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Mandatory winter tyres

From when do you need winter tyres?

Snow and ice can come as a surprise. Winter tyres are now the be-all and end-all for a skid-free and safe journey. There is no specified date for fitting winter tyres. This is dependent on weather conditions, which can last for longer or shorter periods of time from one year to the next. If you want to be on the safe side, you can follow the tried and tested "O-to-E" rule (October to Easter).

Barum Polaris 5 winter tyre on a blue SUV in the snow

EU laws and legislation

The winter tyres regulations differ throughout Europe. What applies in Austria is not the same as in Belgium or France. Sometimes winter tyres are mandatory and sometimes they are only recommended. 


CountryWinter regulationsWinter periodStudded tyresMinimum tread depth
(in mm)
AlbaniaNo 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
BelgiumNo 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 symbol15.11. - 15.04.Forbidden4
Belarus- Winter tyres with M+S or 3PMSF01.12. - 01.03.Allowed4
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.Forbidden4
Croatia- Winter tyres with M+S symbol15.11 - 15.04. 4
CyprusNo obligation  1.6
Czech Republic- Winter tyres with M+S symbol01.11. - 31.03.Forbidden4
DenmarkNo 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 symbolMandatory 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
GreeceNo obligation  1.6
HungaryNo obligation   
Iceland- Winter tyres recommendedSituational winter tyresAllowed from 01.11. - 15.04.3
IrelandNo obligation   
Italy- Winter tyres with M+S symbol or snow chains on board15.11. - 15-04. only where mandatory by local authorities rules. 1.6
Kosovo- Winter tyres with M+S symbol15.11. - 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
LiechtensteinNo 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 tyresPermitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. - 30.04. or on snow covered roads.1.6
Lithuania- Winter tyres with M+S symbol01.11. - 01.04.Allowed from 01.11. - 01.04.3
Luxembourg- Winter tyres with M+S symbolSituational winter tyres 1.6
North Macedonia- Winter tyres with M+S symbol15.11. - 31.03.Forbidden4
MaltaNo obligation   
Moldova- Winter tyres with M+S symbolSituational 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 symbol15.11. - 01.04. 4
NetherlandsNo obligation  1.6
Norway- Winter tyres with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbolNorway 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 Forbidden1.6
PortugalNo obligation  1.6
Romania- Winter tyres with M+S symbolSituational winter tyresForbidden1.6
Serbia- Winter tyres with M+S symbol01.11. - 01.04. 4
Slovakia- Winter tyres with M+S symbol15.11. - 31.03.Forbidden3
Slovenia- Winter tyres with M+S symbol15.11. - 15.03.Forbidden3
SpainNo obligation Forbidden1.6
Sweden- Winter tyres with 3PMSF symbol01.12. - 31.03. if winter conditions.Allowed from 01.10. - 15.04.3
SwitzerlandNo 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 tyresPermitted 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 symbol01.12. - 01.04.Forbidden1.6
Ukraine- Winter tyres with M+S and/or 3PMSF symbol Allowed4
United KingdomNo obligation   

Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct and complete.

M + S

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.

Snow Grip

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

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.

Registering tyre approval

What you should pay attention to: If you want to change your tyres, you must have the tyre approval in the vehicle documents changed. An approved test centre will make the following changes to your documents.

In some cases, the test centre might also require confirmation from the vehicle manufacturer of the ABS/ASR suitability* of the tyre/wheel combination.

Winter Tyre Graphic Describes the different labeling of the tyres regarding the weather conditions

Is your old set of winter tyres only marked with the M+S symbol? Don't worry, the transition period runs until 30 September 2024. Only after this period expires do you have to have winter tyres with the snowflake symbol.

Our Expert's Advice:

Barum Expert with friendly Gesture

The M + S sign on the tyre indicates that it is suitable for driving in mud and snow.

At what temperature do winter tyres become sensible?

We recommend fitting your winter tyres when the temperature drops and stays steady below seven degrees Celsius. Whether you change your tyres in accordance with the "O-to-E" rule or in October or December depends on the weather conditions. Until when can you drive with winter tyres? Change your tyres a little later in the year if the temperatures in spring are still below seven degrees Celsius. The opposite applies for mild temperatures in autumn or winter.

There is no obligation to fit summer tyres. In principle, you can drive on winter tyres all year round without a problem. But does it make sense to go without changing the tyres?


Is using winter tyres in summer sensible?

Driving with winter tyres in the summer is allowed, but it is not advisable. We strongly recommend that you change your tyres twice a year, even without a law in place. Why?

Winter and summer tyres are designed differently. Summer tyres are harder and have a special tread pattern that reduces the risk of aquaplaning. Conversely, winter tyres have a softer rubber compound that is optimally adapted for the cold season. This is especially noticeable when braking. The pronounced tread pattern ensures good traction in snow, black ice and slush, unlike in summer. The different tyre design also has an effect in other areas. Winter tyres offer the best performance with regard to fuel consumption and driving comfort only at the appropriate time of year.


What makes winter tyres efficient at low temperatures?

Winter tyres are specially designed to deliver full driving performance in cold temperatures. Their rubber compound has a greater proportion of natural rubber. They remain flexible even below seven degrees Celsius and they have a better grip on the road. The grooves and ribs on the tyre tread are deeper than those of summer tyres. This ensures good driving on snow. How are these properties affected by higher temperatures? They are less efficient. Winter tyres have a higher rolling resistance in warm weather and a significantly longer braking distance. That means at temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius, your car will come to a standstill up to seven metres further on than with summer tyres. Therefore, winter tyres should only be used in the appropriate weather conditions.

Our conclusion: Change your tyres to match the weather conditions. This will save energy and fuel and ensure greater driving safety. Always keep the winter tyres law in mind in cold temperatures. When you should change to winter tyres depends on the country and the region.


Which vehicles are exempt from the winter tyre requirement?

Some vehicles are exempt from the winter tyre requirement in snow and ice conditions. This includes:

  • Commercial vehicles used in agriculture and forestry
  • Single-track motor vehicles such as motorcycles, mopeds or bicycles
  • Forklifts suitable for picking up, lifting, moving and positioning loads
  • Emergency vehicles from the police, federal armed services or fire service and the disaster control department
  • Special vehicles for which there are no Class C1, C2 or C3 tyres. (cars, camper vans, buses)

Our Expert's Advice:

Friendly Barum Expert with Clipboard in his Hand

Tyre Class C1 is for cars, C2 for light commercial vehicles and C3 for heavy commercial vehicles.

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