vehicles (PMVs): does it affect Legend eBikes electric bicycles?

Starting on January 2, 2026, all electric scooters and other Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) traveling in Spain must have mandatory civil liability insurance, according to the new Law 5/2025. This regulation creates a specific insurance policy for so-called Light Personal Vehicles (LPVs) and establishes a transition period from its publication in July 2025 until its full implementation in 2026. Many electric bicycle users are now wondering if this requirement affects them. The good news is that electric pedal-assisted bicycles (EPACs), such as those from Legend eBikes, are exempt from this requirement as long as they meet the power and speed conditions of European regulations. Below, we offer a detailed analysis to clarify and reassure our customers, including the context in Spain and Europe, and why it will not be necessary to take out compulsory insurance for your Legend e-bike under the current conditions.

Quick summary

• Compulsory insurance for scooters in 2026: From January 2, 2026, electric scooters and other single-seat PMVs must have compulsory civil liability insurance to legally circulate in Spain.
  
• EPAC bikes excluded: Electric pedal-assisted bikes (EPAC) that comply with European regulations (motor ≤ 250 W and assistance up to 25 km/h) are excluded from this obligation. Law 5/2025 does not require insurance for these bikes as they are not considered motor vehicles.
  
• Legend electric bikes, no worries: All Legend eBikes models, Monza, Siena, Milano, and Etna (250 W version), comply with EPAC regulations and do not require compulsory insurance, registration, or a special license for use on public roads.
  
• What about more powerful e-bikes? Only electric bicycles that exceed these limits (for example, “speed pedelecs” with greater power or speed, or with an accelerator without pedaling) are considered electric mopeds and must be registered and insured as such. In the case of Legend, only the 500 W version of the Etna falls into this category; however, it is designed for off-road use and on unpaved roads, so off-road it does not require insurance as it is not used on public roads. If used on urban roads, due to its power (> 250 W) and top speed (~40 km/h), it would be equivalent to a moped and would be subject to insurance and type approval to comply with the law.
  

The new Law 5/2025: Compulsory insurance for PMVs in Spain

Law 5/2025, of July 24, 2025, modifies the legislation on civil liability and insurance for motor vehicles in Spain. The most notable change is the extension of compulsory insurance to personal electric mobility vehicles, in view of the boom in scooters, unicycles, hoverboards, etc. Until now, it was only compulsory to insure registered vehicles (cars, motorcycles, etc.). Under the new law, insurance is required according to the characteristics of the vehicle, mainly its maximum factory speed and weight, regardless of whether it is registered.

Specifically, the legal category of Light Personal Vehicle (VPL) has been created for those single-seater PMVs with electric motors that can reach a maximum speed of between 6 km/h and 25 km/h (if they weigh less than 25 kg) or between 6 km/h and 14 km/h (if they weigh more than 25 kg). Typical examples of PLVs are electric scooters, unicycles, Segways, and even motorized mobility chairs, provided they fall within these weight and speed ranges. As of January 2026, all PLVs must have valid civil liability insurance in order to be driven, similar to compulsory car insurance but with adapted coverage.

What minimum coverage will this insurance have? The law equates the minimums to those of car insurance: up to €6,450,000 per claim for personal injury and €1,300,000 for property damage. In addition, before January 2, 2026, a national VMP registry (DGT) and an identification system (label or license plate) for these vehicles will be established so that insurance compliance can be monitored.

Important: The law expressly excludes pedal-assisted bicycles (EPAC) from the definition of VPL, provided that they have a rated power ≤ 250 W and pedal assistance is cut off at 25 km/h. This means that, legally, electric bicycles that comply with European regulations are considered conventional bicycles, not motor vehicles. Therefore, they are not required to have insurance under this law or to be registered as VPLs. In other words, if your e-bike complies with the EPAC standard (such as Legend eBikes), you can continue to use it without taking out additional insurance or completing any other special procedures. This clarification in the law brings peace of mind to thousands of urban cyclists who use pedal-assisted e-bikes.

Will insurance also be mandatory in other European countries?

The measure adopted in Spain is part of a European trend. In fact, Law 5/2025 transposes Directive (EU) 2021/2118 of the European Parliament, which seeks to harmonize civil liability insurance for motor vehicles in all member states. Each EU country must adapt its legislation, so we will see similar changes elsewhere.

France and Germany have already required compulsory insurance for electric scooters and similar PMVs since 2019. In these countries, PMVs are treated as mopeds for insurance purposes, and users must have specific civil liability policies. Italy is also in the process of passing a similar law. In other words, it is not just Spain: the whole of Europe is moving towards compulsory insurance for PMVs, in line with EU guidelines.

