Waymo’s Madrid plan names Madrid, Alcobendas and Getafe as initial testing areas, with first riders targeted for 2027. On October 20, 2026, the company announced a sequence of manual driving, validation with trained local specialists behind the wheel, and then planned fully autonomous operations. Waymo says it is not yet offering commercial rides.
Where Waymo plans to test
Waymo says its initial tests will take place in Madrid, Alcobendas and Getafe. The company plans to test during the day and at night, typically around the clock, seven days a week.
The company also says it will adapt its automated-driving system to Spanish road conditions, traffic patterns and signs, including signs based on the 1968 Vienna Convention.
The planned route from testing to rides
The first stage is manual driving. Waymo then plans technical validation with trained local specialists behind the wheel, before moving to fully autonomous operations. The company has not given a schedule for those stages; its target for welcoming first riders is 2027.
Waymo says it is working with authorities to secure the permits required for service. Madrid rides are not currently being offered, according to the company.
What the DGT framework covers
The DGT’s Instruction VEH 2025/07 establishes a framework for authorizing and supervising automated-vehicle trials on public roads. The instruction is not an individual Waymo permit or authorization for commercial passenger service. Waymo says it is working with authorities to secure the permits required to operate its service.
Madrid has a separate robotaxi initiative involving Uber, WeRide and AVOMO. NeoTeo’s coverage of that Madrid project describes a different deployment from Waymo’s plan.
Waymo’s statements on sensors and privacy
Waymo says its vehicles use cameras, lidar and radar to provide a 360-degree view, with visibility up to 300 meters. The company says it plans to use collected data to adapt its system to local driving conditions. It also says it does not use facial recognition or other biometric identification to identify people, sell vehicle-collected data or use it for advertising, and says its operations will comply with the GDPR and applicable Spanish privacy laws.
