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 tyres 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
| Country | 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.
