Winter tires: Where they are mandatory in Europe - and which rules apply where

If you want to drive your car safely on winter vacation, you should also think about the right tires. Different rules apply in other countries than in Germany.

Overview

In Europe, almost every country has its own rules when it comes to winter tires. In some countries, winter tires are compulsory in certain periods of time, others link them to the weather conditions, in others there is no obligation at all.

If you are going to the mountains in winter, you should find out about the applicable laws in advance. We provide an overview of winter tire requirements in various European countries.

What drivers should know about winter tires

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Are winter tires compulsory in Germany?

In Germany, the situational winter tire obligation applies. This means that winter tires must be fitted to the car in wintry conditions, i.e. when there is frost and ice, snow, slush and black ice. It doesn't matter what time of year it is.

Four winter tires must always be fitted. In addition, the minimum tread depth for winter tires is 1.6 millimeters. However, the automobile clubs ADAC and ACE recommend replacing winter tires with a tread depth of less than four millimeters.

Violations: 60 euros and one point in Flensburg, if others are disabled or there is an accident, the fine is higher

Winter tire obligation: These rules apply in Europe

Bosnia-Herzegovina

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In the period from November 15th to April 15th of the following year, winter tires must be fitted. M+S winter tires are then mandatory on the drive wheels, the minimum tread depth is four millimeters.

Bulgaria

Winter tires are compulsory in Bulgaria from November 15th to March 1st. A minimum tread depth of four millimeters is required.

Estonia

In Estonia, winter tires are mandatory from December 1st to March 1st (tread depth at least three millimeters). Depending on the weather, the period can be extended (October to April).

Finland

In Finland winter tires are compulsory from November 1st to March 31st in wintry road conditions (M+S marking). In the case of trailer combinations, this also applies to braked trailers. The tread depth must be at least three millimeters, five is recommended.

France

In France there is no general winter tire obligation. In wintry weather conditions, however, use can be ordered at short notice, especially in mountainous regions.

Suitable "Pneus neige" (winter tires) are those with the Alpine symbol; M+S winter tires will only be accepted until November 1, 2024. Your tread depth must be at least 3.5 millimeters.

We can also arrange for snow chains to be compulsory. These must be attached to the wheels of the drive axle.

Violations: 135 euros

Italy

In Italy there is no uniform regulation on winter tyres. In general, however, the winter tire obligation can be ordered at short notice for certain roads by means of signs. If necessary, a snow chain obligation can also be introduced, also with appropriate signs.

The Aosta Valley in the border area to France and Switzerland is a special case: from October 15th to April 15th winter tires are compulsory here. On the A 22 Brenner motorway, this applies to the Brenner – Affi section from November 15th to April 15th. There is another variant in South Tyrol: there, weather-related winter tires are compulsory - in snow, mud, ice and the like, winter tires must always be fitted.

Violations: up to 345 euros

Croatia

There is no general winter tire obligation in Croatia. However, there are weather-dependent winter tire requirements on some roads or sections of road. It is ordered by a traffic sign.

Anyone driving there must have at least two winter tires on the drive axle of their car. The minimum tread depth is four millimeters.

Violations: around 92 euros

Latvia

Cars and their trailers must be fitted with winter tires from December 1st to March 1st. The minimum tread depth of the tires is four millimeters.

Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, winter tires are compulsory depending on the weather. This means that tires with an M+S label must be fitted in wintry conditions.

Violations: around 49 euros, obstructing road traffic 74 euros

Norway

There is no general obligation to have winter tires for vehicles up to 3.5 tons. However, anyone who has put on summer tires in wintry road conditions must equip them with snow chains. Winter tires must have a tread depth of at least three millimeters and be mounted on all four wheels.

Heavier vehicles must always be fitted with winter tires between November 15th and March 31st. These must have a minimum tread depth of five millimeters.

Austria

In snow, mud or ice, cars must have winter tires (M+S tyres) fitted between November 1st and April 15th. They must have a tread depth of at least four millimeters for radial tires and five millimeters for cross-ply tires.

Alternatively, snow chains on at least two drive wheels are sufficient - provided the road is covered with a continuous layer of snow or ice. For vehicles heavier than 3.5 tons, winter tires are generally compulsory between November 1st and April 15th.

M+S tires must have a tread depth of at least five millimeters for diagonal designs or at least four millimeters for radial designs, otherwise they are not considered winter tires.

Violations: 35 euros, endangering others up to 5,000 euros

Sweden

In Sweden, the time of year and weather conditions have to be taken into account: Winter tires (type M+S) are mandatory for vehicles and trailers in wintry road conditions between December 1st and March 31st.

Cars with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons require tires with a tread depth of at least three millimeters, and heavier vehicles require at least five millimeters.

Switzerland

In Switzerland there is no general obligation to fit winter tyres. But even here, unsuitable tires can have unpleasant consequences: if traffic is obstructed as a result, the driver must expect fines. If you have an accident with summer tires on wintry roads, you may have to be held liable.

Snow chains must also be put on in Switzerland as soon as signs indicate this.

Snow chains: In some countries, summer tires with snow chains can be used as an alternative to winter tires. (Source: omgimages/Getty Images)

Serbia

In wintry road conditions, winter tires must be fitted between November 1st and April 1st of the following year. The tread depth must not be less than four millimeters.

Slovakia

In Slovakia, winter tires are compulsory depending on the weather: In snow, ice, slippery roads and the like, motor vehicles with a maximum total weight of up to 3.5 tons must be equipped with winter or all-season tires with a profile of at least three millimeters.

Vehicles that are heavier must be fitted with winter tires between November 15th and March 31st, regardless of the weather.

Slovenia

Winter tires are compulsory from November 15th to March 15th of the following year and in wintry road conditions. The tires must have a minimum tread depth of three millimeters. Alternatively, all-season tires or snow chains can be used on summer tires.

Anyone driving a vehicle over 3.5 tons must have winter tires at least on the drive wheels. But here, too, snow chains can be used on summer tires.

Violations: 120 euros

Czech Republic

Winter tires must be fitted between November 1st and March 31st if there is snow, ice or mud on the roads, or if the temperature is below four degrees. The M+S marking is sufficient. The profile of the tires must be at least four millimeters.

Winter tires on the drive axle are sufficient for vehicles over 3.5 tons. A tread depth of six millimeters is required for this.

Other countries: There is no winter tire obligation here

There is no general winter tire obligation in

In wintry weather, it is also advisable to put on winter tires in these European countries. If the roads are almost completely covered with snow or ice, snow chains can be used on the drive wheels as an alternative, according to the ADAC.