Mandatory car equipment: what applies in Germany and Europe in 2026?

In brief

• In Germany, first aid supplies to DIN 13164 (§ 35h StVZO), a warning triangle and a hi-vis vest (§ 53a StVZO) are mandatory.
• The DIN 13164:2022 edition mainly adds two medical face masks. Older kits do not need to be replaced – as long as the contents have not expired.
• A missing or expired first aid kit can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to €10; at the periodic roadworthiness inspection (HU) it counts as a minor defect.
• For company vehicles, DGUV Regulation 70 requires an inspection at least once a year – the first aid kit and hi-vis vest are part of it.
• Poland is planning a first aid kit requirement for cars first registered after 31 March 2027 (draft, as of October 2026).

Germany: first aid kit under § 35h StVZO

Under the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), cars must carry first aid supplies that comply with DIN 13164 – in a container that protects them from dust and moisture. The legal text cites the 1998 and 2014 editions; according to ADAC (Germany's largest motoring club), the Federal Ministry of Transport also accepts the February 2022 edition. New in this edition are two medical face masks.

Shelf life: sterile components have an expiry date. Once it has passed, the contents no longer comply with the standard. Our trade customers receive first aid supplies with at least 5 years' shelf life from the order date.

Consequences: at a roadside check, an on-the-spot fine of up to €10 may be imposed; at the HU, a missing, incomplete or expired first aid kit is recorded as a minor defect.

Germany: warning triangle and hi-vis vest under § 53a StVZO

• Warning triangle in cars and vehicles up to 3.5 t; above that, a warning lamp is required in addition.
• One hi-vis vest in cars, lorries, tractor units and buses – to EN 471 or EN ISO 20471:2013. If it is missing, the fine is €15.
• For the warning triangle, look for the “27R” approval mark (ECE R27).

Fleets: annual UVV inspection

Under DGUV Regulation 70 § 57 (German statutory accident insurance rules for vehicles), vehicles must be inspected by a competent person “as required, but at least once a year”. The first aid kit and hi-vis vest must be present and in perfect condition; responsibility lies with the employer. A long shelf life saves real money here: using supplies with 5+ years of remaining shelf life means replacing them less often.

Country overview (cars)

Country	First aid kit	Warning triangle	Hi-vis vest
Germany	Mandatory (DIN 13164)	Mandatory	Mandatory (1 vest)
Austria	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory, must be worn when getting out
Czech Republic	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory
Poland	Planned for new registrations from 31 March 2027 (draft)	Mandatory	Not required
France	Not required	Mandatory	Mandatory (on board)
Italy	Not required	Mandatory	Must be worn when getting out outside built-up areas
Spain	Not required	Replaced by the connected V16 warning light for Spanish vehicles since 1 January 2026	Mandatory
Netherlands	Not required	Not required	Not required

Rules change – please check the current requirements before travelling or deploying fleet vehicles.

Poland: first aid kit requirement planned from 2027

A draft regulation from the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure dated 10 July 2026 provides for an “apteczka doraźnej pomocy” (emergency first aid kit) in cars first registered after 31 March 2027. In its explanatory memorandum, the draft cites DIN 13164 as a reference. This affects around 650,000 new cars a year. Status: draft – we will update this page as soon as the regulation is adopted. For car dealerships in Poland, it pays to prepare now: logo-printed first aid kits for vehicle handovers.

Is my old first aid kit still valid?

Yes, if it complies with DIN 13164 (1998, 2014 or 2022), is complete and nothing has expired. Expired sterile items can be replaced with a refill set.