Germany Confirms December EU Vote on Tesla FSD Approval

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Transport has confirmed that a decisive vote on the European Union-wide recognition of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system is scheduled for December 2026, following a delay from the originally planned October 6 date.

What Happened

The confirmation emerged from correspondence shared by @TeslaDE195932, which included a response from the ministry’s citizen service division. The ministry stated that the Technical Committee – Motor Vehicles (TCMV) will conduct further consultations on October 6 before proceeding to the December vote. Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is currently engaged in direct discussions with the Dutch vehicle authority, RDW, and Tesla to review technical data. The RDW previously facilitated FSD’s initial entry into Europe this spring. While German regulators acknowledged the system’s capability in complex city driving, they expressed specific reservations regarding its 'Speed Offset' feature, noting instances where the vehicle automatically exceeds posted speed limits by up to 50%. Additionally, officials are reviewing the appropriateness of operating such driver-assistance features on dense inner-city streets and reiterated that liability for any malfunction or incident remains entirely with the driver, consistent with the system’s SAE Level 2 classification.

Why It Matters

Germany’s stance is significant given its position as Europe’s largest automotive market and its influence on regulatory standards across the bloc. The concerns raised mirror those voiced by Sweden, France, and Croatia, as well as road safety organizations like the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). While Croatia has already approved FSD for public road use despite similar reservations, Sweden is urging the EU to withhold bloc-wide clearance until Tesla ensures strict adherence to speed limits. Meanwhile, localized adoption continues to spread, with eight European nations—including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Estonia—having already granted independent national approvals. Tesla is also reportedly in discussions for approval in Ireland and nearing a decision in Italy, indicating that fragmented national permits may become a viable alternative to a unified EU-wide approval.

The Bottom Line

Germany maintains a technology-open but safety-focused posture, keeping the door open for Tesla’s European expansion through active evaluation of real-world data. The outcome of the December vote will likely determine whether Tesla secures unified regulatory clearance across the EU or continues to rely on a patchwork of national approvals to access key markets.