Waymo Targets Munich Launch as EU Expansion Accelerates

Waymo announced in a blog post Tuesday its intention to launch a robotaxi service in Munich, marking its first commercial entry into the European Union. According to TechCrunch, the company expects to open ride-hailing to the public by the end of 2027, provided it clears regulatory hurdles and obtains necessary permits.

Waymo's strategy involves a phased rollout: manually mapping Munich's streets, conducting tests with human safety drivers, and eventually offering limited service before a full public launch. TechCrunch reports that Waymo is currently coordinating with local, state, and Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).

Germany represents a strategic entry point due to legislation passed over five years ago that established a legal framework for Level 4 autonomous driving—a designation where the system handles all driving without human intervention in specific environments. TechCrunch notes that while companies like Volkswagen and Mobileye hold permits in Germany, and startups such as Autobrains and Wayve hold Level 3 permits, Waymo does not currently possess any permits in the country.

Beyond Germany, Waymo is aggressively scaling its European presence. Engadget reports that the company established subsidiaries in June across France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. Additionally, Waymo confirmed to Zag Daily that it has registered a subsidiary in Switzerland.

Waymo is also targeting the U.K. market. According to Engadget, the company's goal is to provide public rides in London as early as next month, though TechCrunch indicates a more general objective to begin commercial service there in 2026. This puts Waymo in direct competition with Wayve and its partner Uber, as well as Baidu, which is testing vehicles in London through partnerships with Freenow and Lyft.