Overview
- Austria’s weather-dependent winter equipment requirement is in force from Nov. 1, 2025 to Apr. 15, 2026, applying to residents, tourists and transit traffic during wintry conditions.
- Violations can bring about €100 in standard fines and up to €10,000 in severe cases, with minimum tread depths set at 4 mm for radial tyres and 5 mm for diagonal tyres.
- Driving on summer tyres in wintry conditions can trigger insurance recourse claims against the at‑fault driver even if third‑party liability covers the other party’s damage.
- Germany continues to apply a situational winter-tyre rule when roads are icy or snow-covered, and since Oct. 2024 only tyres with the Alpine (3PMSF) symbol qualify, with fines starting at €60 plus a point for noncompliance.
- All-season tyre sales rose 17% in 2024, and ADAC advises they can suit lowland, city and motorway driving if high quality, while recommending replacement from about 4 mm tread depth and around seven years of tyre age.