| Winter tyres mandatory | 1 December 2026 – 1 March 2027 |
|---|---|
| Studded tyres allowed | 15 October 2026 – 31 March 2027 |
| Studded tyres in wintry road and weather conditions (exception) | 1 October 2026 – 30 April 2027 |
| Studless winter tyres | Allowed all year; during the mandatory period they must carry the three-peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) mark |
| Minimum winter tyre tread in the winter period | More than 3 mm (summer tyres 1.6 mm) |
Checked on 6 October 2026 against the requirements published by the Estonian Transport Administration (Transpordiamet).
There are three dates worth knowing in Estonia: when studded tyres may go on, when winter tyres become mandatory and when studs have to come off. The law sets the minimum, but the right time to change depends on the weather — a summer tyre compound hardens in the cold and loses grip well before the first snow.
What Estonian law requires
Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March. The obligation follows the calendar, not the weather: even in a snow-free December, winter tyres must be fitted.
Studded tyres are allowed from 15 October to 31 March. As an exception, in wintry road and weather conditions they may be used from 1 October until 30 April.
During the winter period a winter tyre must have more than 3 mm of tread. The minimum for summer tyres is 1.6 mm.
Studless tyres must carry the 3PMSF mark
Since 1 December 2022, a studless winter tyre on a car, light van or O2-category trailer counts as a winter tyre only if it carries the three-peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) mark. A tyre marked only M+S no longer meets the requirement during the mandatory period. Professional off-road tyres marked POR are exempt.
Every studless tyre we sell shows the 3PMSF mark in its product details — see our studless winter tyres.
When to change over in practice
A common rule of thumb is to fit winter tyres once the daily average temperature stays below about +7 °C. Below that, a summer tyre compound stiffens and braking distances grow even on dry roads.
Do not leave it to the last moment: workshop queues fill up quickly with the first snow. Booking in October or early November is sensible.
In spring, go back to summer tyres once the risk of night frost has passed — studded tyres must come off by 31 March at the latest (30 April in wintry conditions). For the spring changeover, read “When to fit summer tyres”.
Frequently asked questions
- When are winter tyres mandatory in Estonia?
- From 1 December to 1 March — for the 2026/2027 season, from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. The obligation follows the calendar: even in a snow-free December winter tyres must be fitted. In practice it is sensible to change earlier, once the temperature stays below about +7 °C.
- When may studded tyres be fitted?
- Studded tyres are allowed from 15 October to 31 March. If roads turn wintry earlier or stay icy longer, they may be used as an exception from 1 October until 30 April.
- Is an M+S tyre a winter tyre?
- Not during the mandatory period. Since 1 December 2022 a studless winter tyre on a car must carry the three-peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) mark; a tyre marked only M+S does not meet the requirement. Professional off-road tyres marked POR are exempt.
- Can I still drive on summer tyres in November?
- Legally yes, because the winter tyre obligation starts on 1 December. In practice it is risky: November often brings night frost, hoar and the first snow, and a summer tyre’s hard compound gives poor grip on cold roads.
- What is the minimum tread depth for winter tyres?
- During the winter period a winter tyre must have more than 3 mm of tread; the minimum for summer tyres is 1.6 mm. Safety-wise 3 mm is already a limit at which snow and wet grip have clearly deteriorated — many manufacturers recommend replacing a winter tyre at around 4 mm.
- When do studded tyres have to come off?
- By 31 March at the latest. If roads are still wintry in April, studded tyres may be used as an exception until 30 April. Studless winter tyres may be used all year.