However, there is one common point in practically all European regulations: EPAC bicycles (≤ 250 W, 25 km/h assisted) are not considered motor vehicles. The definition of a pedal-assisted bicycle is unified by Regulation EU 168/2013 and standard EN15194, which excludes these bikes from the compulsory insurance requirement in most countries, as in Spain. For example, in France and Germany, EPAC e-bikes also do not need insurance (they are comparable to traditional bicycles), while speed pedelecs must be insured as mopeds. In short, if you travel with your European-approved e-bike, the rules are similar: scooters and other motorized PMVs, yes insurance; EPAC bikes, no.

How does this affect (or not) Legend eBikes electric bikes?

All Legend eBikes electric bikes are approved as EPACs, so they are not affected by the new Law 5/2025 in terms of compulsory insurance. Our Legend Monza, Legend Siena, Legend Milano, and Legend Etna (250 W version) models comply with European regulations for pedal-assisted bicycles: they have a continuous rated power of 250 W and the electric assistance is limited to 25 km/h, automatically disconnecting when that speed is exceeded or when you stop pedaling. In addition, they all have EU EN15194 certification, specific for EPAC electric bicycles, which guarantees compliance with European quality and safety standards. This places Legend eBikes in the category of conventional bicycles for legal purposes, falling outside the definition of “motor vehicle” in Law 5/2025.

What does this mean for our customers? In practice:

• You will not need to take out compulsory civil liability insurance to ride your Legend eBike in the city or on the road (although it is always advisable to have voluntary bicycle insurance for your peace of mind, it is not a legal requirement for EPACs).
  
• You will not have to register your bicycle or obtain a special driving license, as it is not legally a moped but a bicycle.
  
• You can continue to enjoy electric mobility without any extra paperwork or added costs, just as you have been doing until now.
  

And what about the 500 W Legend Etna? This is a special case: the alternative version of the Etna has a 500 W motor and can reach ~40 km/h of assisted speed. Since it exceeds EPAC limits, in Spain (and the EU) it is technically considered an “electric moped.” Consequently, it would require insurance, registration, and approval for use on public roads, just like any speed-pedelec or moped. However, the Etna 500 W is primarily intended for off-road use: it comes with a warning that its purpose is for off-road or unpaved terrain. When used in this private environment or off public roads, insurance is not required (the law refers to riding on public roads). We therefore recommend that our users stick to the intended use: if you want the Etna for mountain trails or paths, you can enjoy its extra power without worrying about insurance; if you intend to use it in the city, it is better to opt for the 250 W (approved) version so as not to incur additional legal requirements.

In summary, all Legend eBikes in the standard catalog are exempt from the new mandatory insurance. Each model is designed in accordance with current EPAC regulations, so you can pedal with electric assistance with complete legal peace of mind.

Advantages of Legend e-bikes (EPAC) over other PMVs

Choosing a Legend electric bike over other PMVs (such as electric scooters) now has more benefits than ever, in light of this regulation:

1. No extra costs or paperwork: As it is EPAC, your Legend e-bike does not require compulsory insurance, registration, or additional registration to ride. You save on the annual cost of PMV insurance and avoid bureaucratic procedures.
   
2. Active and sustainable mobility: Unlike a scooter, with a pedal-assisted bicycle you combine physical exercise with clean transportation. You continue to be active while pedaling (with electric assistance when you need it) and contribute to healthier and more environmentally friendly urban mobility.
   
3. Legal certainty at the European level: Legend e-bikes comply with EPAC regulations recognized throughout Europe, giving you stability and legal certainty. The rules for electric bikes are clear and consistent across the EU, avoiding surprises in different countries. This regulatory stability encourages confidence in investing in an e-bike over other gadgets whose regulations may vary or become stricter.
   
4. Quality and certification: All Legend bikes are certified under the EN15194 standard for electrical and mechanical safety for assisted bikes. In addition, they incorporate high-end components (MAHLE motors, quality lithium batteries, hydraulic brakes, etc.) that provide reliability. In short, you get a robust, safe vehicle with a 2-year warranty, ready for smooth everyday urban use.
   

Conclusion

The entry into force of compulsory insurance for scooters and other PMVs in 2026 marks a turning point in urban mobility. Many users will have to adapt to new obligations, but it is also an opportunity to opt for more efficient alternatives without legal complications. Legend eBikes are establishing themselves as the ideal option: they offer all the advantages of electric mobility (savings, sustainability, agility) without the administrative inconveniences that will now affect other personal vehicles.

In short, if you already have a Legend eBike, you can rest assured: this new law does not require you to take out any extra insurance for your bike, as long as you continue to enjoy it under the usual conditions of use. And if you haven't yet switched to electric bike mobility, now is the perfect time to do so with Legend. With our approved e-bikes, you can move around freely, without paperwork or additional costs, and with the confidence of complying with regulations in Spain and Europe.

Don't have your Legend e-bike yet? Discover all our EPAC models at Legend eBikes and join the cleaner, smarter, worry-free world of electric mobility. See you on the road (or bike path)!