E-bikes and speed pedelecs in Austria (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: An electrically assisted cycle up to 250 W and 25 km/h is a bicycle under Austrian law, with no licence, plate or insurance. A faster or stronger one is a Motorfahrrad needing licence class AM, a plate and insurance.

RuleWhat applies
Legal classRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)Bicycle rules [1]
Assistance stops atRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)up to 25 km/h (design speed) [1]
Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)12 years. Younger children may ride a bicycle only under the supervision of a person aged 16 or over, or with a permit from the authority. [2]
HelmetRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)Required for persons under 14 on an e-bike. Children under 12 must wear a helmet on any bicycle. [2]
LicenceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)No driving licence needed. [1]
Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)No registration plate and no compulsory motor third-party insurance. [1]
Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W)Bicycle rules apply: where a cycle facility exists, single-track bicycles without a trailer must use it, unless the authority allows a choice. [2]
Legal classRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Moped or motor vehicle rules [1]
Assistance stops atRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)⚠ Not yet verified
Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)15 years (licence class AM). [3]
HelmetRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Required for the rider and any passenger (rule for a Kraftrad). [1]
LicenceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Driving licence class AM is needed. [3]
Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)Registration with an official plate (Kennzeichen) and compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. [1]
Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h)⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Section 1(2a) KFG sets a rated continuous power of at most 250 W and a design speed of at most 25 km/h, and excludes vehicles of class L1e-B.
  • Section 68(6) StVO sets the duty for persons under 14 on an e-bike and children under 12 on any bicycle. It sets no duty for older riders.
  • Section 1(2a) KFG says these cycles are not Kraftfahrzeuge. The licence, plate and insurance rules of the FSG and KFG apply to Kraftfahrzeuge.
  • A cycle above 250 W or 25 km/h is not a bicycle (section 1(2a) KFG); class L1e-B is excluded by section 2 no. 22 StVO. A Kraftrad up to 45 km/h design speed, or of class L1e, is a Motorfahrrad (section 2 no. 14 KFG).
  • The assistance limit of this class follows from EU type-approval rules, which were not read for this round.
  • No provision on cycle paths for motor vehicles of this class was found in the pages read.

Sources

  1. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes): RIS - Kraftfahrgesetz 1967 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, Fassung vom 30.10.2026 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes): RIS - Straßenverkehrsordnung 1960 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, Fassung vom 30.10.2026 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundeskanzleramt (RIS, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes): RIS - Führerscheingesetz - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, Fassung vom 30.10.2026 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.