Europe-wide comparison
Winter tyres by country
Compare seasonal and weather-dependent winter tyre or winter equipment requirements.
| Country | Rule summary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Mandatory where road signs require themNo national obligation; road authorities may order winter tyres or chains on specific roads by signage. | Official source ↗ |
| Andorra | Mandatory on specified dates or when winter conditions applyWinter equipment is mandatory whenever the road is snow- or ice-covered; from 1 November to 15 May all vehicles must carry snow chains unless fitted with winter or M+S tyres. | Official source ↗ |
| Austria | Mandatory in winter road conditionsFor vehicles below 3.5 t, mandatory when the road is covered with snow or ice. | Official source ↗ |
| Belarus | Mandatory during a defined seasonFrom 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are required on all wheels for vehicles up to 3.5 t. | Official source ↗ |
| Belgium | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Mandatory in winter road conditionsWinter-equipment periods and specifications are set by a ministerial rulebook; driving without it is penalised where mandated. | Official source ↗ |
| Bulgaria | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Croatia | Mandatory on specified dates or when winter conditions applyWinter equipment is mandatory on major roads from 15 November to 15 April and on other roads in winter conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| Cyprus | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Czechia | Mandatory in a defined season when winter conditions applyFrom 1 November to 31 March, in snow and ice. | Official source ↗ |
| Denmark | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Estonia | Mandatory during a defined seasonFrom 1 December to 1 March. | Official source ↗ |
| Finland | MandatoryThe source states that winter tyres are mandatory but gives no dates or conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| France | Mandatory seasonally where road signs require themWinter tyres or snow chains are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March in signed mountainous areas. | Official source ↗ |
| Germany | MandatoryThe source states that winter tyres are mandatory but gives no dates or conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| Greece | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Hungary | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Iceland | Not stated in the standardized sourceStudded tyres are permitted 31 October – 15 April; a general winter-tyre mandate was not confirmed in the official sources checked. | Official source ↗ |
| Ireland | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Italy | MandatoryThe source states that winter tyres are mandatory but gives no dates or conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| Kosovo | Mandatory on specified dates or when winter conditions applyWinter equipment is mandatory 15 November – 15 March, and in snow or ice conditions at any time. | Official source ↗ |
| Latvia | Mandatory during a defined seasonFrom 1 December to 1 March. | Official source ↗ |
| Liechtenstein | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Lithuania | Mandatory during a defined seasonFrom 10 November to 31 March. | Official source ↗ |
| Luxembourg | Mandatory in winter road conditionsMandatory for all vehicles on public roads in wintry conditions (snow and ice). | Official source ↗ |
| Malta | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Moldova | Mandatory in winter road conditionsM+S tyres are required whenever snow or ice is on the carriageway; studded tyres are prohibited on clear roads. | Official source ↗ |
| Monaco | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Montenegro | Mandatory on specified dates or when winter conditions applyWinter equipment must be carried 15 November – 30 March and used whenever snow or ice is on the road. | Official source ↗ |
| Netherlands | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| North Macedonia | Mandatory during a defined seasonWinter equipment is mandatory 15 November – 15 March; police may stop non-equipped vehicles in winter conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| Norway | Required when conditions demand winter gripPassenger cars must use winter tyres, chains or similar whenever needed to ensure sufficient road grip. | Official source ↗ |
| Poland | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Portugal | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Romania | Mandatory in winter road conditionsMandatory on snowy and icy roads. | Official source ↗ |
| Russia | Mandatory during a defined seasonDecember – February on all wheels for passenger cars and light vans; studded tyres prohibited June – August. | Official source ↗ |
| San Marino | Mandatory where road signs require themSnow chains are compulsory where signposted; no general seasonal obligation was found. | Official source ↗ |
| Serbia | Mandatory in a defined season when winter conditions applyFrom 1 November to 1 April when snow or ice is on the road; winter tyres with at least 4 mm tread on all wheels. | Official source ↗ |
| Slovakia | Mandatory in winter road conditionsMandatory when the road is entirely covered with snow or ice. | Official source ↗ |
| Slovenia | Mandatory on specified dates or when winter conditions applyFrom 15 November to 15 March and outside those dates during wintry conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| Spain | Not stated in the standardized sourceThe source lists mandatory snow chains in heavy snow but does not state a passenger-car winter-tyre requirement. | Official source ↗ |
| Sweden | Mandatory in a defined season when winter conditions applyFrom 1 December to 31 March when the Swedish Police determines there are wintry conditions. | Official source ↗ |
| Switzerland | Not stated in the standardized source | Official source ↗ |
| Türkiye | Not required by national rulesWinter tyres are compulsory only for commercial passenger and goods transport, in a period set per province; private cars must carry snow chains for snowy or icy days. | Official source ↗ |
| Ukraine | Not required by national rulesNo national winter-tyre obligation; minimum tread depth for passenger cars is 1.6 mm. | Official source ↗ |
| United Kingdom | Not required by national rules | Official source ↗ |
This is a planning summary, not legal advice. Road signs and current national rules take priority. Always check the linked official source before departure.