Clear statements from associations and authorities
The Spanish motorcyclists’ association ANM (Asociación Nacional de Motoristas) has confirmed that there is no legal obligation in Spain to wear airbag vests or jackets when riding a motorcycle. No other EU country, neither France nor Italy, currently has such a regulation in place.
As early as 2021, a draft revision of the Spanish Highway Code included a possible airbag requirement for motorcyclists. At that time, ANM and PMSV (Plataforma Motera para la Seguridad Vial), which together represent over 600,000 motorcyclists, clearly opposed this. Their reasoning: airbag systems are an important innovation for greater safety, but should be recommended rather than mandatory.
Market conditions: low penetration and high prices
Currently, around 3,500 airbag units are sold in Spain each year – a very small proportion given that there are over 6 million motorcyclists. According to the associations, mandatory introduction would lead to shortages and price increases, which could further impede access. The proposal was therefore ultimately withdrawn by the DGT, with the indication that a possible requirement would only be reconsidered once airbag systems were cheaper and more widespread.
Current status 2024: No airbag requirement for private drivers
In July 2024, the ANM reviewed the new draft of the Spanish Highway Code, which is to be adopted by early 2026. The result: Even in the current version, there is no requirement for individual motorcyclists to wear an airbag. Wearing an airbag is currently only mandatory in Spain during training at driving schools. The ANM inquired directly with the DGT management about this – the answer was clear: the rumors about mandatory airbags are “completely false.”
Initiatives to promote airbag systems
FEMA (Fédération Européenne des Associations de Motards) supports the efforts of ANM and PMSV to make certified airbag vests more affordable. One concrete measure is the proposed abolition of VAT on tested airbag systems. The DGT supports this proposal, but the decision lies with the Spanish Ministry of Finance.
FEMA’s position: Voluntary participation and quality instead of coercion
FEMA emphasizes the importance of high-quality, certified airbag systems for greater safety on motorcycles. Cheap and untested products, on the other hand, should be avoided. Nevertheless, the association clearly rejects a legal obligation. Safety should be promoted through education and better accessibility, not enforced by law.
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