4x4 Glossary
From A-Z: All you need to know about 4x4 cars, tyres and beyond.
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2023/09/12
The usage of winter tires is governed by different laws in different nations and even geographical areas. So, where in Europe are winter tyres required?
Because normal local temperatures vary, please keep in mind that rules may be updated or amended. For this reason, we advise you to confirm local laws before departing on a winter vacation abroad.
EU laws and legislation Winter 2024/2025
| Country | Winter regulations | Winter period | Studded tires | Minimum tread depth (in mm) |
| Austria | - Winter tires with M+S symbol and/or 3PMSF - Summer tires are fitted chains for one driven axle are mandatory | 01.11 to 15.04 - if winter conditions | allowed with spike sticker on car, but forbidden from 01.06. - 30.09. | 4 |
| Belgium | No obligation | allowed from 1.11 to 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 symbol | 15.11. - 15.04. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Belarus | - Winter tires with M+S or 3PMSF | 01.12. - 01.03. | Allowed | 4 |
| Bulgaria | - Winter tires with M+S or 3PMSF | 15.11. - 01.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Croatia | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 15.11 - 15.04. | 4 | |
| Czech Republic | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 01.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Denmark | No obligation | Allowed from 01.11. - 15.04. | 1.6 | |
| Estonia | - Winter tires with 3PMSF symbol | 01.12. - 01.03. | Allowed from 15.10. - 31.03. | 3 |
| Finland | - Winter tires need to be studded or marked with 3PMSF symbol - Winter tires with a minimum tread depth of the principal grooves of 3.0 millimetres | Mandatory 01.11. - 31.03. if so required by weather or road surface conditions | Can be used from 1 November to 31 March and also during other periods if so required by weather or road surface 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 1-11 to 31-03 - M+S marked tires are allowed until 1.11.2024 | 01.11. - 31.03. | allowed from 01.11. - 31.03. or Easter in "winter" conditions. | 1.6 |
| Germany | In wintry weather conditions vehicles must be fitted with tires marked with 3PMSF | Situational winter tires | Studded tires prohibited. Exception: Route via "Kleines Deutsches Eck" and Emergency Vehicles. | 1.6 |
| Greece | In wintry weather conditions vehicles must be fitted with tires marked with M+S or snow chains | situational winter tires | prohibited | 1.6 |
| Hungary | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Ireland | No obligation | |||
| Italy | - Winter tires with M+S symbol or snow chains on board | 15.11. - 15-04. only where mandatory by local authorities rules. | 1.6 | |
| Kosovo | Winter equipment for passenger vehicles up to 3.5t and transport vehicles are winter pneumatics on all wheels or summer pneumatics with the minimum tread depth of 4 mm, with snow chains placed in traction wheels | 15.11. - 01.03. | prohibited | 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 |
| Liechtenstein | The same laws apply in Liechtenstein as in Switzerland. No 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 tires | permitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snowcovered roads | 1.6 |
| Lithuania | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 01.11. - 01.04. | Allowed from 01.11. - 01.04. | 3 |
| Luxembourg | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | Situational winter tires | 1.6 | |
| North Macedonia | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Montenegro | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 01.04. | 4 | |
| Netherlands | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Norway | - Winter tires with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol | Norway 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 | No obligation | No obligation | Forbidden | 1.6 |
| Portugal | No obligation | No obligation | no obligation | 1.6 |
| Romania | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | Situational winter tires | Forbidden | 1.6 |
| Serbia | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 01.11. - 01.04. | forbidden | 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. | Forbidden | 3 |
| Slovenia | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 15.03. | Forbidden | 3 |
| Spain | No obligation | no obligation | Forbidden | 1.6 |
| Sweden | - Winter tires with studs and/or 3PMSF symbol | 01.12. - 31.03. if winter conditions. | Allowed from 01.10. to 15.04. Please note exceptions on specific roads. | 3 |
| Switzerland | No 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 tires | Permitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snow covered roads. | 1.6 |
| Türkiye | It is obligatory to equip vehicles used for passenger and goods transport with winter tires 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 withr M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall. | 01.12. - 01.04. | Forbidden | 1.6 |
| Ukraine | - Winter tires with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol | no obligation | Allowed | 1.6 |
| United Kingdom | No obligation |
Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct and complete.
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.
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 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.
