Seat belts and child seats by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
Whether seat belts are compulsory, when a child restraint is required and where children may sit in a car. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | Yes | Under 12 and under 150 cm | Restraint duty applies on every belted seat | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Netherlands | Yes | Yes | Under 1.35 m (and under 18) | Allowed in an approved child seat | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes | Until age 12 or 135 cm, whichever first | Allowed; rear-facing seat needs airbag off | No |
| France | Yes | Yes | Under 10 years | Banned under 10, with exceptions | No |
| Spain | Yes | Yes | 135 cm or less | Rear seats; front only in three cases | No |
| Italy | Yes | Yes | Under 1.50 m | No restraint systems: front only if over 1.50 m | No |
| United States | — | — | — | — | — |
| Canada | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mexico | Passenger cars: ⚠ Not yet verified Passenger cars, Federal roads: Compulsory (driver and passengers) | Passenger cars: ⚠ Not yet verified Passenger cars, Federal roads: Compulsory (all passengers) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Passenger cars: ⚠ Not yet verified Passenger cars, Federal roads: Under 7: rear seats only | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ireland | Yes | Yes | Under 150 cm and under 36 kg | Allowed in an appropriate child seat | No |
| Australia | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Set by each state and territory | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Poland | Yes | Yes | Under 150 cm | Only in a child seat | No |
| Portugal | Yes | Yes | Children under 12 years old and under 135 cm in cars with seat belts must be secured in an approved child restraint suited to their size and weight. | Children under 12 and under 135 cm must travel in the rear seat, except: a child under 3 in a rear-facing restraint with the front airbag deactivated, or a child aged 3 or over where the car has no belts in the rear or no rear seat. Children under 3 may not be carried in cars without seat belts. | No |
| Belgium | Yes | Yes | Under 1.35 m (and under 18) | Allowed at any age if fastened | No |
| Sweden | Yes | Yes | Under 135 cm | A child aged 3 or older and shorter than 135 cm may travel without a child restraint only on temporary short journeys, and then must use the seat belt if possible and must not sit in the front seat of a passenger car or light lorry. A child under 3 may travel without a child restraint only in a taxi on a short journey, and then must not sit in the front seat. | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Austria | Yes | Yes | Under 14 and under 135 cm | No age rule for the front seat is stated in § 106 Abs. 5. In vehicles with no belts or restraints, children under 3 may not be carried and children aged 3 or older must sit in the rear. Where an exception to the restraint duty applies, a child may not sit in front without a suitable restraint. | No |
| Greece | Compulsory | Compulsory | ⚠ Not yet verified | Under 12 only in approved restraint | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Switzerland | Belt required where fitted | Belt required where fitted | Under 12 (unless 150 cm or more) | Restraint duty applies on every belted seat | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Denmark | Required where a belt is fitted | Required where a belt is fitted | Under 135 cm | Rear seat only if no belted seats (age 3+) | No |
| Hungary | Belt compulsory where fitted | Belt compulsory where fitted | Under 150 cm (135 cm in rear if belt fits) | Rear-facing front only if airbag off or absent | Not allowed with active airbag |
| Finland | Required where a belt is fitted | Required where a belt is fitted | Under 135 cm | The only front-seat rule found is in the taxi exception: where no restraint is available, a child under 135 cm may be carried in a taxi using the belt, but not on the front seat (children under 3 never without a restraint). | No |
| Norway | Belt required; fee if not worn | Belt required; fee if not worn | Under 135 cm always; 135-150 cm if available | Children shorter than 140 cm should not sit in a front seat with an airbag that has not been switched off (stated as advice). In cars without seat belts, children under 3 may not be carried and children over 3 may not sit in the front seat. | Forbidden in front seat with active airbag |
| New Zealand | Yes | Yes | Approved restraint under 7; belt from 8 | Restrained under-15s may sit in front | ⚠ Not yet verified |
How to read the comparison
The table compares these points:
- Seat belt compulsory in front seats
- Seat belt compulsory in rear seats
- Child restraint required until
- Children in the front seat
- Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules, and for the United States, Canada and Mexico also state or provincial rules where the topic is set regionally. Other regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.