January 26, 2026 marks a turning point for Tesla in Spain. For the first time, the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system officially lands in our country with public demonstrations in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Malaga. Reservations sold out in just two hours, making clear the enormous interest that autonomous driving sparks among Spanish consumers.
But here's the reality check: FSD is not commercially available in Europe yet. The demonstrations are just that: controlled tests where you ride as a passenger while a Tesla technician supervises. The commercial launch depends on regulatory approval from the Dutch authority RDW, expected in February 2026.
In this comprehensive analysis, we cover everything you need to know about Tesla FSD in Spain: what it actually is, how much it costs, what it can do today, its real limitations, and how it compares to the competition.
What Is Tesla FSD and How Does It Work?
Full Self-Driving is Tesla's most advanced driver assistance system. Despite its name, it's not 100% autonomous driving. It's a Level 2+ system according to SAE classification, meaning the driver must always be attentive and ready to intervene.
The Technology Behind FSD
Tesla has bet on a radically different approach from its competitors:
- Cameras only: 8 cameras around the vehicle, no LiDAR or radar
- End-to-end AI: Neural networks that process images in real-time
- No HD maps: The system interprets the environment like a human, without relying on pre-recorded maps
- OTA updates: Continuous improvements that arrive via WiFi while you sleep
The current version is FSD v14.2.2 (January 2026), which includes the revolutionary "end-to-end" architecture where a single neural network processes all visual information and makes driving decisions.
Differences Between Tesla Systems
| System | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Autopilot | Included | Adaptive cruise control + lane centering on highway |
| Enhanced Autopilot | €3,800 (discontinued) | + Lane change, Navigate on Autopilot, Autopark |
| FSD (Supervised) | €7,500 purchase / ~€99/month | + Full urban driving, all road types |
The key difference is that FSD can drive on any type of road: highways, secondary roads, urban streets, roundabouts, intersections with traffic lights... basically, door to door.
What FSD Can Do Today (And What It Can't)
After extensively testing FSD and reviewing hundreds of user experiences, these are the system's real capabilities:
What FSD Does Well
- Highway navigation: Automatic lane changes, merging, exits
- Urban driving: Unprotected left turns, traffic lights, crosswalks
- Roundabouts: Handling complex multi-lane roundabouts
- Parking: Improved Autopark that finds spots and parks autonomously
- Parked-to-Parked function: Starts, drives to destination, and parks without intervention
The Real Limitations
- Requires constant supervision: Hands ready on the wheel, eyes on the road
- Issues with motorcycles and bicycles: Inconsistent detection of two-wheeled vehicles
- Frequent interventions: An independent AMCI test revealed interventions every 21 km on average
- Distracted driving not legal: The driver remains 100% legally responsible
What Spanish Journalists Say
Xataka tested FSD in Madrid and reported:
"It's the most advanced semi-autonomous driving system for a passenger car. The car behaved like a secure, conservative driver. It braked for speed bumps and respected speed limits."
ForoCochesElectricos adds:
"The smoothness is particularly impressive. Acceleration, braking, lane positioning... Everything feels human."
Tesla FSD Price in Spain: Is It Worth It?
Here's the elephant in the room: €7,500 for a system you technically can't even use in Europe yet.
Current Payment Options
- One-time purchase: €7,500 - €7,800 (depending on configurator)
- Subscription (USA only for now): $99/month (~€99)
Important Change: Subscription-Only from February 2026
Elon Musk announced that starting February 14, 2026, Tesla will eliminate the one-time purchase option in the United States. The $99/month subscription model will be the only way to access FSD.
There's no confirmation yet that this change applies to Europe, but it will likely follow the same path once FSD becomes commercially available.
Is €7,500 Worth It?
Arguments in favor:
- You receive all future updates included
- Value could increase if Tesla achieves full autonomy
- Significant improvement on long highway trips
Arguments against:
- You can't use full FSD in Europe yet
- €7,500 is the price of a decent used car
- The €99/month subscription might be more flexible
- You're still legally responsible for everything
Our recommendation: Wait for the subscription. You'll be able to test the system without the €7,500 commitment and cancel if it doesn't convince you.
Regulation in Spain: Why FSD Isn't Available
The reason FSD isn't commercially available in Europe comes down to three letters: R79.
The UNECE R79 regulation limits steering assistance systems in ways that effectively make FSD illegal in its most capable form. In Europe, the system must operate in "hands-ready" mode, not "hands-off."
Tesla's Path to Approval
- July 2025: The DGT authorized Tesla to test 19 vehicles with FSD on Spanish public roads
- September 2025: The DCAS Phase 1 regulation came into effect, allowing system-initiated maneuvers on highways
- February 2026: Target date for approval from Dutch authority RDW
If RDW approves FSD, other EU countries can automatically recognize the exemption thanks to the mutual recognition principle. This would open the door to commercial launch in Spain.
Current Spanish Legal Framework
| SAE Level | Status in Spain |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | Permitted |
| Level 2+ (FSD) | Permitted with supervision |
| Level 3 | Approval in progress |
| Level 4-5 | Authorized testing only |
Liability in Case of Accident
This is crucial: with FSD (Level 2), the driver is always responsible. It doesn't matter if the car was on autopilot. If there's an accident, you answer to the law and insurance.
