Would I Buy Tesla FSD Again in Europe? Honest Review + POV Drive (Netherlands)
Would I buy Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised again in Europe, or just subscribe? Honest review after few weeks of use in the Netherlands + POV real-world driving in my Tesla Model 3 Performance. If you’re considering FSD in Europe (Netherlands, Germany, etc.) this video will help you decide! In this video you will see:
- My biggest likes and dislikes with FSD in Europe
- Highway, city, roundabouts & traffic behavior
- Safety impressions and moments that surprised me
- Buy outright vs monthly subscription – my final verdict
- Tips for new FSD users in Europe
Should you buy FSD or subscribe in Europe (pros & cons)?
As of May 2026, the decision to buy or subscribe to Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Europe has become more complex due to recent regulatory shifts and changes in Tesla’s own sales model.
In short: Subscribe. For most European owners, the subscription is currently the better choice because the “Full” version of FSD is still in a provisional rollout phase and its availability varies by country.
The Current Situation in Europe (May 2026)
While FSD (Supervised) is now widely used in North America, Europe is under a Type Approval system.
- Netherlands Approval: In April 2026, the Dutch authority (RDW) granted the first provisional approval for FSD (Supervised). This means it is legally active there, but for the rest of the EU, a wider vote is still pending (expected late summer/autumn 2026).
- Feature Gaps: The European version is more restricted than the US version. You must keep hands on the wheel, and the car is more conservative with speed limits and lane changes to satisfy UNECE safety regulations.
Comparison: Purchase vs. Subscription
| Feature | One-Time Purchase | Monthly Subscription |
| Price (Estimated) | €8,000 (Phasing out) | €99 – €119 |
| Flexibility | Locked to the vehicle. | Cancel or activate any time. |
| Transferability | Generally stays with the car. | Follows your Tesla account. |
| Risk | High (if regulations stall). | Low (pay only when it works). |
| Break-even Point | ~6.5 to 7 years. | N/A |
Why Subscription is Generally Better Right Now
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Since the EU-wide rollout is still being debated in Brussels, buying the full package upfront for €8,000 is a gamble. If you live outside the Netherlands, you might be paying for features you can’t legally use for several more months.
- Purchase Option is Disappearing: Following the US trend, Tesla is moving toward a subscription-only model. As of early 2026, the one-time purchase option has been removed in many markets, making the choice for you.
- The “Vacation” Strategy: Many European owners only find FSD useful for long road trips (e.g., driving from Germany to Italy). With a subscription, you can pay for one month of utility and cancel it for your city commuting where Autopilot suffices.
- Hardware Evolution: If your Tesla has older hardware (HW3), there is still debate about how well it will handle future “Unsupervised” updates. Subscribing ensures you aren’t stuck with an expensive software license on a car that might eventually need a hardware upgrade.
When Should You Buy?
The only scenario where buying makes sense is if you plan to keep the car for more than 7 years like I do and you live in a region (like the Netherlands) where the software is already approved and functional.
Recommendation:
Start with a one-month subscription once it becomes available in your specific country. This allows you to test how the European “Supervised” version handles your local roundabouts and narrow streets before committing thousands of euros.
Feedback
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