If you've moved to Switzerland from a country with a fixed winter-tyre law, the Swiss approach can seem confusingly relaxed: there is no date on which winter tyres become compulsory. Don't be fooled — driving badly equipped in winter can still cost you dearly.
The "roadworthy vehicle" rule
Swiss law requires your vehicle to stay under control in all conditions. If you cause an accident or block traffic on snow or ice with summer tyres, you can be held liable, your insurer may reduce its cover, and a fine is possible. In other words, the obligation is de facto, even without a date on the calendar.
The "O to O" rule of thumb
Many drivers here follow the principle of running winter tyres from October to Easter ("O to O"). It isn't a law, but it's a sensible marker for the climate of the plateau and the pre-Alps.
Which tyre, for which routes?
- Lowland cities (Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Bern): good winter or quality all-season tyres are often enough.
- Passes and ski resorts: winter tyres marked 3PMSF (the snowflake), and snow chains in the car — sometimes compulsory where the sign shows them.
The wear marker
A winter tyre loses its edge well before the legal limit of 1.6 mm. Many specialists suggest replacing at around 4 mm in winter. We always fit in pairs to keep the axle balanced.