Overview
- Germany applies a situational requirement for winter or all‑season tyres bearing the Alpine symbol, with fines of €60 and a point for improper tyres, rising to €80 if others are impeded, and €75 plus a point for the vehicle owner.
- Austria enforces a winter equipment season from November 1 to April 15, with administrative fines starting around €100 and a maximum of €10,000 if others are endangered.
- All‑season tyres qualify for winter use only if they carry the Alpine (three‑peak mountain snowflake) mark, as M+S‑only labelling has not been valid since late 2024 and often appears on older models.
- Automobile clubs advise more than the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm, recommending about 4 mm for winter, and suggest replacing tyres after roughly six years due to rubber ageing.
- ÖAMTC notes snow chains are not a general substitute because they may be used only on snow‑covered roads, and cross‑border rules vary widely, including situational regimes in some neighbors and provincial rules in parts of Italy.