Compulsory child safety seats – an important legal requirement to ensure traffic safety for children, not only in germany. Babies and toddlers in particular would be especially at risk if there were no appropriate rules and regulations for the use of child seats in cars. In this day and age, children should no longer be taken in the car without a child seat. Enjoy reading the article on mandatory child safety seats in our child safety seat guide.
Compulsory child seat
Child seat regulations are extremely important. rules and regulations ensure road safety for all road users. In this regard, many parents ask themselves from and until when they must use a child seat as part of the mandatory child seat law in germany, denmark, france, italy, croatia, austria, slovenia, spain, the czech republic and hungary. Find out more about the compulsory use of child safety seats in germany and the regulations that apply in other european countries. We also address the question of when mandatory child safety seats were introduced.
compulsory child safety seat in germany
In 1993 the compulsory child seat was introduced by law in germany. Parents who do not want to violate the law and want to transport their child safely in a suitable child seat in the car should familiarize themselves with the legal regulations and requirements relating to child car seats.
the compulsory use of child safety seats in germany is laid down in the law in § 21 abs. 1 a of the road traffic regulations (stvo). According to this regulation, children must be seated in a child seat until they are 12 years old. children must be secured in a child restraint device (child seat) in the car until they reach the age of 12 or until they reach a height of 1.50 meters. The child seat must also be suitable for the weight and size of the child.
The 12. age is reached when the child has reached the age of 12. Birthday celebrations. Accordingly, children up to the age of 12 or a height of 1.50 meters must be secured in a child safety seat in accordance with the regulations on compulsory child safety seats. Only if one of the children mentioned in § 21 abs. 1 stvo listed criteria (older than 12 years or over 1.50 meters tall) is met, a child may be taken in the car without a child seat.
for more information about the compulsory use of reboarder seats, please read my articles on reboarder child seats or child seats from birth onwards.
Compulsory child seat in bavaria
there is no separate child seat obligation in bavaria in germany. The road traffic act (stvg) is a federal law. The regulations listed in this article on the compulsory use of child seats in germany therefore also apply to the state of Bavaria.
Child seat standard
In europe, a child seat is only approved for use in vehicles if it has a valid test seal. The respective child seat standard can be recognized by the ECE test seal attached to the child seat.
It is important to note that the test standard for a child seat only specifies a minimum standard. However, there can be significant differences in safety and handling among approved child seats.
Currently there are three valid types of child seat standard. The i-size (UN ECE reg. 129, published in three phases and valid since 2013, 2017 and 2019), UN ECE reg. 44/03 (valid since 1995) and 44/04 (valid since 2005). While the standard UN ECE reg. 44 which divides child seats into firmly defined weight classes, the most recent standard is i-size (UN ECE reg. 129) on the size of the child. The decisive factor here is the manufacturer’s specification, which can determine the size range for the child seats independently.
Child seats according to the child seat standard UN ECE reg. 44/01 and 44/02 may no longer be used according to the legal regulations.
compulsory child seat denmark
Up to the age of 3, children must be transported in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size. In addition, the passenger airbag must be deactivated in the passenger seat when the vehicle is being transported in reverse. Children smaller than 1.35 meters and older than 3 years must be secured in an approved child seat in the back seat.
Child seat obligation france
In france, children up to the age of ten need a child seat adapted to their weight and size as part of the regulations on compulsory child seats. For babies, this means the use of a seat with the back facing the direction of travel. In france, the use of a suitable child seat is compulsory for children between 9 months and 4 years of age. A booster seat is mandatory in the child seat regulations for children up to 10 years of age.
compulsory use of a child seat in greece
The child seat obligation in greece stipulates that children under 3 years of age must be secured in a child seat. From the age of 3 to 11 years and a height of less than 1.35 meters, they must be transported in a child seat that is suitable for their age, weight and size. From the age of 12. after the child reaches the age of 1.35 meters, it can be secured with the car seat belt. The regulations listed here regarding the compulsory use of child seats also apply to the Mediterranean islands of Crete, Corfu and Rhodes, which belong to Greece.
