Winter tyres and mountain passes by country
Winter tyres, snow chains and the Vršič Pass.
Home › Camping › Winter tyres and mountain passes per country
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
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.