03 Jan Winter tires and snow chains in Europe, what about?

Safe driving is of great importance. Both for private drivers and for road transport. It is important to be well prepared, especially in winter conditions. Winter tires have a different structure than summer or four-season tires. Special grooves and sipes provide better grip on snow and/or ice. The composition of the rubber is also different, making them more elastic and flexible. But what about legislation and regulations on winter tires in Europe? And when are snow chains mandatory? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to all these questions.
Each country has its own obligations and recommendations regarding winter tires, all-season tires and snow chains. Winter tire regulations in Europe differ from country to country.

We can imagine that you can no longer see the forest for the trees. That is why we have made an overview of all (including geographical) European countries in alphabetical order. This way you can see at a glance which legislation applies to which country.

Albania

Winter tires not required, but snow chains must be present in the vehicle

Andorra

Winter tires not required. Minimum tire tread depth 4 mm

November 1 to April 15

Armenia

Winter tires not required. Tires must be suitable for winter conditions

Belgium

Winter tires not required, snow chains permitted if the road surface is completely covered with snow or ice

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Winter tires on drive axle with at least 4 mm profile. Presence of snow chains (mounted on drive axle in winter conditions), shovel and sandbag 25/50 kilos mandatory

November 15 to April 15

Bulgaria

Winter tires are recommended, snow chains mandatory. Use mandatory if indicated on traffic sign

November 1 to March 31

Cyprus

Winter tires are recommended

Denmark

Winter tires or all-season tires are recommended, snow chains and studded tires (mounted on all axles) are permitted

Germany

Winter tires or all-season tires mandatory in winter conditions and on all axles. Presence of snow chains mandatory

Estonia

Winter tires mandatory. Minimum tire tread depth 4 mm. Snow chains allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

December 1 to the end of February, studded tires from October 15 to March 31

Finland

Winter tires or all-season tires required, snow chains allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads) Tires must be M&S branded. Minimum tire tread depth 3 mm December 1 to the end of February

France

No legislation or regulations for winter tires. Exceptions indicated on road signs

Greece

Winter tires not required, snow chains allowed. Tires must be suitable for winter conditions

Hungary

Winter tires not required, snow chains required

Ireland

Winter tires not required, snow chains permitted if the road surface is completely covered with snow or ice.

Iceland

Winter tires or all-season tires required

Usually from November 1 to April 14

Italy

Winter tires Italy recommended, mandatory on certain roads. Presence of anti-slip kit (snow chains) mandatory. Snow chains or winter tires mandatory in Val d'Aosta

From October 15 to April 15

Croatia

In winter conditions, at least the two wheels of the drive axle must be fitted with winter tires. Minimum tire tread depth 4 mm. Snow shovel commercial vehicle required

Latvia

Winter tires are mandatory. Snow chains and studded tires allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

November 1 to April 1

Lithuania

Winter tires are mandatory. Snow chains and studded tires allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

From November 1 to April 1

Luxembourg

Winter tires not required. Tires must be suitable for winter conditions. Snow chains allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

Moldavia

Winter tires mandatory From December 1 to March 1

Montenegro

Winter tires mandatory

From November 15 to March 31

Norway

In the period from November 1 to the first Monday after Easter, a vehicle with a total weight of > 3.5 tons must have a minimum number of snow chains on the vehicle and must use them in snowfall and ice:

Three chains, for motor vehicles with a permissible total weight (ttg) of > 3.5 tons. One chain should fit around a front tire and two around the drive axle tires

Seven chains, for combinations consisting of a motor vehicle-trailer or tractor-trailer, each with a maximum weight of > 3.5 tons and a driven axle with double tires. One chain must fit around the front tire, four around the drive axle tires and two around the trailer/semi-trailer

Five chains, if the driven axle of the combination is equipped with single tires

From the first Monday after Easter until October 31, it is prohibited to drive with snow chains or studded tires, unless it is absolutely necessary due to the road/weather situation. In Norland, Troms and Finnmark they are banned between May 1 and October 15.

In Oslo, a tax is imposed for driving on studded tires from November 1 to the first Monday after Easter. This tax amounts to NOK 30 per day, NOK 400 per month or NOK 1,200 per season for vehicles up to 3.5 tons. Vehicles over 3.5 tons pay double. In the regions of Norland, Troms and Finnmark, it is mandatory to have snow chains on board from October 15 to May 1.

Winter tires are mandatory for vehicles >3.5 tonnes on all wheels of the towing vehicle and the trailer or semi-trailer, including wheels of the lifting axle, from November 15 to March 31, if driving on roads where snow and ice can be expected become. It is recommended to have no less than 5 mm tread on the tires. Minimum tire tread depth 3 mm

The Netherlands

Winter tires not required. Snow chains are not allowed on public roads

Ukraine

Winter tires not required. Snow chains and studded tires allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

Austria

Winter tires are mandatory, snow chains mandatory. Tires must be M&S branded. Minimum tire tread depth 4 mm

November 1 to April 15

Poland

Winter tires not required, but recommended. Snow chains allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

Portugal

Winter tires not required, snow chains required if indicated on a traffic sign

Romania

Winter tires not required. Tires must be suitable for winter conditions. Minimum tire tread depth 2 mm. Shovel and sand required

Russia

Winter tires are mandatory, snow chains mandatory

Serbia

Winter tires are mandatory, snow chains mandatory. Minimum tire tread depth 4 mm

From November 1 to April 1 (or longer)

Slovenia

Winter tires and the presence of snow chains and shovel required.

November 15 to March 31

Slovakia

Winter tires not required. If there is ice or compacted snow on the road surface, tires must have the M&S brand

November 15 to March 15

Spain

Road signs indicate where winter tires in Spain or snow chains are mandatory. Varies by region

Czech Republic

Winter tires are mandatory, snow chains mandatory if indicated. Minimum tire tread depth 4 mm

November 1 to April 1

Turkey

Winter tires not required. Snow chains mandatory in some areas

United Kingdom

No law or regulations. Snow chains and studded tires allowed (only on ice or snow-covered roads)

Belarus

Winter tires required, snow chains allowed

From December 1 to March 1

Sweden

From now on, all domestic and foreign truck combinations in Sweden must be equipped with winter tires on all axles between December 1 and March 31.

The new regulation applies to tractors, semi-trailers and trailers with a total weight of 3.5 tons and more. The winter tires to be used on the drive axles must meet the standards of 'Alp Peak/Snowflake' (3PMSF) or 'Professional Off Road' (POR).

Semi-trailers and trailers in Sweden

On non-drive axles, such as in semi-trailers and trailers, the standards M+S, MS, M&S, generally referred to as 'Mud and Snow', must be met. For towing units and semi-trailers a minimum profile of 5 millimeters applies, for trailers the standard is 1.6 millimeters.

The scheme applies to all vehicles, regardless of country of origin and registration. The use of snow chains is permitted from October 1 to April 15.

Switzerland

Road signs indicate where winter tires or snow chains are mandatory. Varies by region. Tires must be suitable for winter conditions