In short: choose a car seat by your child's height (i-Size standard R129), not by age. Your child should travel rear-facing until at least 15 months, ideally until age 4. Under EU rules, children shorter than 150 cm must use a suitable child car seat or booster (some countries allow an adult seat belt from 135 cm). Before you buy, check that the seat fits your car and look at independent test results (ADAC).
Author: Eva Birsa, mum and co-founder of Evitas · Updated: 27 Sep 2026
Which car seat for your child's height?
Under the i-Size standard, car seats are classified by your child's height in centimetres. The old group labels (0+, 1, 2/3) are included for easier comparison.
| Child's height | Approximate age | Car seat type | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–87 cm (group 0+) | 0–15/18 months | infant carrier, often with an ISOFIX base and compatible with a pushchair | rear-facing |
| 40–105 cm (group 0+/1) | 0–4 years | extended rear-facing seat (reboarder), often 360° rotating | rear-facing, later forward-facing possible |
| 61/76–105 cm (group 1) | 15 months–4 years | toddler seat after the infant carrier | rear- or forward-facing |
| 100–150 cm (group 2/3) | 3.5–12 years | high-back booster, secured with the car's seat belt | forward-facing |
| 40–150 cm (group 0+/1/2/3) | 0–12 years | "one seat for all ages" | rear-facing, then forward-facing |
What does the law say in the EU?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), using child car seats can reduce deaths among infants in road crashes by up to 71%.
- Under 150 cm: a child car seat is required. EU rules require children shorter than 150 cm to travel in a child restraint suited to their height and weight. Each country may allow children from 135 cm to use an adult seat belt, and the exact thresholds differ across Europe (usually between 135 and 150 cm), so always check the local rules where you drive. Experts recommend a car seat up to 150 cm, because seat belts are designed for adults.
- Rear-facing until at least 15 months: the i-Size standard (R129) requires rear-facing travel until at least 15 months of age.
- Front seat and airbag: a rear-facing car seat must never be used on a passenger seat protected by an active front airbag. It is only allowed if the airbag has been deactivated.
- The old R44 standard: R44 seats have not been sold in the EU since 1 September 2024, but you can still use one you already own.
i-Size (R129) or R44: what's the difference?
| i-Size (R129) | R44 (old standard) | |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing a seat | by child's height | by child's weight |
| Rear-facing travel | required until at least 15 months | required up to 9 kg (≈ 9 months) |
| Side-impact test | yes | no |
| Crash-test dummy | more advanced (Q dummy) | older (P dummy) |
| Sold in the EU | yes | no (since 1 Sep 2024) |
To learn why rear-facing travel matters so much, read Rear-Facing Car Seats Until Age 4: Why It's Safer.
How to choose a car seat in 7 steps
- Measure your child. Height determines the seat category. Also check the seat's upper limit for rear-facing use.
- Check your car. Does it have ISOFIX? Is the seating position marked as i-Size? Is there an underfloor storage compartment beneath the support leg (some legs aren't allowed there)? In smaller cars, check how much room the front passenger has left when the seat faces backwards.
- Decide on direction and how long you'll use it. An extended rear-facing seat keeps your child rear-facing until about age 4, an infant carrier only until 15–18 months.
- Consider 360° rotation. A rotating seat makes everyday buckling much easier, especially in smaller or three-door cars.
- Check independent tests. Every year, ADAC and its partner automobile clubs and consumer organisations across Europe test safety, ease of use, ergonomics and harmful substances. In the ADAC test of 26 seats published in May 2026, the Cybex Sirona Ti (0–4 years) and the Cybex Pallas G3 (15 months–12 years) were among those rated "good".
- Infant carrier + base, or an "all-ages" seat? An infant carrier with a base is practical because it clicks onto your pushchair. A 40–150 cm seat is cheaper in the long run, but it's a compromise for newborns and for older children.
- Don't buy a second-hand seat with an unknown history. After a car accident a seat must be replaced, even if there's no visible damage. Also respect the expiry date given by the manufacturer.
Infant carrier, reboarder or a 40–150 cm seat?
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Infant carrier (40–87 cm) + reboarder later | best for newborns, portable, pushchair-compatible | two purchases |
| 360° reboarder from birth (40–105 cm) | one seat until age 4, long rear-facing period, easy buckling | not portable, takes up more space |
| 40–150 cm seat | one purchase for all ages | compromise fit for very small and bigger children |
At Evitas, we most often recommend an infant carrier with a base, followed by a rotating reboarder or a seat that stays rear-facing up to 105 cm, for example from our Cybex, Nuna, Joie and KikkaBoo range.
The most common car seat mistakes
- A thick coat under the harness. In a crash it compresses and the straps become loose. Buckle your child in thinner clothes and cover them with a blanket.
- Loose straps. You shouldn't be able to pinch a fold in the strap at the shoulder.
- Headrest too low or too high. Adjust it as your child grows.
- A rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag. This is life-threatening.
- Too long in the infant carrier. Manufacturers recommend breaks on long journeys; the carrier isn't meant for sleeping at home.
- Turning forward-facing too early. Every extra month rear-facing means more protection.
See also: KikkaBoo 360 car seats: model comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Until when does a child need a car seat?
Under EU rules, until they reach 150 cm, although some countries allow a seat belt alone from 135 cm, so check local rules. A car seat is recommended up to 150 cm, because only then does the seat belt fit correctly across the shoulder and hips.
How long should a child stay rear-facing?
By law at least until 15 months (i-Size), and ideally until age 4 or until the seat's upper limit for rear-facing use.
Can a child sit in the front?
In most EU countries yes, as long as they're properly secured in a suitable car seat, but local rules vary. A rear-facing seat in the front is only allowed with the airbag deactivated. The back seats are safer for children.
Is a 360° rotating car seat worth the extra cost?
For most families yes, because it makes everyday buckling easier and encourages longer rear-facing. Rotation itself doesn't affect safety, so always check test results too.
Do I need an ISOFIX base?
A base isn't required, but it reduces the risk of incorrect installation and lets you click the infant carrier in quickly. Many reboarders can only be installed with ISOFIX.
Is an R44 seat still legal?
Yes, you can still use an R44 seat you already own, but they haven't been sold in the EU since September 2024. When buying, choose i-Size (R129).
Choose your car seat
At Evitas we stock Cybex, Nuna, Joie and KikkaBoo car seats for every height. Browse the full range in our car seats collection or choose by your child's height in the table above. Not sure which seat fits your car? Send us a message and we'll help you choose.
Sources
- EUR-Lex – Directive 91/671/EEC on the compulsory use of safety belts and child-restraint systems (consolidated)
- ADAC – child car seat test 2026 (in German)
- WHO – Road traffic injuries (fact sheet)
This content is for information only. Always follow the car seat and vehicle manufacturer's installation instructions.
