Tyres for:
This is not an easy question, but our tipps and instructions will help you to be well prepared for the different winter tyre obligations in Europe
Cold temperatures, ice, and snow cause slippery and difficult driving conditions. For your own safety it is advisable to fit winter tyres to your vehicle during the colder season voluntarily. But please note that in several European countries there are laws and regulations that make the switch to winter tyres mandatory.
| Countries | Winter regulations | Winter period | Studded tyres | Minimum tread depth (in mm) |
| Albania | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Austria | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol and/or 3PMSF - Summer tyres must be equipped with snow chains on at least one drive axle (if allowed). | 01.11. - 15.04. if winter conditions. | Allowed with spike sticker on car, but forbidden from 01.06. - 30.09. | 4 |
| Belgium | No obligation | Allowed from 01.11 - 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 tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 15.04. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Belarus | - Winter tyres with M+S or 3PMSF | 01.12. - 01.03. | Allowed | 4 |
| Bulgaria | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol / but listed in no obligation - DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF | 01.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Croatia | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11 - 15.04. | 4 | |
| Cyprus | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Czech Republic | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 01.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Denmark | No obligation | Allowed from 01.11. - 15.04. | 1.6 | |
| Estonia | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol - From 01.12.2022 3PMSF required for studded tyres (exception POR tyres) - DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF | 01.12. - 01.03. | Allowed from 15.10. - 31.03. | 3 |
| Finland | - Winter tyres with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol | Mandatory 01.11. - 31.03. if winter conditions. | Allowed from 01.10. - 31.03. or Easter in "winter" conditions. | 3 |
| France | - Winter tyres shall be marked with 3PMSF (Alpine) symbol from 01-11 - 31.03 - M+S marked tyres are allowed until 01.11.2024 | 01.11. - 31.03. | Allowed from 01.11. - 31.03. or Easter in "winter" conditions. | 1.6 |
| Germany | - Winter tyre with 3PMSF symbol - DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF | Situational winter tyres | 1.6 | |
| Greece | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Hungary | No obligation | |||
| Iceland | - Winter tyres recommended | Situational winter tyres | Allowed from 01.11. - 15.04. | 3 |
| Ireland | No obligation | |||
| Italy | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol or snow chains on board | 15.11. - 15-04. only where mandatory by local authorities rules. | 1.6 | |
| Kosovo | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 01.03. | 4 | |
| Latvia | - Winter tyres 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 | 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 tyres are considered winter tyres. | Situational winter tyres | Permitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snow covered roads. | 1.6 |
| Lithuania | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 01.11. - 01.04. | Allowed from 01.11. - 01.04. | 3 |
| Luxembourg | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | Situational winter tyres | 1.6 | |
| North Macedonia | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Malta | No obligation | |||
| Moldova | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | Situational winter tyres, mandatory from 01.12. - 28.03. | Allowed from 01.09. - 01.06. but only on snow covered or ice covered roads. | 4 |
| Montenegro | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 01.04. | 4 | |
| Netherlands | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Norway | - Winter tyres 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 | - Winter tyres with 3PMSF symbol recommended but not mandatory | Forbidden | 1.6 | |
| Portugal | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Romania | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | Situational winter tyres | Forbidden | 1.6 |
| Serbia | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 01.11. - 01.04. | 4 | |
| Slovakia | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 3 |
| Slovenia | - Winter tyres with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 15.03. | Forbidden | 3 |
| Spain | No obligation | Forbidden | 1.6 | |
| Sweden | - Winter tyres with 3PMSF symbol | 01.12. - 31.03. if winter conditions. | Allowed from 01.10. - 15.04. | 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 tyres are considered winter tyres. | Situational winter tyres | Permitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snow covered roads. | 1.6 |
| Türkiye | - Winter tyres with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol | 01.12. - 01.04. | Forbidden | 1.6 |
| Ukraine | - Winter tyres with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol | Allowed | 4 | |
| 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.
Choose the right tyre for safe winter trips. Winter tyres can be identified by special markings on the sidewall of the tyre.
For a reliable performance on icy and snowy road we recommend Semperit SPEED-GRIP 5. The attractive pattern of this winter tyre and its exceptional shoulder design guarantee a new level of stability in cornering for worry-free winter rides. The innovative technology of the sipe system with different angles ensures excellent grip and handling and shows reliable braking performance. In sum, Speed-Grip 5 combines strong winter features with a reliable dry handling and will impress you on both - dry and wet roads.
Experts do clearly recommend using winter tyres with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol and a sufficient tread depth – please note different winter tyre regulations across Europe.
Experts say: At a constant low temperature, we advise the use of winter tyres.
Several countries in Europe recommend or stipulate a set date for the seasonal tyre change. The period for winter tyres usually starts in November and ends in April. But of course, it is up to you, whether you start using winter tyres earlier. In case of constant low temperatures or a sudden onset of winter it is advisable to switch to winter tyres. The same applies in spring: if the weather conditions remain cold and wintery you can continue to use your winter tyres.
The answer to this question is a clear no. Safe driving on winter roads can only be guaranteed with a set of reliable winter tyres. There are several arguments against the use of summer tyres in wintertime.
Winter tyres perform the best at cold temperatures due to the rubber compound of the tyres. A higher percentage of natural caoutchouc guarantees a better grip and flexibility, while the profile ensures secure driving on ice and snow by virtue of the profound tread patterns and sipes.
Lower tread depth causes a decline of the braking performance on ice or snow-covered roads. Therefore, it is advisable to keep track of your tyre profile. Legal requirements vary strongly from one country to another. You must absolutely replace tyres when the tread depth falls below 1.6 mm – this is not only unsafe but also illegal. Some countries do request even higher standards though – e.g. Finland and Norway: 3 mm, Romania: 2 mm, Serbia or Austria: 4 mm.
We recommend consulting local laws and considering the regional weather conditions before taking a trip abroad in winter. For your own security please consider that tyre performances decrease with the tread depth.
