Overview
- From 1 January 2026, Next‑Generation eCall using 4G/5G is mandatory for newly developed passenger cars and light vans, with first registrations without NG eCall no longer allowed from 1 January 2027.
- By 19 January 2026, drivers with licences issued between 1999 and 2001 must swap to the EU card format to remain compliant.
- From 7 July 2026, new type approvals for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles require an expanded suite of safety tech, including enhanced automatic emergency braking for pedestrians and cyclists, driver attention warning, intelligent speed assistance, an Alcolock interface and an event data recorder.
- Euro 7 begins applying to newly developed vehicle models on 29 November 2026, tightening pollutant measurements to include ultrafine particles as well as tyre and brake abrasion, with broader application to follow later.
- Fuel CO₂ pricing rises on 1 January 2026, which ADAC estimates could add up to about 3 cents per litre for petrol and more than 3 cents for diesel, while national changes include Austria’s planned camera-based city access controls from May 2026 and Spain’s switch to V16 warning lights on motorways for Spanish‑registered cars.