Checked 30 September 2026

Driving to the ski resort: tolls, tyres and chains on the way

A toll map tells you what a car pays. This tells you what your vehicle needs in every country on the route: vignettes, tunnel tolls, winter tyres, snow chains, studded tyres and emission zones, in 21 countries, each rule linked to the official page it comes from.

Your trip

Vehicle

Pick where you start and where you are going, and the countries on the usual route appear here with every rule that applies to your vehicle.

The route is a country-level suggestion from typical road links, not turn-by-turn navigation. Add or remove countries to match your own route. Rules were checked on 30 September 2026 and change, often on 1 December or 1 January. A planning aid, not legal advice.

All 21 countries at a glance

For a car, van or motorhome up to 3.5 t. Each country page has the rules for heavy motorhomes and coaches, prices, tunnels, and the sources.

Country Road charge Winter tyres Studded tyres
Andorra No road charge; Envalira tunnel toll Winter tyres or chains on board, 1 Nov to 15 May, on every road Allowed 1 Nov to 15 May
Austria Vignette, plus tunnel and Brenner tolls Required in wintry conditions, 1 Nov to 15 Apr Allowed 1 Oct to 31 May (up to 3.5 t, rear sticker, 80/100 km/h)
Belgium No road charge; one tunnel toll in Antwerp No legal requirement Allowed 1 Nov to 31 Mar (rear 60 disc, 90 km/h on motorways, 60 km/h elsewhere)
Czech Republic Vignette Required in wintry conditions, 1 Nov to 31 Mar Banned
Denmark Bridge tolls only (Storebælt, Øresund) No legal requirement Allowed 1 Nov to 15 Apr
Estonia No road charge for cars Required 1 Dec to 1 Mar Allowed 15 Oct to 31 Mar (1 Oct to 30 Apr in wintry conditions)
Finland No road charge Required in wintry conditions, 1 Nov to 31 Mar Allowed 1 Nov to 31 Mar (and whenever conditions require)
France Motorway tolls by distance Winter tyres or chains on board, 1 Nov to 31 Mar, in the signed mountain zones Allowed 1 Nov to 31 Mar (90 km/h, rear disc)
Germany No road charge for cars Required whenever the road is wintry Banned
Hungary Vignette No legal requirement Banned
Italy Motorway tolls by distance Winter tyres or chains on board, 15 Nov to 15 Apr, on signed roads (Valle d'Aosta from 15 Oct) Unclear: allowed up to 3.5 t; the period is not confirmed on an official page
Latvia Free for cars; goods vans over 3 t pay Required 1 Dec to 1 Mar Allowed 2 Oct to 30 Apr
Lithuania Free for cars; N1 vans pay Required 10 Nov to 31 Mar Allowed 1 Nov to 9 Apr (rear stud sticker)
Netherlands No road charge; a few tunnel tolls No legal requirement Banned
Norway Toll roads and city rings (AutoPASS) No legal requirement Allowed 1 Nov to 4 Apr (until 4 Apr 2027 this season; north 16 Oct to 30 Apr)
Poland Tolls on three private motorway sections No legal requirement Banned
Slovakia Vignette Required whenever the road is wintry Banned
Slovenia Vignette, plus Karawanks tunnel toll Winter tyres or chains on board, 15 Nov to 15 Mar, on every road, and at any time in winter conditions Banned
Spain Tolls on a few motorways Only where signed Unclear
Sweden City congestion taxes and bridge charges Required in wintry conditions, 1 Dec to 31 Mar Allowed 1 Oct to 15 Apr
Switzerland Vignette, CHF 40 for the year No legal requirement Allowed 1 Nov to 30 Apr (banned on motorways, 80 km/h, rear 80 disc)

What drivers most often get wrong

Several of these surprised us too: they are where common advice online is out of date.

An Austrian vignette bought online can start 18 days late

Digital annual and 2-month vignettes bought online as a consumer (ASFINAG shop or app) are valid only from the 18th day after purchase: the EU 14-day withdrawal right plus 3 days for a postal withdrawal. Bought on 30 Sep 2026, the earliest start is 18 Oct 2026. To avoid the 18-day wait, buy at a toll station or sales partner (valid immediately, no withdrawal right). The 1-day and 10-day vignettes and digital section toll single trips, multi-trip cards and FLEX are valid immediately even when bought online.

All rules for Austria

Sources: oesterreich.gv.at, help.asfinag.at, shop.asfinag.at, ris.bka.gv.at, asfinag.at, go-maut.at

Studded tyres that are legal at home are banned on the way

Studded tyres are banned in Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, and the bans apply to foreign-registered cars too. A car from Estonia, Finland or Sweden on studs breaks the law the moment it enters Poland or Germany. Austria allows them only from 1 October to 31 May, on vehicles up to 3.5 t, with a rear sticker and lower speed limits.

Sources: api.sejm.gov.pl, zakonyprolidi.cz
  • api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2024/1251/text.pdf

    “2. Zabrania się kierującemu: ... 5) używania opon z umieszczonymi w nich na trwałe elementami przeciwślizgowymi.”

