Tesla FSD Approval in Europe: Delayed Again – What’s Really Happening?

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature has hit another roadblock in its journey to European roads. Despite completing all vehicle testing for FSD (Supervised) in the Netherlands, the expected approval date has slipped once more—from March 20 to April 10, 2026. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments and what they mean for Tesla owners and fans in Europe.

Testing Complete, But Approval Still Pending

Tesla Europe announced that it has finished the final vehicle testing phase with the Dutch road authority (RDW) and submitted all required documentation for UN R-171 approval. However, the RDW is still reviewing the results, and the new target date for approval is now April 10. This is a delay from the previously promised March 20 date, which CEO Elon Musk had publicized—despite RDW’s earlier caution that no approval was guaranteed.

Tesla has logged impressive numbers: over 1.6 million kilometers of FSD testing on EU roads, 13,000+ customer ride-alongs, and thousands of pages of compliance documentation. Once the Netherlands grants approval, other EU countries could recognize it under mutual recognition rules, potentially paving the way for EU-wide approval by summer 2026.

A Pattern of Missed Deadlines

This isn’t the first time European Tesla owners have been told FSD is just around the corner. Promises have slipped from summer 2022, to early 2025, to February 2026, and now to April 2026. Regulators have repeatedly clarified that testing schedules are not the same as approval commitments.

FSD Faces Scrutiny in North America Too

The delay comes as Tesla’s FSD program faces increased scrutiny in the US. The NHTSA recently upgraded its investigation into FSD crashes, focusing on issues like impaired camera visibility. While Tesla claims over 1.1 million FSD users, the actual take rate is only about 12% of all Teslas sold.

Will FSD Approval Matter for Tesla in Europe?

While completing testing is a milestone, European Tesla owners have learned to be skeptical of timelines. Even if FSD is approved, it’s unclear whether it will reverse Tesla’s declining sales in Europe, where registrations fell nearly 28% in 2025 and the trend continues. The bigger challenge may be Tesla’s aging lineup and brand perception, not just regulatory hurdles.

Sources: Electrek article