Overview

• Germany has no fixed October‑to‑Easter tyre mandate, as the law requires suitable tyres only when roads are icy, snowy or slushy.
• ADAC cites penalties of €60 and one Flensburg point for drivers caught in winter conditions on summer tyres, with €75 and one point for vehicle owners.
• If missing winter tyres contributed to a crash, insurers generally pay but may reclaim up to €5,000, and claimants without proper tyres can face partial liability.
• The legal tread minimum is 1.6 mm, while ADAC recommends about 4 mm for winter use and replacing tyres after roughly six years due to compound hardening.
• Experts advise winter or quality all‑season tyres below about 7°C, with all‑season options often sufficient for city driving and potential savings from buying online with workshop mounting.