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

All countries

Country Status Period 🏔️ 📌 ⛓️
Andorra Andorra Conditional 1.11. – 15.5. — ✅ ⚠️
Belgium Belgium Not mandatory Not applicable — ✅ ⚠️
Bulgaria Bulgaria Mandatory 15.11. – 1.3. — 🚫 ⚠️
Croatia Croatia Mandatory 15.11. – 15.4. — 🚫 ⚠️
Cyprus Cyprus Not mandatory Not applicable — ⚠️ —
Denmark Denmark Conditional Weather/road conditions ✅ ✅ —
Estonia Estonia Mandatory 1.12. – 1.3. ✅ ✅ —
Greece Greece Not mandatory Not applicable — ⚠️ ⚠️
Hungary Hungary Not mandatory Not applicable — 🚫 ⚠️
Iceland Iceland Not mandatory Not applicable — ✅ 🚫
Ireland Ireland Not mandatory Not applicable — ✅ —
Latvia Latvia Mandatory 1.12. – 1.3. ✅ ✅ —
Lithuania Lithuania Mandatory 10.11. – 1.4. — ✅ —
Luxembourg Luxembourg Conditional Weather/road conditions — ⚠️ —
Malta Malta Not mandatory Not applicable — ⚠️ —
Norway Norway Conditional 1.11. – 30.4. — ✅ —
Romania Romania Conditional Weather/road conditions — ✅ ⚠️
Spain Spain Conditional When road signs require — ⚠️ ⚠️
Switzerland Switzerland Not mandatory Not applicable — ✅ ⚠️
Італія Італія Conditional 15.11. – 15.4. — ⚠️ ⚠️
Австрія Австрія Conditional 1.11. – 15.4. — ✅ ⚠️
Нідерланди Нідерланди Not mandatory Not applicable — 🚫 🚫
Німеччина Німеччина Conditional Weather/road conditions ✅ 🚫 ⚠️
Польща Польща Not mandatory Not applicable — 🚫 ⚠️
Португалія Португалія Not mandatory Not applicable — ⚠️ ⚠️
Словаччина Словаччина Conditional 15.11. – 31.3. — ⚠️ ⚠️
Словенія Словенія Mandatory 15.11. – 15.3. — 🚫 ⚠️
Франція Франція Conditional 1.11. – 31.3. ✅ ⚠️ ⚠️
Фінляндія Фінляндія Conditional 1.11. – 31.3. — ✅ —
Чехія Чехія Conditional 1.11. – 31.3. — 🚫 ⚠️
Швеція Швеція Conditional 1.12. – 31.3. ✅ ✅ —

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.