Winter is coming, so drivers are wondering whether they need to change from summer tires to winter tires. There is no general winter tire obligation in Germany, but in winter road conditions, i.e. black ice, slippery snow, slush, ice or frost, you are only allowed to drive with winter tires. According to the European Consumer Center (ECC), the legally prescribed minimum tread depth for winter tires is 1.6 millimetres, but at least 4 millimetres is recommended for safe grip in winter conditions.
Current winter tires can be recognized by the Alpine symbol on the tire: Mountain with snowflake. Older all-season tires with M+S marking only are no longer permitted without the Alpine symbol. The transitional regulation for them expired on October 1, 2024.
Anyone who violates these rules must expect a fine of 60 euros; if others are obstructed, it costs 80 euros. There is also a point in the „traffic offender register“ in Flensburg.
If you cause an accident on summer tires in winter road conditions, your comprehensive insurance benefits may be reduced due to gross negligence. There may also be problems with the other party’s motor vehicle liability insurance in the event of an accident through no fault of your own, as they may assume that you were partly at fault.
If you are traveling abroad, you can find out which rules apply in other countries by clicking on the following link: Winter tires:
Winter tires: What are the regulations in Germany and Europe?
tun24100106
Winterreifen. Foto: tuenews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
002693
