Winter Tyre Laws in Europe
Planning to drive abroad? Check which countries require winter tyres and when.
🌨️
Mandatory (6)
Winter tyres required during fixed dates or weather conditions
Conditional (14)
Required only in certain regions or mountain areas
Not mandatory (11)
No legal requirement, but recommended for safety
📌
Studded tyres
Metal studs allowed for extra grip on ice
⛓️
Snow Chains
Chains may be required on certain roads
🏔️
3PMSF / Alpine Symbol
Tyres must have the mountain snowflake marking
✅
Active now
Currently in mandatory winter tyre period
✅
Current date: 27. February 2026 —
15 Countries currently in mandatory winter tyre period
All Countries
| Country | Status | Period | 🏔️ | 📌 | ⛓️ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Andorra | Conditional ✅ | 1.11. – 15.5. | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | |
|
Austria | Conditional ✅ | 1.11. – 15.4. | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | |
|
Belgium | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | |
|
Bulgaria | Mandatory ✅ | 15.11. – 1.3. | — | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Croatia | Mandatory ✅ | 15.11. – 15.4. | — | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Cyprus | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ⚠️ | — | |
|
Czech Republic | Conditional ✅ | 1.11. – 31.3. | — | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Denmark | Conditional | Weather/road conditions | ✅ | ✅ | — | |
|
Estonia | Mandatory ✅ | 1.12. – 1.3. | ✅ | ✅ | — | |
|
Finland | Conditional ✅ | 1.11. – 31.3. | — | ✅ | — | |
|
France | Conditional ✅ | 1.11. – 31.3. | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | |
|
Germany | Conditional | Weather/road conditions | ✅ | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Greece | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | |
|
Hungary | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Iceland | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ✅ | 🚫 | |
|
Ireland | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ✅ | — | |
|
Italy | Conditional ✅ | 15.11. – 15.4. | — | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | |
|
Latvia | Mandatory ✅ | 1.12. – 1.3. | ✅ | ✅ | — | |
|
Lithuania | Mandatory ✅ | 10.11. – 1.4. | — | ✅ | — | |
|
Luxembourg | Conditional | Weather/road conditions | — | ⚠️ | — | |
|
Malta | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ⚠️ | — | |
|
Netherlands | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | 🚫 | 🚫 | |
|
Norway | Conditional ✅ | 1.11. – 30.4. | — | ✅ | — | |
|
Poland | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Portugal | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | |
|
Romania | Conditional | Weather/road conditions | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | |
|
Slovakia | Conditional ✅ | 15.11. – 31.3. | — | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | |
|
Slovenia | Mandatory ✅ | 15.11. – 15.3. | — | 🚫 | ⚠️ | |
|
Spain | Conditional | When road signs require | — | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | |
|
Sweden | Conditional ✅ | 1.12. – 31.3. | ✅ | ✅ | — | |
|
Switzerland | Not mandatory | Not applicable | — | ✅ | ⚠️ |
About Winter Tyre Regulations
Winter tyre regulations vary significantly across Europe. Some countries have fixed dates when winter tyres are mandatory, while others require them only in specific weather conditions or mountain areas.
Always check the latest regulations before traveling, as laws may change. This information is provided for guidance only.
