Winter tires are mandatory here

Many traffic regulations are regulated uniformly in Europe. But when it comes to winter tire rules, each country has its own thing. That’s reasonable too. After all, every country in Europe has its own topography and special weather conditions. But: This also obliges us to find out what rules apply in the relevant country before crossing the border. Some countries also require certain equipment to be transported.

Winter tires are not mandatory in Switzerland, but are available in many other countries. If you do not pay attention to these, you may pay heavy fines and lose your insurance in an accident. If you usually only use winter tires in the winter, you are on the safe side. The rules applicable to winter tires in Europe are:

The so-called situational winter tire obligation applies to its northern neighbors. In other words, only vehicles with winter tires are allowed in winter road conditions such as snow, ice or mud. Only tires with the snowflake symbol (“Three Peaks Mountain Snowflake”) are considered winter tires in Germany. These conditions are not tied to a date. Nails are prohibited.

In Austria, winter tires are mandatory only in winter road conditions, ie not in general. The profile of the tires must be at least four millimeters. Alternatively, summer tires with snow chains on at least two drive wheels are permitted provided there is a solid snow cover. These regulations are in effect from November 1 to April 15. Winter tires are only tires marked M+S (“Mud and Snow”, i.e. mud and snow). Violations can result in fines of 35 Euros or more. But if you endanger others, you will be fined up to 5,000 euros. From October 1 to May 31, spikes with a maximum length of two millimeters are allowed.

Each Italian region has its own rules. For example, in South Tyrol, winter clothing is mandatory in winter conditions. From 15 November to 15 April on the A22 Brenner motorway, winter tires (M+S marking) are always mandatory. As in Austria, an M+S label is sufficient. Nails no larger than 1.5 millimeters are allowed from November 15 to March 15. From October 15 to April 15, winter tires or alternatively summer tires with snow chains are mandatory in the Aosta Valley. Depending on snow conditions, snow chains can also be supplied, in which case the maximum speed is 50 km/h. Anyone not following the tire rules should expect fines of up to 345 euros.

Winter tires are mandatory in France since 2022 – but only in mountainous areas. This means: In 48 of the 96 regions in the heart of France, ie half, winter tires are generally mandatory from 1 November to 31 March. These include the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Vosges, the Jura and the Massif Central and Corsica regions. Snow chains must also be carried! Relevant areas are marked with signs. However, with such signs, winter tires may be temporarily obligatory in other regions. Anyone violating this should expect a fine of 135 euros. An overview of the affected areas can be found at: securite-routiere.gouve.fr.

Luxembourg Winter road conditions require winter tires with a tread depth of at least 3 millimeters or, alternatively, snow chains for summer tires. Violations will result in fines of at least 49 Euros. Belgium and Holland keep calm and give up a task.

Sweden and Finland Winter tires are required for all vehicles and trailers weighing less than 3.5 tonnes from 1 December to 31 March. Norway has no general obligation, but does require snow chains for summer tires if the roads are covered with snow or ice (here you can read what TCS thinks about snow chains on summer tires). Inside Denmark only winter or all-season tires are recommended. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania I agree: winter tires are mandatory. logically: up Iceland anyway, nothing works without winter tires.

Things get complicated in Eastern Europe – many countries have their own regulations. In detail: Albania Requires snow chains, not winter tires from November 1st to April 30th. The following countries require winter tires: Serbia (Attention: min. 4 millimeter tread depth!) and Slovenia (the car is always equipped with snow chains), Bosnia and Herzegovina (from November 1 to April 15, all season tires tolerate), Moldova, Montenegro and Czech Republic (Mandatory from November 1 to March 31). Bulgaria recommends them too Poland, Macedonia, Slovakia or Hungary, but where snow chains must be transported in the car. Inside Romania you only need suitable tires with a tread depth of at least two millimeters. Inside Croatia Weather dependent winter tires are mandatory on certain marked routes. In the case of ice and snow, only the drive wheels need to be equipped with winter tires (and you can read where to fit better tires here). However, you should carry snow chains and shovels with you.

Really the car is not a country for winter holidays, for the sake of integrity: winter tires are not mandatory here.

And as a reminder: Winter tires are not mandatory for us, but the vehicle must always run safely. If you block traffic with summer tires in the winter, you will have to pay a hefty fine and the insurance company may recourse in the event of an accident. Signs on certain routes mandate snow chains, spikes with stickers in the car are allowed on main roads from December 1 to April 30. On the motorway, it is only allowed between Airolo and Göschenen on the A13 and A13 on the A2.