  • api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2024/1251/text.pdf

    “4. Zakazu, o którym mowa w ust. 2 pkt 5, nie stosuje się do: 1) pojazdów samochodowych biorących udział w rajdach zimowych i wyścigach zimowych za zgodą zarządcy drogi, ... 2) rowerów.”

  • zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2014-341

    “11. Vozidlo nesmí být vybaveno pneumatikami s protiskluzovými hroty, s výjimkou vozidel záchranné služby. Tento zákaz platí i pro vozidla v mezinárodním provozu.”

France: the winter equipment rule has no fine yet, the chains sign does

From 1 November to 31 March, inside signed mountain zones, either fit 4 winter tyres with the 3PMSF (Alpine) symbol or carry chains or snow socks for at least 2 driving wheels. Tyres marked only M+S count only if you also carry chains or socks. No fine is in force for the Loi Montagne obligation itself: the Interior Ministry said in Feb 2026 that the sanctions decree has not been published and the rule is applied 'pédagogiquement'. The often-quoted EUR 135 is not in force. Ignoring a B26 'chains compulsory' sign is a separate offence (2nd-class fine, max EUR 150).

All rules for France

Sources: service-public.gouv.fr, cerema.fr, senat.fr
  • service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389

    “Les préfets de 34 départements situés dans des massifs montagneux (Alpes, Massif central, Jura, Pyrénées, Vosges) doivent établir la liste des communes dans lesquelles un équipement des véhicules devient obligatoire en « période hivernale », c'est-à-dire du 1er novembre au 31 mars.”

  • service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389

    “les véhicules légers, les utilitaires et les camping-cars doivent [...] soit détenir des dispositifs antidérapants amovibles permettant d'équiper « au moins 2 roues motrices » [...] soit être équipés de 4 pneumatiques adaptés à la conduite hivernale (pneus hiver).”

  • service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389

    “Depuis l'hiver dernier, seuls les pneus 3PMSF sont admis en équivalence aux dispositifs antidérapants amovibles [...] L'achat et l'utilisation d'autres types de pneus neige restent possibles, mais les usagers doivent dans ce cas détenir également des dispositifs antidérapants amovibles.”

  • service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389

    “Des panneaux routiers indiquent aux usagers de la route, les entrées et les sorties de zones montagneuses où l'obligation d'équipements hivernaux s'applique. [...] La signalisation est nécessaire pour que la mesure soit opposable.”

  • cerema.fr/fr/actualites/pneus-hiver-obligations-du-decret-du-16-octobre-2020

    “Du 01/11/2021 au 31/03/2024 : les marquages obligatoires sont Mud an Snow (M+S, M.S ou M&S) ou présence conjointe du symbole alpin [...] A partir du 01/11/2024 : marquages symbole alpin et Mud and Snow (M+S, M.S ou M&S).”

  • senat.fr/questions/base/2025/qSEQ251106613.html

    “Depuis l'origine, la mesure a été appliquée de manière pédagogique, sans sanction. La mise en place d'une sanction nécessite le recours à un décret. [...] le décret appliquant les sanctions liées au non-respect de ce règlement n'a pas pu être publié en 2025.”

  • senat.fr/questions/base/2024/qSEQ241002126.html

    “Aucune sanction n'est applicable à l'heure actuelle, celles-ci devant être préalablement définies par un décret soumis à l'avis du Conseil d'État.”

M+S alone no longer counts as a winter tyre in several countries

Germany: Situational rule: in black ice, packed snow, slush, ice or frost, all wheels must have tyres with the Alpine symbol (3PMSF). Tyres marked only M+S no longer count. The same shift has happened in Sweden (December 2024), Spain (May 2026) and for the French mountain rule (November 2024); Estonia, Latvia and Finland ask for the 3PMSF snowflake on non-studded winter tyres. Check the marking on the sidewall before you leave.

All rules for Germany

Sources: gesetze-im-internet.de, adac.de
  • gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__2.html

    “Der Führer eines Kraftfahrzeuges darf dies bei Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eisglätte oder Reifglätte nur fahren, wenn alle Räder mit Reifen ausgerüstet sind, die [...] den Anforderungen des § 36 Absatz 4 der Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung genügen.”

  • gesetze-im-internet.de/stvzo_2012/__36.html

    “(4) Reifen für winterliche Wetterverhältnisse sind Luftreifen [...] die mit dem Alpine-Symbol (Bergpiktogramm mit Schneeflocke) nach der Regelung Nr. 117 [...] gekennzeichnet sind.”

