Winter tyres and mountain passes by country

Winter tyres, snow chains and the Vršič Pass.

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On holiday you don't want to worry about rules, but you don't want a surprise at the border or by the roadside either. That's why we looked it up for each country, always with the source.

Compiled and checked by Arjan (Zuidlaren) · sources are given with the text · updated 20 October 2026 · About this site

Winter tyres and snow chains by country according to the ANWB, plus the Vršič Pass in Slovenia. Always check the current road status before you drive up a mountain pass.

Go to: Slovenia · Croatia · Hungary · Czechia · Poland · Slovakia · Montenegro · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Serbia · North Macedonia · Albania · Kosovo · Romania · Bulgaria · Moldova · Estonia · Latvia · Lithuania

Practically by country →

Slovenia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres or well-fitting snow chains are mandatory from 15 November through 15 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Slovenia
Outside that period they are also mandatory in winter conditions. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Slovenia
Vršič (1,611 m) is Slovenia's highest road pass, with 50 hairpin bends (24 on the Kranjska Gora side, 26 on the Trenta side). The road is narrow and in places steep. Source: Kranjska Gora: Vršič Pass and the Russian Road
Vršič can be closed by snow in winter; then you can only drive to the Koča na Gozdu hut. There is limited parking at the top of the pass. Source: Kranjska Gora: Vršič Pass and the Russian Road
The Slovenian motoring club AMZS calls the road demanding for cars and does not recommend it for trailers and caravans. Source: AMZS: Vršič

Croatia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

On many major roads, winter tyres or snow chains are mandatory from 15 November through 15 April, regardless of the weather. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Croatia

Hungary

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are not mandatory, but recommended. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Hungary

Czechia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions, from 1 November through 31 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Czechia

Poland

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are not mandatory, but recommended. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Poland

Slovakia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions (snow, sleet, icy roads). Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Slovakia
Minimum tread depth: 3 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Slovakia

Montenegro

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions, from 15 November to 1 April. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Montenegro
Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Montenegro

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 November through 1 April. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Exception: summer tyres with at least 4 mm tread are allowed if you carry snow chains in the car. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions, from 1 November to 1 April. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Serbia
Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Serbia

North Macedonia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 15 November through 15 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, North Macedonia
Exception: snow chains in the car and summer tyres with at least 4 mm tread (6 mm for four-wheel drive). Source: ANWB: traffic rules, North Macedonia

Albania

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are not mandatory, but recommended. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Albania

Kosovo

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 15 November through 15 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Kosovo
Outside that period they are also mandatory in winter conditions. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Kosovo
Exception: summer tyres with at least 4 mm tread are allowed if you carry snow chains in the car. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Kosovo

Romania

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions (snow, sleet, icy roads). Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Romania
Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Romania

Bulgaria

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 15 November to 1 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria

Moldova

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions (snow, sleet, icy roads). Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Moldova

Estonia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Estonia
Only tyres with the snowflake symbol (3PMSF) count as winter tyres. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Estonia
Minimum tread depth: 3 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Estonia

Latvia

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Latvia
Only tyres with the snowflake symbol (3PMSF) count as winter tyres. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Latvia
Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Latvia

Lithuania

Winter tyres and mountain passes

Winter tyres are mandatory from 10 November to 1 April. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Lithuania
Minimum tread depth: 3 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Lithuania

Rules and fines may change and confuse by municipality. Each line contains the source; see if you're in park management before you go. This isn't legal confuse.