Winter tyres in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland: dates and rules
Updated October 2026
Each country sets its own dates for studded tyres and its own minimum tread depth. Here are the rules for passenger cars, from the road authorities and national bodies listed at the foot of the page.
Norway
- Studded tyres: from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, from 16 October to 30 April.
- Tread depth: at least 3 mm in that same winter period, studded or not; 1.6 mm in summer.
- If you use studs, they must be on all wheels.
- The dates give way to the weather: if the road needs it, studs and chains are allowed outside them, and the car must have winter tyres or chains whenever they are needed for grip.
Sweden
- Winter tyres required: 1 December to 31 March, whenever there are winter conditions — snow, ice, slush or frost on any part of the road.
- Studded tyres: allowed 1 October to 15 April, and outside those dates if there are, or are expected to be, winter conditions.
- Tread depth: at least 3 mm in the winter-tyre period.
Denmark
- No fixed winter-tyre dates, but since 1 July 2025 it is illegal to drive on tyres that are "obviously unsuitable" for the conditions. On snow, ice or slush that means winter tyres, or all-season tyres marked for winter.
- Studded tyres: allowed 1 November to 15 April.
- Tread depth: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm all year; 3 mm is recommended for winter.
Iceland
- Studded tyres: from 1 November until 15 April, unless conditions such as ice or snow call for them outside that period.
- Tread depth: at least 3 mm in winter (1 November to 14 April); 1.6 mm in summer.
Before you change
- Measure the tread on the winter set before the first frost, not on the morning it snows.
- Check each tyre for damage and uneven wear, and swap front and rear if the wear differs.
- If you store tyres at a garage, note which set is where and what the storage costs.
More guides
How to winterise your boat: a checklist
How to close your cabin for winter: a checklist
Sources
- Statens vegvesen (Norway): Tyre requirements
- Transportstyrelsen (Sweden): Vinterdäck
- Rådet for Sikker Trafik (Denmark): Regler om vinterdæk
- Rådet for Større Dæksikkerhed (Denmark): Vinterdækregler
- FÍB (Iceland): Hjólbarðar
Checked 2 October 2026. Rules change; the sources above have the current text.