Double tire rules in Europe

Rules on the use of winter tires vary by country. There are some countries in Europe, such as the UK and Denmark, where the law does not regulate their use at all.

However, in most cases, winter tires must be used during a certain period or when winter conditions prevail. The use of tire chains is required on certain road sections and in specific areas.

Studded winter tires are popular in the Nordic countries, but completely banned in countries such as Germany and Poland. In some countries, cars with studded tires have special speed limits and the use of studs must be announced with a sign on the car.

See table below:

DUBBDÄCKSREGLER I EUROPA / RULES FOR STUDDED TIRES IN EUROPE
COUNTRYCOUNTRYRULES/PERIOD/SPEED
RULESPERIOD
BelgiumBelgiumTNov – MarchR
BulgariaBulgariaF––
DenmarkDenmarkTNov 1-Apr 15–
EstoniaEstoniaTOct 15 – Mar 31 1)R
FinlandFinlandT1 Nov- April *–
FranceFranceT11 Nov – MarchR
ItalyItalyT15 Nov-15 MarchR
Croatia, CroatiaCroatiaF1 Oct/ Oct -30 April–
LatviaLatviaT1 Oct/Oct – 30 April–
LithuaniaLituaniaT1 Nov – 10 April–
LuxembourgLuxembourgTNov – April*R
The NetherlandsNetherlandsF––
NorwayNorwayTNov 1 – Sunday after Easter 2)–
PolandPolandF––
PortugalPortugalF––
RomaniaRomaniaF––
SlovakiaSlovakiaT15 Nov – March–
Spain, SpainSpainT15 Nov – March–
SwedenSwedenT1 Oct/Oct -15 April–
SwitzerlandSwitzerlandTNov – AprilR
Great BritainGreat BritainR1 Nov-10 April 3)–
Czech RepublicCzech RepublicT15 Nov – 31 March–
Germany (in German)GermanyF––
HungaryHungaryF––
Austria, AustriaAustriaTNov – AprilR

* First Monday after Easter
1) From 1 Oct and during April if winter conditions
2) South Norway 1 Nov – Sunday after Easter/South Norway 1 Nov – Sunday after eastern. Norra Norge
North Norway 16 okt/oct -30 april
3) Bara om det är snö/is på vägen/Only when snow/ice on the road
1) Från 1 okt och under april om vinterförhållanden/From 1 oct and during april if winter conditions .
2) Södra Norge 1 nov-söndag efter påsk /South Norway 1 nov – Sunday after eastern.
Norra Norge / North Norway 16 okt/oct – 30 april.
3) Bara om det är snö/is på vägen / Only when snow/ice on the road.
See complete legislation in each country’s regulations.