Lime e-scooters have returned to Brussels — thanks to an anonymous company that offered to transfer its license to Lime.

Approximately 6,000 scooters owned by American company Lime were booted off the streets last week when its license expired. The move followed a Belgian Council of State ruling that upheld the region’s previous decision to only allow Bolt, Dott and Voi to operate in Brussels.

But another rental company offered to transfer its license to Lime in “a remarkable show of industry solidarity,” Lime, which has a partnership with Uber, announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt said rental scooter numbers were limited for the safety and comfort of all road users.

“It is ironic that Uber/Lime is using its army of lawyers to challenge a regulation expressly requested by the sector. Uber/Lime is now using all legal means, but the system can only work if everyone plays by the rules,” she told POLITICO.

The gesture from the unnamed competitor allows Lime, one of the largest e-mobility operators in the world, to function in Brussels until December 5, when that license expires.

“This allows us to secure the jobs of more than 100 people in Brussels for the next five months, offering stability to them and their families during a period of legal uncertainty,” said Lime’s regional director in Belgium and Northern Europe.

The e-scooter saga dates back to 2023, when Brussels announced it would downsize the total number of vehicles in the city from 20,000 to 8,000, citing a lack of regulations and safety problems. It followed a complete ban on e-scooters in Paris and restrictions in other European cities including Vienna and Barcelona.

After a tender process, Brussels chose Bolt, Dott and Voi in 2023 as the only permitted operators in the city. However, Lime contested the decision, citing a lack of transparency. The company is still awaiting a final verdict on its challenge.

In February 2025, the Brussels authorities restricted the permitted operators to Bolt and Dott. Lime and Voi were allowed to operate until their license expired — July 3 for Lime, Aug. 23 for Voi.

Lime is now also suing Brussels for not providing an interim solution, and claims the city could be liable for million of euros in compensation.