# Know How

European Breakdown Regulations

Stay safe during a breakdown

In case of a breakdown, it is important to take the following measures:

Stop in the emergency lane (hard shoulder) and switch on your hazard lights
Put on your reflective vest (safety vest)
Place the warning triangle 30m (100m on motorways) behind your vehicle
Take shelter behind the safety barrier and notify the police or third party assistance

Some countries, however, have local regulations regarding breakdowns. That is why we have compiled the list below to ensure you know what do to in each country.

Continental wishes you a safe journey.

Emergency number collection

Know what to do in case of a breakdown – no matter where you are in Europe!

Click on the countries below to see what’s required from a legal perspective and whom to contact in case of an emergency.

Winter tires not mandatory
Studs not allowed
Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in the vehicle
On mountain roads, it is recommended to use winter tires from 1.11.–30.04.

Winter tires not mandatory
M+S and Alpine symbol (3PMSF)
Snow chains, indicated by road signs
Snow chains must be used if winter condition or signs indicate

Situationally depending on wintery road conditions from 1.11. – 15.4.
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min. tread depth: 4,0 mm
If summertires are fitted chains for one driven axle are mandatory
Studded tires are allowed from 1.11. - 15.4.
If studded tires are fitted they are mandatory for all axles (incl. trailer)

Winter tires mandatory from 1.12. - 1.3.
Valid up to 3,5 t vehicles
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm
Winter tires have to be mounted on all 4 axles
Studded tires can be used as all other winter tires
M+S marking

Winter tires not mandatory
M+S tires with lower speed index accepted from 1st October to 30st April (labeling the max speed in the dashboard mandatory)
M+S marked tires with same/higher speed index accepted all the year round
Alpine symbol (3PMSF) tires with smaller speed index accepted all the year round (labeling the max speed in the dashboard mandatory)

Winter tires mandatory from 15.11.-15.04.
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight and not more than 8 seats
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm
Studs are not allowed

Winter tires not mandatory
Studs not allowed
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm mandatory from 01.11. - 31.3.

Winter tires mandatory
From 15.11. - 15.4.
Up to 3,5 tons
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm

Winter tires not mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight

Situationally depending on winterly road conditions from 1.11. - 31.3.
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm

Winter tires not mandatory
Studded tires allowed from 1.11. - 15.4.

Mandatory to use winter tires 1.12. – 1.3.
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm
Studded tires can be used from 15.10. - 31.03.
From 01.12.2022 Alpine symbol (3PMSF) required for studded tires (exception POR tires)

Mandatory to use winter tires 1.11. - 31.03., if road conditions require it
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm
Studded tires can be used from 1.11. - 31.03. or first Monday after Easter, outside this time can be used if "winter" conditions
Valid up to 3,5 t vehicle weight
M+S marking
Tires with M + S marking can still be used until November 30th, 2024. Thereafter, only tires with the Alpine symbol (3PMSF) or studded tires are considered winter tires

Based on a decision of the prefect, vehicle must use winter equipment (winter tires and/or snow chains) in the period from 1.11. to 31.03.
Winter tires shall be marked with Alpine symbol (M+S marked tires are allowed until 1.11.2024)
Snow chains, indicated by road signs
Snow chains must be used if winter condition or signs indicate

Depending on winter weather conditions
Situational winter tires are mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 1,6mm

Winter tires not mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 tons
Snow chains allowed, max. speed limit 50 km/h

Winter tires not mandatory

Winter tires not mandatory
Min. tread depth 1,6 mm

Winter tires not mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight

Winter Tire Obligation in places from 15.11. - 15.04.
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
M+S marking
Extention: 1 month for mounting (15.10. - 15.11.) and 1 month for dismounting (15.04. - 15.05.)
Min. tread depth 1,6 mm
Winter Tires allowed in summer (16.05. - 14.10.) if the speed index is the same or higher of the one in the vehicle registration paper

Winter tires mandatory from 01.12. - 01.03.
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm
Studded tires can be used from 01.10. - 01.05.

