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Winter tyres

Winter tyres are tyres made for temperatures below about +7 °C, snow, ice and slush. In the Nordic and Baltic countries there are two main kinds: studded tyres with metal studs for ice, and Nordic friction (studless) tyres with a very soft compound and dense siping. In Estonia winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March.

Use when
Below about +7 °C, on snow, ice or slush
Two Nordic types
Studded and Nordic friction (studless)
Mandatory in Estonia
1 December – 1 March
Marking
3PMSF (three peaks + snowflake); ice grip symbol on Nordic models
Last reviewed 25.10.2026 · rules checked against Transpordiamet, Traficom and Transportstyrelsen
Find winter tyres by size
Show winter tyresSize is on the tyre sidewall, e.g. 205/55 R16.

Two kinds of Nordic winter tyres

Popular winter tyres in 205/55 R16

All sizes →

What makes winter tyres different

Soft compound

Winter rubber stays flexible in the cold. Summer rubber hardens below about +7 °C and loses grip.

Siping

Hundreds of thin cuts (sipes) open on snow and ice and give the tread biting edges.

Tread pattern

Deeper, more open blocks clear snow and slush and pack snow for snow-on-snow grip.

Studs (studded only)

Metal studs, typically with a hard carbide pin, dig into ice where rubber alone slips.

Best for

  • Drivers in Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Latvia from late autumn to spring
  • Anyone who drives on untreated or rural roads in winter
  • Cars parked outdoors and used early in the morning

Not the right choice for

  • Summer use: winter tyres wear fast and brake longer on warm, dry roads
  • Tyres with less than 3–4 mm tread left

Tyre rules by country

CountryWinter tyresStudded tyresTread depthMarking
EstoniaWinter tyres mandatory 1 December – 1 MarchStudded tyres 15 October – 31 March; 1 October – 30 April when there are winter conditionsWinter tread depth more than 3 mmNon-studded winter tyres on cars must carry the 3PMSF symbol (from 1 December 2022)Transpordiamet · ERR: studded tyre season · Your Europe: Estonia road rules
FinlandWinter tyres 1 November – 31 March when conditions requireStudded tyres allowed in the same period, outside it if conditions requireAt least 3.0 mm (5 mm recommended)Non-studded tyres must carry the 3PMSF symbol from 1 December 2024Traficom: winter tyres
SwedenWinter tyres 1 December – 31 March in winter road conditionsStudded tyres 1 October – 15 April, other times if winter conditions applyAt least 3 mm in winter conditionsWinter tyres must carry the 3PMSF (Alpine) symbol or be studded; no mixing of studded and non-studdedTransportstyrelsen: winter tyres

Rules change; the dates above were checked on 25.10.2026. Police can require winter tyres earlier or later when road conditions demand it.

Compare tyre types

TypeIcePacked snowSlushWet roadDry roadQuietness
Studded winter
Nordic friction
Central-European winter
All-season (3PMSF)
Summer

General guidance for typical tyres of each type; individual models differ. Compare the EU label and independent tyre tests for a specific model.

Frequently asked questions

When do I have to fit winter tyres in Estonia?

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March. Studded tyres may be used from 15 October to 31 March, and from 1 October to 30 April when there are winter conditions.

Studded or Nordic friction tyres: which is better?

Studded tyres grip best on bare ice and are the safer choice on rural roads and for less experienced drivers. Nordic friction tyres are quieter, work better in slush and on bare asphalt, and suit city and highway driving.

What does the 3PMSF symbol mean?

The three-peak mountain and snowflake symbol shows that the tyre passed a standardised snow grip test. In Estonia, non-studded winter tyres on cars must carry it.

What tread depth is required on winter tyres?

In Estonia the tread on winter tyres must be more than 3 mm. Grip on snow drops noticeably below 4–5 mm, so many drivers replace them earlier.

Can I use Central-European winter tyres in Estonia?

They are made for wet and slushy winters around 0 °C, not for Nordic ice. Check that any non-studded winter tyre carries the 3PMSF symbol and is intended for Nordic conditions.

Other tyre types