Overview

• Since October 2024, only tyres bearing the Alpine pictogram qualify as winter tyres in Germany, so M+S-only models no longer count, including older all-season sets.
• Drivers face a €60 fine and one Flensburg point for unsuitable or worn tyres in wintry conditions, rising to up to €110 if others are endangered, according to ADAC.
• Legal tread minimum is 1.6 mm, yet experts advise roughly 4 mm for winter grip, with quick checks via TWI wear bars or coin tests such as the 2‑euro rim width.
• GTÜ urges inspection for cracks, bulges or uneven wear and notes rubber hardening from about six years, with replacement recommended by eight to ten years.
• Tyre age can be verified via the four‑digit DOT code (week/year), special six‑year limits apply to Tempo‑100 trailer tyres, and travellers should confirm stricter rules abroad such as Austria’s sub‑4 mm restrictions on some routes.