Where is Uber banned (list of countries and cities)
For as long as ride-hailing services have existed, they have been in conflict with the law in several countries, almost when they were introduced.
Specifically, Uber is the clearest example of this, and if you’re wondering where it got banned, here’s what you need to know!
Where will Uber be banned in 2022?
Despite claims by many sources, Uber is not banned in many places in 2022. In many areas that were previously outlawed, Uber has been re-entering the market over the past few years, either by pushing aggressively or by changing policies to fit the law. In other areas, it pulled out because regulations made it harder to operate.
Read on to find out where Uber was banned, including where it was completely unusable, where it had to change its core business model for legal reasons, and more!
1. Bulgaria
In 2015, Uber suspended operations in Bulgaria after a court ruled that its business practices were unfair.
At the time, it was less than a year old and launched only in the city of Sofia.
According to the court ruling, Uber’s existence was declared illegal, and it had to register as a taxi service if it wanted to return.
In response, the company suspended operations. Initially, Uber showed signs of wanting to resume operations in Bulgaria in the future, but has yet to do so.
Uber Bulgaria still has a dedicated section on its website, but a small piece of text at the top of the page says it doesn’t work.
Instead, it says users in the region should see it as a way to book rides when traveling to other countries.
Likewise, Uber has a main office in Sofia, and its team of engineers appear to be working on the service, but serving other markets.
2. Denmark
Uber left Denmark in 2017, less than three years after launching in the country, under stricter oversight by the authorities.
In this case, new taxi laws require vehicles to be equipped with meters and seat sensors, which Uber must comply with.
At the time, the company had said it had grown to more than 2,000 drivers and 300,000 passengers, but it opted out of the market.
Before the rule went into effect, Uber had already been outlawed and faced separate charges for helping drivers break the law.
A preliminary statement after the fact indicated that the company’s position was a willingness to work with the government to reach a compromise.
However, this never happened and the service is still unavailable in the region years later.
As in Bulgaria, there is still an Uber Denmark section on the site, but it also tells tourists that they can only use Uber to book rides when traveling abroad.
In addition, there is an office in the city of Aarhus, which opened before the service was launched, and is still in operation, focusing on global business.
3. Hungary
In 2016, the Hungarian government passed a law that effectively made it impossible for Uber to operate in the region.
Under the law, the National Communications Authority can block Internet access to “illegal dispatch services.”
That meant users couldn’t use the app to book rides, and the service stopped as a result.
In response, Uber issued a statement clarifying that it was technically not a ban, but a complete withdrawal from the market and never coming back.
The move comes after a backlash from taxi drivers, who want Uber to hold them to the same standards.
4. Greece
In 2018, Uber suspended operations in Athens over a new law that violated its established business model.
Regulators required rides to start in designated areas, which the ride-hailing company did not offer, so it responded by shutting down UberX in the area.
Today, UberX is still not back in the city, the only thing you can take is a traditional taxi, which you can book through the app.
The system works similarly to UberTaxi in New York City or Uber Cab in Chicago.
5. Germany
When Uber launched in Germany, it encountered so many regulatory issues that it was banned outright on more than one occasion.
As the company saw potential in the market, it kept trying different ways of doing business after a brief hiatus.
Due to these regulations, most common ride options offered in other regions are not available in Germany.
In the end, the service as we know it is still illegal, but the company has found a different way to operate.
Instead of approving and processing drivers itself, Uber acts as a middleman for another company called Ennoo.
Ennoo is a private car rental service that provides drivers and vehicles for providing rides to users, including:
- comfortable – Spacious rides in limousines that can accommodate up to 4 riders and are the only ride options similar to the company’s common rides
- Uber Ukraine – Rides are subject to a surcharge of EUR 1 from the International Rescue Committee
- Taxi Wheelchair – Wheelchair accessible taxi for up to 4 passengers
- taxi– Taxi for up to 6 passengers
6. Turkey
As in Germany, Uber faced backlash from the authorities in Turkey and had to abandon its core business model.
Most notably, Turkey’s president at one point said the company was “finished” when it fought taxi drivers in court.
After years of regulatory turmoil, the service has finally launched, and the only option is to take a traditional taxi.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on Uber XL, Uber Blue, and Uber Rent.
in conclusion
Uber isn’t actually banned in many places these days, but in some places its business model is illegal, so the company either suspends service or revamps operations.
Some of the markets Uber pulled out of after it was declared illegal included Bulgaria and Hungary. Some of the markets where it has had to overhaul its business model include Turkey, Athens and Germany.
