The short answer
From 15 November to 15 March every car on Kosovo’s roads must have winter equipment, whatever the weather. For cars up to 3.5 tonnes that means winter tyres with at least 4 mm of tread on all four wheels; summer tyres with chains are no longer enough since January 2026. Chains are only required for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. The fine for the driver is €40.
The essentials
- From 15 November to 15 March winter equipment is required, whatever the weather.
- Winter tyres with at least 4 mm tread on all four wheels; summer tyres with chains no longer count.
- The rule also applies to foreign-plated cars.
When the rule applies
Winter for drivers in Kosovo starts on 15 November and lasts until 15 March. Throughout that period the car must be equipped, whatever the weather that day. The Kosovo Police announce the start of the season every year.
What the car needs
| Vehicle | What is required |
|---|---|
| Up to 3.5 tonnes (cars) | Winter tyres only, with at least 4 mm tread on all four wheels |
| Over 3.5 tonnes | Winter tyres with at least 4 mm, chains on at least one driven axle and a shovel |
| All | Studded tyres are banned |
Until January 2026 summer tyres plus chains were also allowed. The new instruction removed that option: four millimetres of tread is now the legal minimum for winter tyres, and below that they lose grip on snow and ice.
All-season tyres and tyre markings
- M+S (or MS, M&S): tyres for mud and snow. Under the instruction this marking is enough in Kosovo, including on all-season tyres.
- Mountain and snowflake (3PMSF): a tyre tested on snow. The safer choice, and required in some EU countries.
- Age: the four digits on the sidewall give the week and year of manufacture. Tyres over six years old harden and grip less well.
The fine
Under road traffic law 08/L-186, in force since 3 April 2024, driving without winter equipment costs €40 for the driver and €60 for the company or institution on whose behalf they drive (Art. 227). When the road is covered with snow or ice, driving without winter equipment is banned outright.
For the diaspora coming in December
The rule applies to every car on Kosovo’s roads, including foreign-plated ones. If you come from Germany, Switzerland or Austria for the holidays, you must be equipped at the border, and on the way the rules of each country you cross apply. Before you leave, also check the border insurance: the Green Card is not valid in Kosovo.
Change your tyres before 15 November, not after the first snow. The queues at the tyre shop are shorter then, and this winter chains no longer replace winter tyres.
Frequently asked questions
From which date are winter tyres required in Kosovo?
From 15 November to 15 March, every year. The requirement applies for the whole period, even on days without snow.
Do all-season tyres count?
Yes, if they carry a winter marking. Under Administrative Instruction 09/2025 (Art. 6), tyres marked M+S, MS, M&S or 3PMSF count as winter tyres. The mountain-and-snowflake symbol (3PMSF) shows the tyre has been tested on snow and is the safer choice, especially if you drive through other countries.
Are summer tyres with chains enough?
Not any more. Under Administrative Instruction 09/2025, in force since January 2026, cars up to 3.5 tonnes need winter tyres on all four wheels. Chains are required for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, together with a shovel. For mountain roads they are still worth keeping in the boot, but do not fit them on roads free of snow and ice.
What is the fine for driving without winter equipment?
Under road traffic law 08/L-186 (Art. 227), the fine is €40 for the driver and €60 for a company or institution. When the road is covered with snow or ice, a car without winter equipment may not be driven at all, and the police can stop you continuing.
Does the rule also apply to foreign-plated cars?
Yes. Traffic rules apply to every car on Kosovo’s roads. Anyone driving in from Germany, Switzerland or Austria in December must already be equipped at the border.
Sources
Checked against the sources below. Rules can change: in individual cases the responsible authority decides.