Winter equipment in Europe

Found: 31
CountryVehicle registration platesWinter equipment
AustriaA Mandatory use of winter tyres
BelgiumB -
BulgariaBG -
CroatiaHR On major roads, winter equipment is mandatory between 15 November and 15 April, regardless of weather conditions. All motor vehicles (weighing less than 3.5 t) must use winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels, or summer tyres with minimum tread depth of 4 mm + have snow chains in the vehicle, ready to use on powered wheels.

Buses and heavy goods vehicles must use snow chains on powered wheels or winter tyres (M+S).

On other roads, winter tyres (M+S) (or snow chains) are mandatory in winter conditions, when the road is covered with snow or ice.

Busses and heavy goods vehicles must carry snow chains or have winter tyres (M&S) fitted on powered wheels. Studded tyres are not allowed.
CyprusCY -
Czech RepublicCZ From 1 November to 31 March, in snow and ice.
DenmarkDK -
EstoniaEST From 1 December until 1 March.
FinlandFIN Mandatory use of winter tyres
FranceF -
GermanyD Mandatory use of winter tyres
GreeceGR -
HungaryH -
IrelandIRL -
ItalyI Mandatory use of winter tyres
LatviaLV From 1 December until 1 March
LiechtensteinL -
LithuaniaLT From 10 November until 31 March
LuxembourgL For all vehicles on public roads, in wintery conditions (snow and ice).
MaltaM -
NetherlandsNL -
NorwayN

Winter tyres are mandatory for heavy goods vehicles beyond 3.5 tons from 15 November to 31 March, except on lift axles.

Heavy goods vehicles beyond 3,5 tons are also required to be equipped with tyres with a tread depth of at least 5 mm and a sufficient number of snow chains:

  • from 1 November up to and including the second Monday after Easter Sunday
  • from 16 October up to and including 30 April in the northern parts of Norway (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark)

The use of studded tyres or snow chains is not permitted:

  • from the second Monday after Easter Sunday up to and including 31 October
  • from 1 May up to and including 15 October in the northern parts of Norway (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark)

There are no limitations on the use of non-studded winter tyres. You are allowed to use studded tyres or chains outside these dates if the road conditions require extra grip.

PolandPL -
PortugalP -
RomaniaRO On snowy and icy roads
SlovakiaSK If the road is entirely covered with snow or ice
For heavy goods vehicles and buses, on driven wheels from 15 November to 15 March and if the road is entirely covered with snow or ice
SloveniaSLO From 15 November to 15 March, and beyond these dates during wintry conditions
SpainE -
SwedenS From 1 December to 31 March, if the Swedish Police decides there are wintry conditions on given roads
Studded tyres may be used from 1 October to 15 April.
SwitzerlandCH -
United KingdomGB -
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Last update: 12/8/2015
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