Where are winter tyres mandatory in Europe?

Laws surrounding the use of winter tyres vary from country to country and even region to region. So, where are winter tyres mandatory in Europe? And where are they recommended?

Winter tyres laws across Europe

Laws surrounding the use of winter tyres vary from country to country and even region to region. So, where are winter tyres mandatory in Europe? And where are they recommended?

Please bear in mind that there is a possibility that laws can be updated and changed, as average local temperatures fluctuate, so we recommend you double-check local laws before you take a trip abroad in winter. For example, in the UK large parts of the country rarely experience prolonged periods of extreme cold and, when it does happen, most drivers simply choose not to drive. It wouldn’t make economical sense to make winter tyres mandatory.

EU laws and legislation

	Legal requirement	Compliant dates	Details
Albania	Winter tyres are not mandatory.	Between 1st November and 30th April it is compulsory to carry snow chains.
Andorra	Winter tyres are not mandatory.	1^st November to 15^th April	Minimum tread depth 4mm
Armenia	Winter tyres are not compulsory but tyres must be appropriate for winter conditions
Austria	Winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains should be carried.	1^st November to 15^th April	Minimum tread depth 4mm. Tyres must feature M&S symbol
Belarus	Winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains are permitted.	1^st December to 1^st March
Belgium	Winter tyres are not mandatory. Snow chains are permitted.
Bosnia Herzegovina	Winter, all-season or snow chains are mandatory. Snow chains and a shovel must be carried.	1^st November to 15^th April
Bulgaria	Winter tyres are recommended. Snow chains should be carried	Snow chains must be carried between 1^st November and 31^st March
Croatia	In sleet, snow and ice, at least two winter type tyres must fitted to the drive axle. Snow chains and a shovel must be carried.		Minimum tread depth is 4mm
Cyprus	Winter tyres are recommended.
Czech Republic	Winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains are mandatory where instructed.	1^st November to 1^st April	Minimum tread depth is 4mm
Denmark	Winter or all-season tyres recommended. Snow chains are permitted.
Estonia	Winter tyres are mandatory.	1^st December to end February	Minimum tread depth is 3mm
Finland	Winter or all-season tyres are mandatory. Snow chains are permitted.	1^st December to end February	Tyres must feature M&S symbol. Minimum tread depth is 3mm
France	As a general rule, the fitting of winter tyres is not mandatory. However, in certain mountainous regions, winter tyres are necessary. Snow chains may be permitted as an alternative.
Germany	Regulations brought in in 2010 require all passenger cars and motorbikes to be fitted with winter tyres or all season tyres on all axles in wintry conditions. Snow chains should be carried.
Greece	Winter tyres are not compulsory but tyres must be appropriate for winter conditions. Snow chains are permitted.
Hungary	Winter tyres are not mandatory but you must carry snow chains with you in case driving conditions deteriorate.
Iceland	Winter or all-season tyres mandatory.	1^st November to 14^th April	Dates do change so please double-check
Italy	Winter tyres are recommended but only compulsory on specific roads. You must carry snow chains in certain areas.	15^th October to 15^th April.	In Val d’Aosta vehicles must be fitted with either winter tyres or snow chains
Latvia	Winter tyres are mandatory.	1^st December to 1^st March
Lithuania	Winter tyres are mandatory.	1^st November to 1^st April
Luxemburg	Winter tyres are not compulsory but tyres must be appropriate for winter conditions
Macedonia	Winter tyres are not mandatory. Snow chains must be carried.	15^th November to 15^th March	Minimum tread depth is 5mm
Moldova	Winter tyres are mandatory.	1^st December to 1^st March
Montenegro	Winter tyres are mandatory.	15^th November to 31^st March
Norway	Winter tyres or snow chains must be used if snow or ice has covered the road but otherwise winter tyres are recommended but not mandatory. It is compulsory to carry snow chains		Minimum tread depth 3mm
Poland	Winter tyres are recommended but are not compulsory
Portugal	Winter tyres are not compulsory but snow chains are mandatory where signage indicates.
Romania	Winter tyres are not compulsory but tyres must be appropriate for winter conditions		Minimum tread depth is 2mm
Russia	Winter tyres are mandatory and snow chains must be carried.
Serbia	Winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains must be carried.	1st November to 1st April (although may be extended)	Minimum tread depth is 4mm
Slovakia	Winter tyres are not compulsory but tyres carrying the M&S symbol must be used when compacted snow or ice is on the road.
Slovenia	Winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains and a shovel must be carried.	15^th November to 15^th March
Spain	The use of winter tyres in Spain is regional. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory in that area.
Sweden	Winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains are recommended	1^st December to 31^st March	Tyres must feature M&S symbol and have a minimum tread depth of 3mm.
Switzerland	Winter tyres are not compulsory across the whole country but tyres must be appropriate for winter conditions Look out for traffic signs indicating where winter tyres or snow chains are mandatory.
Turkey	Winter tyres are not mandatory. Snow chains must be carried in certain areas.
Ukraine	Winter tyres are not mandatory.
United Kingdom	Winter tyres are not mandatory but snow chains are permitted

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