Compulsory child seat in italy
In italy, children under 9 kilos must be transported in a rear-facing child seat. Children between 9 and 36 kilos and less than 1.50 meters must be transported in a child seat adapted to their weight and size. In order to prevent children from being forgotten in the vehicle, child seats in italy must be equipped with an alarm signal from the middle of 2019 onwards. According to the child seat obligation in italy, this applies exclusively to vehicles registered in italy. The regulations concerning the compulsory use of child seats in italy are also valid for south tyrol.
compulsory child seats croatia
Children up to a height of 1.50 meters must be secured with a child seat. If the children are older, they must be secured using the safety belt and a booster seat. Children under the age of twelve are not allowed on motorcycles.
compulsory use of child seats in the netherlands
In holland, the child seat obligation stipulates that children must be secured in a child seat when they reach the age of 18. have not yet reached the age of 18 and are shorter than 1.35 meters. In the netherlands, the child seat must at least comply with the child seat standard ECE 44/03. In addition, the child seat obligation in the netherlands stipulates that the use of rear-facing infant carriers and child seats in the front seat is only permitted in vehicles with a passenger airbag if the airbag has been deactivated.
Compulsory child seats in austria
In austria, new rules on child safety in the car have been in force since march 2019. The austrian law contains the following new regulations on compulsory child safety seats in austria.
For children over 1.35 meters tall, it is sufficient to secure them in the car with the standard three-point belt. the legal reduction in height from 1.50 to 1.35 meters may expose children to danger in the car. In order to ensure optimum belt routing, a booster seat with backrest should be used in accordance with the regulations on compulsory child seats in germany. Countries such as croatia, switzerland, spain, slovenia and hungary also require child safety seats for children up to 1.50 meters tall.
In austria, children up to the age of 14 and less than 1.35 meters tall must be secured in a child seat that is suitable for the weight and size of the child.
Mandatory child seat in portugal
The compulsory use of child seats in portugal provides for the following regulations for the carriage of children in cars. If the children are under 1.35 meters and have not yet reached the age of 12, they may only be taken in a suitable child seat in portugal. Children up to the age of 3 are allowed in the front seat. Children under 1.50 meters must be transported in a rear-facing child seat with the airbag deactivated.
Mandatory child seats in switzerland
In switzerland, children up to the age of twelve or a height of 1.50 meters must be transported in a child seat that is suitable for them.
Regulations slovenia
In slovenia, a child seat adapted to the weight and size of the child must be available for children under 1.50 meters in height.
Child seat obligation spain
The child seat obligation in spain stipulates that a child may only sit in the front seat of a car if it is older than 12 years and taller than 1.35 meters. In spain, children who sit in the back seat and do not reach the height of 1.35 meters must be secured with a suitable child seat or booster seat. The regulations on compulsory child safety seats in spain also apply to mallorca as a vacation destination.
Requirement in the czech republic
The compulsory child seat in the czech republic stipulates that children under 36 kilograms and 1.50 meters tall must use a child seat that is suitable for their weight and height.
Regulations in hungary
Children under 1.50 meters must be transported in a child restraint system. If the child is transported on the front passenger seat in a rear-facing child seat, the airbag of the front passenger seat must be deactivated. If a child of at least 1.50 meters rides in the back seat, the safety belt is sufficient.
From when without a child seat in germany
What happens if one of the criteria listed in the stvo (older than 12 years or over 1.50 meters tall) is met and therefore the statutory child seat requirement in germany no longer applies. Parents are then faced with the decision of whether the child should be secured in a child seat for even longer. This is especially useful if the child is older than 12 years, but smaller than 1.50 meters and the safety belt of the car does not run optimally. For older children, a booster seat with a backrest offers optimum protection. ECE approval for booster seats is limited to 36 kilograms. According to information from the bundesanstalt fur strabenwesen, the so-called booster seats can also be used for children with a body weight of over 36 kilograms. The weight limitation within the framework of the ECE approval is exclusively for technical reasons during testing.
A booster seat with back support is particularly suitable for larger children, as the shoulder belt guidance including head support is optimally ensured. booster seats without back support meet the minimum legal requirements. For safety reasons, however, they should only be used in exceptional cases. The missing back support can cause serious injuries in case of an accident. Before use, always familiarize yourself with the operating instructions and the manual of the vehicle. This is the only way to ensure correct use.
We wish all readers in advance a nice vacation in 2022. Under consideration of the child seat duty the vacation in denmark, croatia, italy, france, greece, netherlands, austria, portugal, switzerland, slovenia, spain, croatia or hungary hopefully soon enjoy again.
Safe child seat
And are you looking for the best child seat. You can find these in the following articles child seat from birth, child seat from 1 year or child seat swivel – reboarder up to 4 years. For the child seat from 4 years is the contribution child seat raiser very helpful. Here you can find the best child seats. The selection of the child seats for the inclusion in the contributions is based on the overall scores in the child seat test of the ADAC.
Maxi-cosi titan child car seat 9-36 kg with isofix and reclining position, usable from 9 mon. Until 12 Y.
