Autonomous vehicle regulation in Europe is evolving rapidly, with countries adopting a wide range of approaches to testing, deployment, and long-term governance. Some nations have established legal frameworks that enable high-automation operation, others rely on pilot project structures, and many remain in the exploratory phase as they assess safety, liability, and data requirements.
This mapping provides a consolidated view of national readiness across Europe. The interactive map enables users to hover over each country to see its current regulatory status – ranging from exploratory programs to fully enacted legislation – while the summaries below offer concise insights into each jurisdiction’s approach and anticipated developments.
This illustrative map highlights the status of AV regulatory frameworks across Europe by country.*
Level 4 operation permitted under defined conditions.
Comprehensive AV framework.
Pilot stage permits active.
Test permits under review, AV pilots in operation.
Level 4 pilots authorised.
Controlled testing permitted.
Limited on-road testing.
Testing framework in progress
Authorised AV pilots.
Growing pilot activity.
Early AV trials.
Structured AV pilots.
AV testing permitted.
*AV regulation changes fast and this map reflects the most current verified data. Last updated: DD/MM/YYYY.
Croatia currently does not have a comprehensive legal framework for autonomous vehicle operation on public roads and AV testing remains highly restricted. Recent legislative amendments have introduced definitions for automated vehicles into the national Road Traffic Safety Act and the Road Transport Act to align with EU standards, but detailed rules for AV testing and deployment are still being developed. Under the current system, automated vehicles may only be used within strictly controlled test areas or designated conditions with special authorization, and broader on‑road trials at SAE Level 3+ are assessed on a case‑by‑case basis and generally not permitted under existing technical requirements. Liability provisions and safety obligations related to AVs are acknowledged in draft laws, but practical enforcement and full integration into traffic law remain incomplete. Croatia’s laws are evolving alongside EU regulations (e.g., General Safety Regulation and type‑approval processes), but full AV regulatory implementation is still in progress.
What’s Next:
Croatia is actively preparing a legal framework to enable autonomous vehicle testing and operation in public traffic, including the development of national test procedures and adjustments to road safety legislation. The government and parliament are progressing amendments to clarify definitions, liability, and operational conditions, with the aim of aligning more fully with EU regulatory standards and facilitating future AV trials beyond restricted test zones. Continued legislative refinement and practical rule‑making – including criteria for permits, safety oversight, and operational design domains – are expected as the technology and market evolve.
France has adjusted its Highway and Transport Codes to enable AVs – including Level 4 automated vehicles – to be tested and operated under controlled conditions, with recent permits issued for Level 4 driverless usage in limited environments subject to remote supervision and safety requirements. Hands‑free Level 2 systems are permitted with certified assistance tech, and liability is being re‑aligned away from a “driver” model toward system keeper responsibility. Regulatory focus remains on experimental deployments, data sharing, and safety demonstrations.
What’s Next:
Continued refinement of deployment permits, expansion of defined test zones, and integration with EU type‑approval and safety regulations.
Framework available & enabling laws in progress
Finland has established a regulatory framework that allows experimentation with automated vehicles, supported by recent national laws that further enable AV activities. While Finland follows EU and UNECE type‑approval requirements, specific implementation rules and broader on‑road test authorisations are part of ongoing legislative development.
What’s Next:
Finalisation of national rules to clarify safety, liability, and operational design domains for more ambitious test activities.
Italy has passed its initial autonomous driving testing law, allowing AV trials on designated public roads under specified conditions, marking an early step toward broader experimentation. Detailed implementation procedures continue to evolve, and like other EU members, Italy’s operational allowances are shaped by EU and UNECE standards and member‑state exemptions.
What’s Next:
Development of detailed permit processes and safety requirements to facilitate larger‑scale tests and integration with type‑approval pathways.
Germany has one of the most developed national AV legal frameworks, including the Autonomous Driving Act and ordinances that allow Level 4 autonomous operation on defined routes without a safety driver and detailed technical and safety obligations. National rules supplement EU vehicle type‑approval, and Germany has moved toward regular operations in specific use cases.
What’s Next:
Continued refinement of safety standards, broader route approvals, and scaling trials for passenger and freight AVs.
The Netherlands has implemented a dedicated legal framework for AV testing, historically permitting on‑road trials under the supervision of the RDW (vehicle authority), including provisions for driverless tests in controlled scenarios. It is a leading jurisdiction in the EU for structured AV experiments.
What’s Next:
Expansion of permitted conditions and integration with broader EU testing harmonisation efforts.
Norway, while not an EU member, aligns with EU/UNECE vehicle standards and has a testing framework available that supports AV experiments under constrained conditions. On‑road testing beyond controlled environments remains limited and subject to case‑by‑case permissions.
What’s Next:
Regulatory development to support more extreme test scenarios and broader operational domains.
Sweden allows structured on‑road AV testing via a permit scheme requiring safety cases and oversight documentation, with practical pilots in urban mobility and specific use cases including freight and adverse weather studies.
What’s Next:
Possible expansion to heavy‑vehicle AV testing and harmonisation with neighbouring Nordic frameworks.
Switzerland has authorized pilot deployments under controlled conditions, typically requiring Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) approval. Trials focus on autonomous shuttles, last-mile services, and safety-critical evaluations. Decision-making authority is shared across federal and cantonal bodies.
What’s Next:
Development of a more unified legal framework is under consultation, aimed at enabling broader-scale deployments and clarifying data and liability obligations.
The UK has passed the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, establishing one of the most detailed national AV frameworks worldwide. It outlines approval, authorisation, operator licensing, and in‑use regulation, with the aim of allowing self‑driving vehicles on public roads as soon as safety is demonstrated and authorisation granted. Trials have been under way for years, and the new act codifies liability frameworks and safety obligations.
What’s Next:
Scaling real‑world testing and pilot services through 2026, followed by progressive deployment under the act’s criteria.
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