When are summer tires compulsory in Austria?

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When the first rays of spring sunshine melt the snow and the temperatures become more pleasant again, many drivers start thinking about changing from winter to summer tires. However, contrary to the widespread assumption that there is a legal obligation to change tires, in many countries, including Austria, there is no explicit summer tire obligation.
Which tires are considered summer tires?
Summer tires are specially designed to provide the best performance in warm temperatures and on dry or wet asphalt. They are characterized by a special rubber compound that ensures stability and grip even at high temperatures. The tread pattern of summer tires aims to ensure maximum grip and water drainage to prevent aquaplaning. Unlike winter tires, which have deep sipes for better grip on snow and ice, summer tires have a less deep but complex tread pattern that ensures safety on dry and wet roads.

Summer tires must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm.
Depending on the type of tire, winter tires must have at least 4 mm for radial tires and 5 mm for cross-ply tires.
The tires should be checked before fitting to ensure that the minimum tread depth is not exceeded shortly after fitting. There should be considerably more than the required tread depth.

When are summer tires compulsory in Austria?
In Austria, there is no legal obligation to use specially marked summer tires in the summer. Rather, the legal regulation refers to the situational winter tire obligation, which applies from 1 November to April 15, provided that winter conditions prevail.

This means you do not have to change your tires immediately after 15 April. Especially at higher altitudes, cold temperatures and wintry road conditions can still occur after this period. In these cases, you are safer on the road with winter tires. Outside of the situational winter tire obligation, it is up to the drivers themselves whether they use winter tires, summer tires, or all-season tires. The tires must only meet the general safety requirements and maintain a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm.

In which countries are summer tires mandatory?
While there is no explicit summer tire requirement in Austria, some countries place value on tires that are adapted to the season. However, this is often expressed by a winter tire requirement – as in Finland or Sweden. An explicit summer tire requirement only exists in Italy. With a few exceptions, winter tires are prohibited from 16 May to 15 October. In the summer, you can only legally drive with winter tires in Italy if the speed rating of the car and wheels matches. This means that the speed index on the tires must not be lower than the maximum speed permitted for the car in the registration certificate.

When should you change summer tires?
Although there is no legal obligation in Austria, experts recommend changing to summer tires as soon as the average temperature is permanently above 7 degrees Celsius. This is because the special rubber compound of summer tires offers better performance in warmer temperatures than winter tires, including shorter braking distances and reduced fuel consumption.

A good time to change tires is typically in the spring, between March and April, depending on local weather conditions. Drivers are generally advised to equip their vehicles according to the weather conditions. When changing tires, attention should also be paid to the tread depth and condition to ensure safety and efficiency.