# Vinterverden
Vinterdekk og loven
Når er det lovpålagt å bruke vinterdekk i andre europeiske land?
Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct and complete.
Vinterdekk og loven
- Det er på tide å skifte til vinterdekk når temperaturen synker.
- Generelt sett burde man skifte til vinterdekk mellom oktober og april.
- Hvis du er usikker på når du skal skifte dekk er det lurest å forholde seg til lokale lover og regelverk.
Når bladene blir brune, dagene kortere, og luften føles skarpere, da vet du at vinteren er i anmarsj. Det betyr at det er på tide å bytte bilens sommerdekk til vinterdekk. Du vet sikkert at vinterdekk - noen ganger referert til som snødekk - er et obligatorisk krav i flere europeiske regioner, men når og hvor blir endringen obligatorisk?
Finn ut når du skal bytte dekk på bilen din - eller skroll ned for å se hvor i Europa vinterdekk er lovpålagt.
Hvor i Europa er vinterdekk lovpålagt?
Når temperaturen synker sørger vinterdekk for langt større trafikksikkerhet sammenlignet med sommerdekk. Du kan velge dem frivillig, slik at du kan stole på dekkene dine i snø og isete forhold. Men hvis du fortsatt er usikker på om du vil bytte, viser kartet nedenfor hvilke europeiske land som har vinterdekklover som gjør dem obligatoriske. Vinterdekk gjenkjennes ved spesielle merker på sideveggen. Tidligere har det velkjente M+S-merket vært tilstrekkelig som et vinterdekkmerke. 3PMSF-symbolet (snøfnugg) er nå obligatorisk for vinter- eller helårsdekk som er produsert etter 1. januar 2018. I overgangsperioden til 30. september 2024 er M+S-dekk tilstrekkelige for å overholde vinterdekklovene som er listet opp nedenfor. Velg landet ditt fra listen for å sjekke de nøyaktige kravene.
European Winter Tire Regulations for Passenger and Light Truck Tires - Winter 2024/2025
| Country | Winter regulations | Winter period | Studded tires | Minimum tread depth (in mm) |
| Albania | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Austria | - Winter tires with M+S symbol and/or 3PMSF - Summer tires 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 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 symbol / but listed in no obligation - DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF | 01.11. - 31.03. | Forbidden | 4 |
| Croatia | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | 15.11 - 15.04. | 4 | |
| Cyprus | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| 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 M+S symbol - From 01.12.2022 3PMSF required for studded tires (exception POR tires) - DOT < 5217 can M+S and DOT > 0118 need 3PMSF | 01.12. - 01.03. | Allowed from 15.10. - 31.03. | 3 |
| Finland | - Winter tires 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 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 01-11 - 31.03 | 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 | No obligation | 1.6 | ||
| Hungary | No obligation | |||
| Iceland | - Winter tires recommended | Situational winter tires | Allowed from 01.11. - 15.04. | 3 |
| 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 tires with M+S symbol | 15.11. - 01.03. | 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 | 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 |
| 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 |
| Malta | No obligation | |||
| Moldova | - Winter tires with M+S symbol | Situational winter tires, mandatory from 01.12. - 28.03. | Allowed from 01.09. - 01.06. but only on snow covered or ice covered roads. | 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 | - Winter tires with 3PMSF symbol recommended but not mandatory | Forbidden | 1.6 | |
| Portugal | 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. | 4 | |
| Slovakia | '-Winter tyres with M+S or 3PMSF symbols. - Winter tyres with 3PMSF symbol can be used in lower tyre speed symbol (Speed symbol Q- 160 km/h or slower) than the one specified by vehicle manufacturer. - Winter tyres with only M+S symbol must follow required tyre 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 | Forbidden | 1.6 | |
| Sweden | - Winter tires 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 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 obli[1]gatory to fit winter tires on all axles of light trucks, vans and taxis, minibu[1]ses, vans and commercial cars. Tire replaced on the road in winter must be winter tire with 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 | Allowed | 4 | |
| United Kingdom | No obligation |
Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct and complete.
Tires marked with M+S (Mud+Snow) provide a tread pattern or structure that is designed to deliver performance that exceeds that of a standard tire in snowy conditions. The M+S label is not subject to a defined test procedure.
Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tires deliver winter performance that is legally certified. These tires have to pass a test on a snow-covered road and have at least 25% better traction than a standard reference tire.
Winter tires from Continental are marked with the snowflake symbol on the tire wall. Not only do Continental winter tires easily outperform M+S tires, they also significantly exceed the requirements of the “Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake“ symbol (3PMSF). The development of winter tires from Continental is based on many years of experience and practical knowledge gained from using the tires in the low temperatures found in Scandinavian countries. These special winter tires offer a distinct advantage for a safe journey on snow-covered or icy roads.
Other compulsory requirements for tires
Whether you have all-season tires or winter tires, there are other things to consider to ensure optimum vehicle safety and tire performance in snow. Again, every country has slight variations, so check the list or ask your tire specialist. For example, in some areas, winter tire tread depth must be a minimum of 1,6 mm, while in others, tire tread depth should be 4 mm. Always consider the legal regulations of your country and take into account that tire performance, especially on wet surfaces, decreases with tread depth. To ensure reliable traction and excellent grip on snow and ice-covered surfaces, your tires should always have sufficient tread. Additionally, your tires should have the correct tire pressure to ensure your vehicle can brake in snow and ice with good traction, grip and handling.