No general winter tire regulations, regional regulations are possible in winter road conditions (f.e Pass-Roads)
Min. tread depth for winter tires 1,6 mm
In case of an accident with summer tires in wintry conditions, be aware of liability issues
If authorities announce snow chain obligation, only snow chains are permitted (four-wheel drive may be excluded)
Use of snow chains in case of respective road signs and conditions
Studded tires are permitted for vehicles <7.5 t GVW between November 1 and April 30 or on snowcovered roads
Max speed 80 km/h
Vehicles with studded tires have to be labled with a sticker 80 km/h

Winter tires mandatory from 01.11. - 01.04.
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 1,6 mm
Studded tires can be used as all other winter tires during the mandatory winter period
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm

Depending on winter weather conditions
Valid up to 3,5 t vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min tread depth 1,6 mm

Winter tires mandatory from 15.11.-15.03.
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm
Studs not allowed

Winter tires not mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight

Depending on winter weather conditions from 01.12. - 31.03.
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
M+S marking
Studs allowed from 01.12. - 01.03.

Winter tires mandatory from 15.11. - 01.04.
Winter tires mandatory up to 3,5 tons
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm
M+S marking

Winter tires not mandatory

Depending on winter weather conditions
Valid up to 3,5 t vehicle weight
M+S especially developed for winter use and / or Alpine symbol (3PMSF)
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm
Studded tires allowed
From 01.11. to 1st Monday after Easter in the South
From 15.10. to 30.04. in the North

Winter tires not mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 t vehicle weight
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered with snow and ice
Studded tires not allowed

Winter tires not mandatory

Depending on winter weather conditions
Valid up to 3,5 tones vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 1,6 mm

Winter tires mandatory from 1.12. - 28.02.
M+S marking as well as Alpine symbol (3PMSF)
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm
If using studded tires, they have to be on all positions
Winter tires have to be mounted on all positions
Studs are forbidden from 01.07. - 30.09.

Depending on winter weather conditions
From 1.11. - 01.04.
Winter tires are mandatory up to 3,5 tons
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 4,0 mm

Depending on winter weather conditions
From 15.11. - 31.3.
Valid up to 3,5 t vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm
Snow chains must be used if signs indicate and can be used if winter condition
Forbidden to use spike tires

Winter tires mandatory from 15.11.-15.03.
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm
Studs not allowed

No winter tire obligation
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
Min. tread depth 1,6 mm

Depending on winter weather conditions from 01.12. - 31.03.
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight
M+S marking
Min. tread depth 3,0 mm
Studded tires allowed from 01.11. – 15.4.

No general winter tire regulations, regional regulations are possible in winter road conditions (f.e mountain passes)
Min. tread depth for winter tires 1,6 mm
In case of an accident with summer tires in wintry conditions, be aware of liability issues
If authorities announce snow chain obligation, only snow chains are permitted (four-wheel drive may be excluded)
Use of snow chains in case of respective road signs and conditions
Studded tires are permitted for vehicles <7,5 t GVW between 01.11. 30.04. or on snowcovered roads
Max speed 80 km/h
Vehicles with studded tires have to be labled with a sticker 80 km/h

Winter tires are mandatory from 01.12. - 01.04.
Valid for just commercial vehicles (including taxi, light trucks, trucks, buses)
Min. tread depth 1,6 mm
M+S marking

Winter tires not mandatory

Winter tires not mandatory
Valid up to 3,5 tons vehicle weight

Last updates

Denmark (2021/09): New telephone number

Spain (2021/10): Update of fitment restrictions

Slovenia (2021/10): Update of fitment restrictions

European breakdown regulation - Numbers

European Breakdown Regulations

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European Breakdown Regulations

Stay safe during a breakdown

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Stay safe during a breakdown

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