Winter tyres and snow chains in Central Europe: rules for 2026/27

Only Austria and Czechia set a winter-tyre season for cars, and even there the duty applies only in wintry conditions. In all five countries, a chains-required sign applies even to cars already on winter tyres.

The rules at a glance

Austria: 1 November to 15 April

From 1 November to 15 April, cars and vans up to 3.5 t must have winter tyres when the road is covered in snow, slush or ice, says the transport ministry. Tyres marked M+S, M.S. or M&S or with the snowflake symbol count. The tread must be at least 4 mm on radial tyres and 5 mm on diagonal (cross-ply) tyres.

Chains on at least two drive wheels may replace winter tyres, but only when the road is completely or almost completely covered in snow or ice. Where the round blue chains sign stands, every car must have chains on at least two drive wheels.

Slovakia: any date, when it is wintry

Slovakia has no calendar period for cars. Under the road traffic law, a car or light van may be driven on a road with a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost only if all its axles have tyres with the alpine symbol or an M+S marking. If the time of year suggests snow, ice or frost on your route, the car must meet that rule before you set off. You must also clear off any ice and snow that could come loose from the car.

Winter tyres need at least 3 mm of tread (vehicle rules). Studded tyres are banned except for rescue services, and chains are allowed only where the road has enough snow or ice. Where the chains sign stands, chains are compulsory on at least one drive axle.

Czechia: 1 November to 31 March, and where signed

From 1 November to 31 March, a vehicle up to 3.5 t needs winter tyres on all wheels when there is a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost on the road, or when the weather suggests there may be one during the journey (road traffic law). The tread must be at least 4 mm.

The winter equipment sign means you may continue only if the car meets those rules, whatever the date or weather, unless a plate below it gives a different period. The chains sign requires chains on at least two drive wheels. With chains the limit is 50 km/h.

The government road-safety service BESIP accepts M+S markings and recommends tyres with the alpine symbol.

Hungary: chains by sign only

The Hungarian highway code has no winter-tyre duty, and the country's disaster management agency confirms that winter tyres are not compulsory and studded tyres are banned on public roads.

Where the snow chains sign stands, cars must have chains on at least one driven axle. If the sign is posted at a border crossing, only vehicles carrying chains ready to fit may enter Hungary. Chains are allowed only on snowy or icy roads, and the limit with them is 50 km/h.

Germany: alpine symbol only

Germany has no calendar period either. Under its traffic rules, in black ice, snow, slush, ice or frost a car may be driven only if all its wheels have tyres with the alpine symbol, a three-peaked mountain with a snowflake.

Since 1 October 2024, M+S tyres without the alpine symbol no longer count, even if made before 2018 (ADAC).

Where the chains sign stands, the road may be driven only with chains, and the limit with chains is 50 km/h.

What your navigation app does not know

A navigation app plans around traffic and road data. It does not know which tyres are on your car or whether chains are in the boot, so the first you may hear of a chains section is the sign itself. No arrival time includes the stop to fit chains. If the route may cross a chains section, carry chains made for your tyre size and practise fitting them once.

Some alpine roads close for the winter. The Grossglockner road is open only from early May to early November, so check the operator's page before crossing a pass. Then compare live times for your trip with Mapssy.

Official road information

• Austria: ASFINAG for congestion, roadworks and closures, with webcams.
• Slovakia: the motorway operator NDS maps current motorway restrictions.
• Czechia: dopravniinfo.gov.cz shows accidents, closures and restrictions.
• Hungary: Útinform has current traffic.
• Germany: autobahn.de publishes motorway traffic reports.