Winter tires mandatory use – where in Europe?
Winter tires use is mandatory, while driving in winter time, in the most of the European countries. Some of the EU member states require the winter tire to be specifically marked (check the links below for more information). Winter tires must be mounted on all wheels of the vehicle, even on the wheels of the trailer!
As a genera rule, while driving in EU, in heavy winter conditions, you are allowed to use snow chains, but onlly on the road sections signalized with the specific road sign! After passing this road section the chow chans must be removed.
Snow chains must be mounted on all driving wheels of the vehicle. Denmark has specific rules – the snow chains must be mouted on all vehicle weels!
Studded tires use is not popular in the EU countries.
Countries where the winter tire use is mandatory are market with YES (in the first column in the table below):
| country | winter tires use | snow chains use | studded tires use |
| Austria | YES
from 1 November to 15 April |
YES | from 1 Octomber to 31 May, on signalized road sections only |
| Belgium |
recommended (from 1 October to 30 April) |
YES | from 1 November to 31 March (in case of extremely heavy winter conditions only) |
| Cyprus | NO | allowed
(in case of extremely heavy winter conditions) |
NO |
| Czech Republic | recommended*
(mandatory on the roads signalized with the relevant road sign) |
YES | NO |
| Denmark | препоръчително | NO | |
| Estonia | YES
from 1 December to 1 March |
YES |
YES from 15 October to 31 March |
| Finland | YES
during December, January, February |
YES from the beginning of November to the end of March |
|
| France | YES | YES | YES
from the last Suterday before 11 November to the last Monday of March |
| Germany | YES | YES | – |
| Greece | YES | YES | – |
| Hungary | NO | YES | NO |
| Ireland | NO | NO | NO |
| Italy | NO** | YES |
YES from 15 November to 15 March |
| Latvia |
YES From 1 December to 1 March |
YES |
YES from 1 December to 31 March |
| Luxembourg |
YES from 1 October to 31 March |
YES | YES
from 1 October to 31 March |
| The Netherlands | NO | YES | NO |
| Poland | NO | YES | NO |
| Portugal | NO | YES | NO |
| Slovakia | YES
from 15 November to 15 March |
YES | – |
| Slovenia | YES
from 15 November to 15 March |
YES | NO |
| Spain | NO | YES | – |
| Sweden | YES | YES |
YES from 1 October to 15 April |
| United Kingdom | НЕ | YES | – |
| Bulgaria | НЕ | YES | NO |
| Romania | YES
from 1 November to 31 March |
YES | NO |
| Croatia | YES | YES | NO |
| Macedonia | YES
from 15 November to 15 March |
YES | NO |
| Turkey | YES | YES | YES
(on specific and signalized road sections only) |
| Albania | NO | YES | NO |
| Andorra | recommended | YES | NO |
| Belarus |
YES from 1 December to 21 March |
YES | YES |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | YES
from 15 November to 15 March |
YES | NO |
| Iceland | YES
from 1 November to 15 April |
YES |
YES from 15 November to 15 April |
| Liechtenstein | NO | ДА | НЕ |
| Moldova |
YES from 1 December to 1 March |
YES | YES |
| Norway | NO | YES | YES |
| Russia | YES
from 1 December to 1 March |
YES | YES |
| Serbia and Montenegro | YES
from 1 November to 1 April |
YES | NO |
| Switzerland | NO*** | YES | YES |
| Ukraine | NO | YES | YES |
| Lithuania | YES
from 10 November to 1 April |
YES |
YES from 10 November to 1 April |
- * It is highly recommended to use winter tires (M + S) when driving in Czech Republic, at the temperature below 4 °C, or within the period from November 1 to March 31. The roads on which winter tires are mandatory, are equipped with the appropriate sign. In case of absence of winter tires – a fine is from CZK 1,500 to 2,500. .
- ** There is no legal requirement for the use of snow tires in Italy, but it is recommended that they are used. However, some road signs across Italy indicate when a snow chain or snow tires are compulsory. Moreover, any region can set their own time limits for the use of winter tires and snow chains
- *** Winter tires are not mandatory in Switzerland. However, vehicles that are not equipped with winter tires and occur a problem for the traffic, may be fined.
More information on the traffic rules, speed limits and et.c in the European countries click here.
