Waymo expands: Beyond US city limits
Waymo, Google’s autonomous driving arm, has been operating its robotaxis in major American cities such as San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin. In 2026, the company extended its reach to include Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Nashville. The strategy is clear—Waymo isn’t content to limit its self-driving technology to the United States.
Recently, Waymo registered four new European subsidiaries, setting sights on Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. It’s the company’s first tangible step toward putting self-driving taxis on European roads. While the ambition is growing, significant legal and regulatory steps remain before a Waymo can pick you up outside a Paris café or in the heart of Berlin.
London: Europe’s expected first Waymo hub
Earlier this year, Waymo announced its intention to roll out its autonomous taxi service in London, reportedly starting in September 2026. If all goes as planned, this would mark Waymo's debut service outside the United States, shifting its robotaxi operations to European streets for the first time.
France and the rest of Europe: What comes next?
Progress is underway, but catching a Waymo in Paris or other European capitals won’t happen overnight. According to industry publication The Road to Autonomy and recent developments, the adoption of United Nations guidelines on autonomous driving has accelerated momentum for Waymo’s European push. Four dedicated companies were officially registered in the past month—one for each of the debut markets. But the road ahead still contains some required stops.
Every participating country must first adopt the new UN framework into its own national laws. Before customer rides can take place, Waymo vehicles will be driven with human operators to collect critical data and demonstrate safety. Only after gaining final local regulatory approvals will Waymo’s driverless taxi service become a true alternative to traditional taxis and ride-hailing services.
When can you ride a robotaxi in France?
So when could Parisians and others expect their first legally approved, driverless Waymo ride? According to current plans and regulatory outlooks, Google’s autonomous taxi service might launch in France and the other target countries around the beginning of 2027—once the required legal groundwork and testing are completed. While there’s still a wait ahead, the transition from US pilots to navigating European boulevards is clearly well underway.
Get ready—the robotaxis are on their way. And this time, you might not need to tip the driver!
