Tesla aims to secure EU approval for its ‘Full Self-Driving’ (FSD) assistance system in Europe next year. As part of its rollout, the company will host FSD demonstration rides in Germany, Italy, and France next month, marking progress toward introducing the technology across the continent.
The automaker stated that although Tesla drivers worldwide have covered more than ten billion kilometers using the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capability, the technology is arriving in Europe for the very first time.
New details about the approval procedure surfaced this week. Tesla announced on X that the Dutch regulator RDW has agreed to consider granting approval for FSD functions in the Netherlands by February 2026.
RDW later confirmed that it had aligned with Tesla on this schedule but emphasized that the company must prove by then that FSD Supervised complies with all regulatory requirements.
If the system fails to meet the standards, approval will be denied.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has criticized the slow pace of Europe’s approval process for the company’s advanced driver-assistance functions, arguing that the technology already outperforms human drivers in both intelligence and safety. He has called the delays ‘very frustrating’ and said they ultimately reduce road safety for Europeans.
The FSD system is designed to guide a Tesla along any chosen route, interpreting traffic signs and interacting with other vehicles.
However, it is not fully autonomous—drivers must remain attentive while the feature is active. In a recent statement, Tesla reiterated its commitment to a vision-only strategy, avoiding reliance on costly sensors or high-definition maps.
According to Tesla, the system works much like a person driving with their eyes and brain. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) relies entirely on visual input and powerful onboard computing. The company says this keeps costs down for buyers and enables future improvements.
The EU applies far stricter detailed rules for authorizing new vehicle technologies before they can be deployed. Tesla has indicated that once the Netherlands grants an exemption and approves its FSD system, other European countries could adopt it afterward.
Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is already offered in Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. Tesla anticipates rolling out the system in Europe by early 2026.
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