This contrasts with Level 3 systems like Mercedes Drive Pilot, where the manufacturer assumes legal responsibility during autonomous mode.
Tesla FSD vs. Competition in Spain
How does FSD compare to other autonomous driving systems available in Spain?
Mercedes Drive Pilot: The Rival That Gave Up
Bomb news from January 2026: Mercedes has paused its Drive Pilot system. The new Mercedes S-Class (facelift January 29, 2026) will not include this feature. It will be replaced by MB.Drive Assist Pro, a Level 2 system similar to Tesla FSD.
Why did Mercedes abandon Level 3? Homologation costs, speed limitations (maximum 95 km/h), and legal liability made the product commercially unviable.
Comparison Table
| System | SAE Level | Max Speed | Road Type | Hands-Free | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla FSD | 2+ | No limit | All | NO (Europe) | €7,500 |
| Mercedes Drive Pilot | 3 | 95 km/h | Highway only | YES | €6,000-9,000 |
| BMW Personal Pilot | 3+ | 130 km/h | Mapped highway | YES | Included in premium |
| Audi Traffic Jam Pilot | 3 | 60 km/h | Highway (traffic) | YES | Included in A8 |
The Key Technology Difference
- Tesla: Cameras only + AI (no LiDAR)
- Mercedes/BMW/Audi: LiDAR + cameras + HD maps + sensor redundancy
Tesla bets that AI can match or exceed additional hardware. Its competitors believe sensor redundancy is essential for safety. Time will tell who's right.
Safety Statistics: Two Sides of the Coin
Tesla regularly publishes safety data. According to the company, FSD is 10 times safer than manual human driving. But regulators tell a different story.
Tesla Data (Q4 2025)
| Metric | With Autopilot/FSD | Without Autopilot | USA Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Km between accidents | 6.77 million | 963,000 | 700,000 |
| Risk reduction | 10x safer | - | - |
NHTSA Investigation (USA)
The U.S. highway safety agency has an open investigation on FSD affecting 2.88 million Tesla vehicles. They have identified:
- 80 confirmed violations (up from 50 in October)
- Cases of running red lights
- Remaining stationary when the light turns green
- Lane changes into oncoming traffic with little warning
Tesla has until February 23, 2026 to respond to 8,313 additional possible violations.
Kilometers Traveled
- Globally: Over 11 billion km with Autopilot/FSD
- In Europe (testing): Over 1 million km in 17 countries
- 2024 alone: 3.48 billion additional km
Spain Demonstrations: How They Work
If you got a reservation for the January 26 demonstrations, here's what to expect:
Experience Format
- Your role: You ride as a PASSENGER, not driver
- Supervisor: A Tesla technician drives and supervises
- Duration: Brief session on controlled urban circuit
- Locations: Tesla stores in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Malaga
What You'll See
The demonstration is designed to showcase FSD's urban capabilities:
- Navigation through streets with real traffic
- Turns at intersections
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Traffic light and sign handling
Massive Demand
Reservations sold out in 2 hours, according to Tesla Spain. This gives an idea of the massive interest autonomous driving generates in our country.
The Future of FSD in Spain: Expected Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2026 | Start of public demonstrations in Spain |
| February 2026 | RDW (Netherlands) decision on approval |
| February 14, 2026 | FSD becomes subscription-only in USA |
| 2026-2027 | Expected arrival of Level 3 on Spanish highways |
| Late 2026 | Musk's goal: Unsupervised FSD in USA |
What Needs to Happen for Commercial Launch
- RDW approval (February 2026)
- EU mutual recognition of the Dutch exemption
- Software adaptation to meet European regulations
- Certification in each EU country
If everything goes according to Tesla's plan, FSD could be commercially available in Spain during the first half of 2026.
Verdict: Should You Buy FSD Today?
After analyzing all the data, our recommendation is clear:
DON'T buy FSD today if:
- You expect to use it immediately (it's not available in Europe)
- You're concerned about legal liability
- You prefer flexibility (subscription coming soon)
- €7,500 is a significant expense for you
DO consider FSD if:
- You've already decided to buy a Tesla and can wait
- You believe value will increase with full autonomy
- You drive many highway kilometers (Enhanced Autopilot works)
- You want to be among the first when it launches
The Smart Alternative
Wait for the €99/month subscription. You'll be able to:
- Test FSD without €7,500 commitment
- Cancel if it doesn't meet expectations
- Reactivate when features improve
- Save money while Tesla perfects the system
Conclusion: The Self-Driving Car Is Closer Than Ever
Tesla FSD represents the most ambitious attempt to bring autonomous driving to the mass market. With over 11 billion kilometers traveled and constant improvements via software updates, the system gets closer every day to Elon Musk's original promise.
But today's reality is that FSD remains an advanced assistance system, not an autonomous car. The driver must always be attentive, interventions are frequent, and legal responsibility falls 100% on you.
The demonstrations in Spain are an important step, but commercial launch depends on European regulators. If RDW approves the system in February, we could see FSD available for purchase in Spain during 2026.
In the meantime, enjoy basic Autopilot, save your €7,500, and wait for the subscription to arrive in Europe. The future of driving is coming, but there's no rush to pay a premium price for it.
Have you tried Tesla FSD or got a reservation for the demos? Share your experience with us.