  • gesetze-im-internet.de/stvzo_2012/__36.html

    “Das Hauptprofil muss am ganzen Umfang eine Profiltiefe von mindestens 1,6 mm aufweisen”

  • gesetze-im-internet.de/bkatv_2013/anlage.html

    “5a Fahren bei Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eis- oder Reifglätte ohne Bereifung, welche die in § 36 Absatz 4 StVZO beschriebenen Eigenschaften erfüllt [...] 60 € 5a.1 – mit Behinderung [...] 80 €”

  • gesetze-im-internet.de/bkatv_2013/anlage.html

    “213a Als Halter die Inbetriebnahme eines Kraftfahrzeugs bei Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eis- oder Reifglätte angeordnet oder zugelassen, dessen Bereifung [...] nicht erfüllt [...] 75 €”

  • adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/sicherheit/winterreifenpflicht-deutschland/ (motoring club)

    “Reifen, die nur eine M+S-Kennzeichnung (Matsch und Schnee) haben, sind bei winterlichen Straßenverhältnissen nicht mehr erlaubt. [...] Außerdem gibt es einen Punkt in Flensburg. Dem Halter drohen 75 Euro und ebenfalls ein Punkt.”

  • adac.de/news/auto-winterreifen-neue-regel-oktober/ (motoring club)

    “Von der Gesetzesänderung, die seit dem 1. Oktober 2024 gilt, sind nun insbesondere fast acht Jahre alte Reifen betroffen, die vor Januar 2018 hergestellt wurden und noch ohne das Bergpiktogramm mit Schneeflocke im Umlauf sind.”

Switzerland has no short vignette

Motorways and expressways (national roads I and II) need a vignette for every motor vehicle and trailer up to 3.5 t. Only an annual vignette exists: CHF 40, valid 14 months. A caravan or trailer needs its own vignette. No short-term vignette: CHF 40 even for a single day or a single transit.

All rules for Switzerland

Sources: bazg.admin.ch, fedlex.admin.ch, ch.ch, tcs.ch

Kraków asks foreign cars to register, even clean ones

Kraków has a clean transport zone (SCT) since 1 January 2026, covering about 60% of the city: petrol cars Euro 4 or built 2005+, diesel cars up to 3.5 t Euro 6 or built 2014+. Foreign-registered cars must be registered in the SCT system even if compliant; non-compliant visitors can pay (2.50 PLN/hour; in 2026 two hours cover the whole day). Warsaw's SCT (city centre) bans since 1 January 2026 petrol cars older than 26 years or below Euro 3 and diesels older than 17 years or below Euro 5.

All rules for Poland

Sources: ztp.krakow.pl, zdm.waw.pl

Driving to a ski resort, answered

Which countries need a vignette on the way to the Alps?

For a car up to 3.5 t: Austria (1-day vignette (digital only) €9.60), Switzerland (motorway vignette 2026 (e-vignette or sticker) CHF 40.00), Slovenia (weekly e-vignette, class 2a €16.00), Czech Republic (1-day vignette CZK 230), Slovakia (1-day e-vignette €8.10), Hungary (d1 daily (napi) e-vignette HUF 5550). Germany has no car toll. France and Italy charge motorway tolls by distance instead of a vignette; Spain and Poland charge cars only on a few motorway sections. Austria adds section tolls on its Alpine tunnels and the Brenner motorway, which the vignette does not cover.

Which countries ban studded tyres?

Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia. Where studs are allowed, the season and conditions differ: Austria 1 Oct to 31 May, Switzerland 1 Nov to 30 Apr but not on motorways, France 1 Nov to 31 Mar.

When are winter tyres compulsory in the Alps?

Austria: required in wintry conditions, 1 Nov to 15 Apr. Italy: winter tyres or chains on board, 15 Nov to 15 Apr, on signed roads (Valle d'Aosta from 15 Oct). France: winter tyres or chains on board, 1 Nov to 31 Mar, in the signed mountain zones. Germany: required whenever the road is wintry. Switzerland has no legal winter tyre rule, but a car that blocks traffic on summer tyres can be fined.

Is there a fine for driving without chains in France?

No fine is in force for the Loi Montagne obligation itself: the Interior Ministry said in Feb 2026 that the sanctions decree has not been published and the rule is applied 'pédagogiquement'. The often-quoted EUR 135 is not in force. Ignoring a B26 'chains compulsory' sign is a separate offence (2nd-class fine, max EUR 150).

Do I need a vignette for a motorhome or a coach?

Over 3.5 t most countries switch from a vignette to a distance toll with an on-board unit: Austria GO-Maut, Czechia Myto CZ, Slovakia emyto, Hungary HU-GO, Slovenia DarsGo and Poland e-TOLL. Poland charges buses regardless of weight. Switzerland charges heavy motorhomes and coaches a flat daily fee. Pick your vehicle in the planner above to see the rule for each country on your route.

How we checked

Each country was researched from the government, police, ministry or toll operator pages that set the rule, with a motoring club only as a second source or where no official page states it. For every rule we kept the sentence on the source page that supports it, in its own language: open "Sources" under any rule on a country page to read it. 1000 sources back the 21 countries, all read on 30 September 2026.

Where a rule could not be confirmed on an official page we left it out and listed it under "What we could not confirm" on that country's page. Rules and prices change, most often on 1 December and 1 January, so we re-check before each season. Found something out of date? Email info@intski.com.