When Does FSD Come to Europe? What Are the Next Steps After the Dutch Approval

FSD is one of the most fascinating technologies in 2026, and its progressing quickly. While in the US Robotaxis are slowly emerging and unsupervised FSD is highly awaited, Europe is waiting for its first access to the autonomous driving technology. Did I say the whole of Europe? A little country at the English Channel now has gotten the approval for FSD and could quickly change the situation for the whole of Europe.

In our previous deep dive, we explored the roadmap for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Europe. Today, we have a major update: the process in the Netherlands has been completed successfully and will now be handed over to European regulators. Here is Part Two of our FSD Europe status report.

The Dutch Milestone: RDW Hands the Torch to the EU

For the past 18 months, the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) has acted as the lead gatekeeper for Tesla’s FSD application. As of April 2026, the RDW has concluded its primary technical assessment and approved FSD for the Dutch streets.

Under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, Article 39, the RDW is now dispatching the "Dossier" - the massive technical evidence of FSD’s safety - to the European Commission and all EU Member States.

In plain English, Regulation (EU) 2018/858 is the EU’s Rulebook for Car Approvals. If a technology is so new that it doesn't fit the existing rules (like Tesla’s FSD), a Member State can act as a pioneer to get it approved through Article 39 (Exemptions for New Technologies).

This is a critical turning point. It means the "technical sandbox" phase is over, and the "political and regulatory approval" phase has begun. For Tesla owners in Germany, France, and beyond, the clock is officially ticking.

Step-by-Step: How FSD Gets Approved in Europe

The European regulative process is more than complex, so we facilitated the coming steps for you. Here is exactly what needs to happen next and who is responsible at each stage:

Best Case Scenario: Approval without any interference

Of course we are all hoping, that this process is concluded as quickly as possible. The best case scenario would look as follows: 

After the dossier is handed over to member states for the peer review, the data is conclusive and complete. Open questions are answered immediately and satisfactory by either RDW or Tesla.

If the EU member states feel satisfied with the provided data and have no further open questions or requirements for adjustment of a "EU-version" of Tesla's FSD, the approval process will most likely be completed in the above mentioned timeframe.

Potential Roadblocks: Localized Testing

While the RDW is satisfied, other European countries have unique conditions that may require additional proof. The most notable hurdle could be the German KBA (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt).

Why Germany Might Slow Things Down

The Netherlands has a daytime speed limit of 100 km/h. Germany, however, is home to the unrestricted Autobahn, where it is not unlikely that FSD needs to deal with cars approaching with 200 km/h (125 mp/h) or more.

The KBA is likely to insist on specific high-speed testing (130 km/h+) to ensure FSD handles high closure speeds and lane-keeping without "phantom braking." This "German verification" could add a 3-4 month delay to the overall process as Tesla performs localized testing and submits supplemental data.

But not only Germany might cause delays in this matter. Every European country might have specific local conditions they might want to test and verify safety on, like French multi-lane roundabouts or the tight roads of Italian old-towns.

Our German partner Elektro Ronny has reached out to the German KBA and reports in his recent video, that while the KBA avoids making any promises and specific statements, the focus seems to be working towards "acceptance of the system".

Worst Case Scenario: Regulatory Block

If things don't go as smoothly, a regulatory block would be the worst case scenario for Tesla owners in the EU. This would happen, if a majority of states votes against the approval. As this "majority-question" also takes the population of each country into consideration, this means that France, Italy and Germany together have the power to decline the voting and request a change of the "EU-version" of FSD. 

Final Summary: Regulations & Responsibilities

To help you navigate the jargon, here is a final breakdown of the key players and laws that will determine when you can finally let go of the wheel (under supervision!):

What are the Final Delay Estimates?

• Scenario A (Smooth Path): 4–5 months from now (Early Autumn 2026).
• Scenario B (National Reviews): 7–9 months from now (Winter 2026). This happens if Germany or France demand localized verification cycles.
• Scenario C (Regulatory Block): 12+ months. This only occurs if a "Blocking Minority" demands major software architecture changes.

Conclusion: The Momentum is Unstoppable

We are closer than ever. The handover to the EU is the starting gun for the final race. While national authorities like the KBA might pull the "emergency brake" for a few months to ensure the system is ready for local conditions, the momentum is now undeniable. Tesla has been preparing for this moment for years, gathering millions of miles of European driving data to satisfy even the toughest regulators. Confidence in the safety of FSD is all that is needed!

Is your Tesla ready for the update of a lifetime? While you wait for the software, make sure your hardware is ready. Check out our Model Y Collection for the best accessories to enhance your (soon-to-be) autonomous driving experience.