Lisbon’s shared e-scooters may soon disappear from its hills. On 15 October, Mayor Carlos Moedas said he will ask the city council to suspend the service straight away. Operators would get 60 days to remove their scooters.
What’s happening
The proposal goes to a council vote on 21 October 2026. Moedas’s coalition has a majority, so it is likely to pass, but nothing has changed yet. Until now, his administration had defended scooters and only tightened the rules. Since 2023, scooters have been limited to 20 km/h, barred from gardens and pedestrian areas, and allowed to park only in marked bays.
The move comes after pressure from the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP). In September it said it had collected around 20,000 signatures for a local referendum on ending shared scooters. If the suspension goes through, that referendum may never happen. Lisbon would join other cities, such as Madrid and Braga, that have already removed shared scooters, and Brussels plans to follow in early 2027.
What it means for your weekend
If the vote passes, scooters from Bird, Bolt and Lime could stay on the streets for up to 60 days, which takes them to around late December. After that, plan to get around Lisbon without them. The proposal covers shared e-scooters only. It doesn’t touch the trams, the metro or the city’s GIRA bike-share. GIRA doesn’t cover the whole city, though, so check the map in its app before you rely on it.
That’s no great loss for most visitors. Lisbon’s steep cobbles and tram tracks were never ideal for scooters, and the centre is compact enough to walk.
What to do
- Plan routes around the metro, trams 28 and 15, and the funiculars. Walk between neighbouring areas such as Chiado and Bairro Alto.
- Download the GIRA app if you want to cycle, and stick to the flatter riverside.
- Check local news after 21 October for the final decision and the removal date.
Our Lisbon weekend guide has a two-day route that works on foot and by tram. For more ideas, see best city breaks in Europe.
