Winter Tyres in Poland: Are They Mandatory? Tread, Chains
Short answer: No law obliges drivers in Poland to use winter, summer or all-season tyres. Minimum tread is 1.6 mm on tyres without wear indicators, and sign C-18 requires snow chains.
Winter is coming and many newcomers ask the same thing: do I have to switch to winter tyres in Poland? The short answer from the Polish Police is no, there is no legal duty to use winter, summer or all-season tyres. But there are other tyre rules that do apply all year, and some roads require snow chains. Facts are as of 15 October 2026, and the sources are dated as noted below.
Is there a winter tyre requirement?
Police traffic officers in Kraków (Wydział Ruchu Drogowego KWP w Krakowie), in a series that is republished on regional police sites, state it directly: Polish law contains no provisions that oblige a driver to use winter, summer or all-season tyres. The same text adds that, for safety, winter tyres are recommended in the cold season. It explains that even without snow on the road, summer tyres lose a lot of grip at low temperatures, and that a winter tyre used in summer months also does not guarantee proper grip.
The Ministry of Infrastructure took the same position in a reply to a public petition dated 31 October 2023. The petition asked for a seasonal tyre-change duty and was rejected. The Ministry noted that all-season tyres exist and that they are especially justified for vehicles driving mostly in cities, and said that, according to industry research, about 80% of drivers change tyres to suit the weather. This is a 2023 document, so check whether anything has changed before you rely on it for a long-term decision.
* Photos: "Studless tire 2" and "Tread pattern design, NHTSA The Pneumatic Tire", Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Rules that apply to every tyre, all year
The police summary of the Road Traffic Act and the technical regulation for vehicles lists general requirements:
- A vehicle must have pneumatic tyres with a load rating suited to the wheel load and a speed rating suited to the vehicle's maximum speed.
- Tyre pressure should match the manufacturer's recommendation for that tyre and load. The permitted sizes and load and speed indexes are in the vehicle manual.
- Tyres on cars and trailers must carry a road-approval (homologation) mark on the sidewall.
- Most tyres have wear indicators. Once the tread is level with the indicator, the tyre is worn out and must not be used.
- For tyres without factory indicators, the minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.
- A tyre with visible cracks that expose or damage the carcass must not be used, whatever the tread depth.
- Tyres with permanently fitted, protruding anti-skid elements are prohibited.
The police also point out that tyre age matters. The four-digit code on the sidewall gives the production week and year, so "4818" means week 48 of 2018. Age matters most for winter tyres, according to the police text.
Snow chains and sign C-18
One winter rule is mandatory where it is signed. Road sign C-18, "obligatory use of snow chains", means that on that road the driver of a motor vehicle must use snow chains on at least two driving wheels. The duty lasts until sign C-19, the end of the obligation. The police note that using chains is prohibited if the road is not covered with snow. You are most likely to meet these signs on mountain roads, for example in the south of Poland.
What about fines?
We did not find an official source that sets out a fixed fine for driving on summer tyres in winter, and the Ministry of Infrastructure says there is no requirement. Separately, a vehicle that is not fit for the conditions can still be a safety problem in an accident or a police check. Do not assume a particular penalty. If you want a firm answer for your situation, ask the local traffic police or your insurer.
Practical choices for newcomers
1. Winter tyres are legal to use and recommended by the police for cold-season driving. Many drivers change them when temperatures fall. 2. All-season tyres are also legal. The Ministry of Infrastructure says they suit mainly city driving. 3. If you plan to drive in the mountains, carry chains and know sign C-18. 4. If you drive a foreign-registered car, or travel on to other countries, check the rules there. Some neighbouring countries have different requirements, and a Polish rule says nothing about them. 5. Check tread depth, tyre age, pressure and sidewall condition before winter.
Frequently asked questions
Are winter tyres mandatory in Poland?
No. According to the police, Polish law does not oblige drivers to use winter, summer or all-season tyres, though winter tyres are recommended for the cold season.
What is the minimum tread depth in Poland?
For tyres without factory wear indicators, the minimum is 1.6 mm. Tyres with indicators must be replaced when the tread reaches the indicator.
When must I use snow chains?
Where sign C-18 is displayed, on at least two driving wheels, until sign C-19. Chains are not allowed on roads that are not covered with snow.
Can I use all-season tyres?
Yes. The Ministry of Infrastructure notes that all-season tyres exist and says they are especially justified for vehicles used mainly in cities.