2 new from 229,90€
as of january 30, 2022 6:42 am
- A child seat for several age groups from 9 months to 12 years (about 9 – 36 kg)
- The simple and easy adjustable headrest grows in 11 steps to fit your little one.
- Solid ISOFIX and top tether connection to the vehicle ensure high stability even then.
- The child car seat has five comfortable sitting and resting positions, from sitting upright to lying down.
You can also find a detailed test of child safety seats on parent-abc.De/child-seat-test/.
15 answers to "mandatory child safety seat
Great overview! I did not know that the regulations have changed in austria. I just don’t understand what the politicians have in mind here. Would have been better, they would have left it at 1.50 m.
greetings, simone
Hello simone, thank you. With such an important topic I would have wished also a uniform regulation to the child seat obligation. The regulations in the individual countries go there already far apart. In contrast to the child seat obligation in germany it seems to be handled more generously in austria. It seems that the responsibility is given into the hands of the parents. In italy, however, the child seat alarm was anchored in law. The child seat with alarm is now compulsory to prevent children from being forgotten in the car. Digitalization does not stop at the child seat either. Stay healthy and hope soon vacation trips are possible again. No matter if denmark, italy, croatia, austria, switzerland, slovenia, spain, czech republic, please remember the child seat regulations. Your team from the child seat advisor.
Servus blackhead, welcome to the child seat adviser. After the situation around corona has calmed down again, the summer vacations can be used for traveling again. A trip to italy, spain, bavaria, denmark, south tyrol or within germany is in compliance with the child seat obligation nothing more in the way. You can find the information in my article about the child seat obligation. Have fun and a nice vacation.
Hello tobias,
thank you very much for your contribution! I came to you looking for the guidelines to czech republic because we live in the border area. My big kid doesn’t think it’s so funny that he, at 1.48m, should be in a child seat&
kind regards
sandra
Hi sandra,
welcome to our child seat guide. We are pleased that you have found the appropriate regulations for the child seat obligation on our guide. Especially in the border area you can unfortunately quickly be confronted with different regulations about the child seat obligation. And Germany borders on 9 countries. That is quite a lot. In detail that would be belgium, denmark, france, luxembourg, austria, poland, switzerland and czech republic. Then we hope quickly to reach the last 2 centimeters. From then on, driving without child seats is permitted. Greetings tobias
What about children who are just under 150cm tall but already have more than 36 kg (this will also affect the majority of children, a child with 149cm and 36kg is already very thin). Child seats have a maximum permissible weight of up to 36 kg.
These rules are more than ridiculous. It must be simply examined whether the restraint system is suitable for the respective child.
If the normal 3 point belt fits the child well (does not run on the neck) then this must be sufficient.
Servus thomas, welcome to our child seat guide and thank you for your comment. Of course, there are children under 1.50 meters who weigh more than 36 kilograms. I think it will be but a minority act.
Laws are usually not enacted without reason and in many cases even have a protective function. With reference to the legal requirements for child seats, children over 36 kilograms must continue to be secured in a restraint device (child seat) until they reach the height of 1.50 meters. In the end, it is not the child seat that holds the child, but the vehicle’s seat belt. For this it requires but an optimal fit of the car belt. In this context, the legislator will have taken sufficient account of the fact that, as a rule, the belt only offers sufficient protection above a body height of 1.50 meters.
to your statement "child seats have a maximum permissible weight of up to 36 kg." I would like to respond as follows. The child seat standard ECE R44/04 regulates the approval of child seats and specifies the maximum weight (36 kg) of the test dummies to be used. That is, the child seats are and must be tested only up to a maximum weight of 36 kg. From a purely technical point of view, a group 2/3 child seat can also be used with a weight of over 36 kilograms. You can also find corresponding statements on the internet from experts or child seat manufacturers. Why should the child seat no longer be safe even if the weight is slightly exceeded?. And by law you are finally obliged to use a child seat up to the height of 1.50 meters.
I personally find the regulations for the child seat obligation in Germany very good. Probably it would have been more meaningful to increase the maximum weight of the dummies in the standard ECE R 44 to 37 or 38 kilograms. I agree with you. I will secure my daughter if necessary but when it is so far, rather a little longer over the child seat. In my opinion, this ensures that the belt runs optimally. And after about eight years of protection in the child seat of the group 2/3 the few weeks do not matter now also more.
Have a nice time and I wish all readers a nice vacation. Have a good time in bavaria, germany, austria, croatia, spain, italy, hungary, czech republic, south tyrol, mallorca or denmark.