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Where are winter tyres mandatory in Europe?

An overview of the regulations

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 Winter 2024/2025


CountryWinter regulationsWinter periodStudded tiresMinimum tread depth
(in mm)
Austria- Winter tires with M+S symbol and/or 3PMSF
- Summer tires must be equipped with snow chains on at least one drive axle (if allowed).
01.11. - 15.04. if winter conditions.Allowed with spike sticker on car, but forbidden from 01.06. - 30.09.4
BelgiumNo obligation Allowed from 01.11 - 31.03. on vehicles not heavier than 3.5T. A "60" km/h plate has to be applied on the back of the vehicles equipped with studs.1.6
Bosnia-Herzegovina- Winter tires with M+S symbol15.11. - 15.04.Forbidden4
Belarus- Winter tires with M+S or 3PMSF01.12. - 01.03.Allowed4
Bulgaria- Winter tires with M+S symbol / but listed in no obligation
- DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF
01.11. - 31.03.Forbidden4
Croatia- Winter tires with M+S symbol15.11 - 15.04. 4
Czech Republic- Winter tires with M+S symbol01.11. - 31.03.Forbidden4
DenmarkNo obligation Allowed from 01.11. - 15.04.1.6
Estonia- Winter tires with M+S symbol
01.12. - 01.03.Allowed from 15.10. - 31.03.3
Finland- Winter tires with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbolMandatory 01.11. - 31.03. if winter conditions.Allowed from 01.10. - 31.03. or Easter in "winter" conditions.3
France

-Winter equipment is mandatory for vehicles driving on roads marked with the B26 and/or B58 sign

- Winter tires shall be marked with 3PMSF (Alpine) symbol from 01-11 - 31.03
- M+S marked tires are allowed until 01.11.2024

01.11. - 31.03.Allowed from 01.11. - 31.03. or Easter in "winter" conditions.1.6
GermanyIn wintry weather conditions vehicles must be fitted with tires marked with 3PMSFSituational winter tiresStudded tires prohibited. Exception: Route via "Kleines Deutsches Eck" and Emergency Vehicles.1.6
GreeceIn wintry weather conditions vehicles must be fitted with tyres marked with M+S or snow chainssituational winter tiresprohibited1.6
HungaryNo obligation   
IrelandNo obligation   
Italy- Winter tires with M+S symbol or snow chains on board15.11. - 15-04. only where mandatory by local authorities rules. 1.6
Kosovo- Winter tires with M+S symbol15.11. - 01.03. 4
Latvia- Winter tires with M+S symbol
- DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF
01.12. - 01.03.Allowed from 01.10. - 01.05.4
LiechtensteinNo legal requirements (The vehicle must be safe to operate and always be able to be driven). In the event of damage, the insurance company may reduce payments. Only 3PMSF tires are considered winter tires.Situational winter tiresPermitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snow covered roads.1.6
Lithuania- Winter tires with M+S symbol01.11. - 01.04.Allowed from 01.11. - 01.04.3
Luxembourg- Winter tires with M+S symbolSituational winter tires 1.6
North Macedonia- Winter tires with M+S symbol15.11. - 31.03.Forbidden4
Montenegro- Winter tires with M+S symbol15.11. - 01.04. 4
NetherlandsNo obligation  1.6
Norway- Winter tires with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbolNorway South: 01.11. - first Sunday after Easter.
Norway North: 16.10. - 30.04.
Allowed with spike sticker In South 01.11. - 1st Monday after Easter.
In North 16.10. - 30.04.
3
Poland- Winter tires with 3PMSF symbol recommended but not mandatory Forbidden1.6
PortugalNo obligation  1.6
Romania- Winter tires with M+S symbolSituational winter tiresForbidden1.6
Serbia- Winter tires with M+S symbol01.11. - 01.04. 4
Slovakia

-Winter tires with M+S or 3PMSF symbols.

- Winter tires with 3PMSF symbol can be used in lower tire speed symbol (Speed symbol Q - 160 km/h or slower) than the one specified by vehicle manufacturer. 

- Winter tires with only M+S symbol must follow required tire speed symbol specified by vehicle manufacturer.  

15.11. - 31.03.Forbidden3
Slovenia- Winter tires with M+S symbol15.11. - 15.03.Forbidden3
SpainNo obligation Forbidden1.6
Sweden- Winter tires with 3PMSF symbol01.12. - 31.03. if winter conditions.Allowed from 01.10. - 15.04.3
SwitzerlandNo legal requirements (The vehicle must be safe to operate and always be able to be driven). In the event of damage, the insurance company may reduce payments. Only 3PMSF tires are considered winter tires.Situational winter tiresPermitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snow covered roads.1.6
TürkiyeIt is obligatory to equip vehicles used for passenger and goods transport with winter tyres on regional roads in winter period. Within the provincial borders, local governors decide whether to enforce winter tire regulation and make necessary announcements according to average local temperatures. It is obligatory to fit winter tires on all axles of light trucks, vans and taxis, minibuses, vans and commercial cars. Tire replaced on the road in winter must be winter tire with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall.01.12. - 01.04.Forbidden1.6
Ukraine- Winter tires with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol Allowed4
United KingdomNo obligation   

Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct and complete.

M + S

Tyres marked with M+S (Mud+Snow) provide a tread pattern or structure that is designed to deliver performance that exceeds that of a standard tyre in snowy conditions. The M+S label is not subject to a defined test procedure.

Snow Grip

Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tyres deliver winter performance that is legally certified. These tyres have to pass a test on a snow-covered road and have at least 25% better traction than a standard reference tyre.

Winter

Winter tyres from Continental are marked with the snowflake symbol on the tyre wall. Not only do Continental winter tyres easily outperform M+S tyres, they also significantly exceed the requirements of the “Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake“ symbol (3PMSF). The development of winter tyres from Continental is based on many years of experience and practical knowledge gained from using the tyres in the low temperatures found in Scandinavian countries. These special winter tyres offer a distinct advantage for a safe journey on snow-covered or icy roads.


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