Winter tyres and snow chains in Croatia with a rental car (2026-27)
According to the Croatian Police, checked on 30 October 2026, on the designated winter sections of public roads, winter equipment is compulsory from 15 November to 15 April whatever the weather, and on any road vehicles without winter equipment may not drive in snow or ice; for cars, winter equipment means winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels, or summer tyres with at least 4 mm of tread plus snow chains on the drive wheels.
The police page we quote was published on 13 November 2024 for the period from 15 November 2024 to 15 April 2025; it gives the period as every year from 15 November to 15 April. We did not find a newer police page for the 2026-27 winter, so the rules and the fine may have changed: check them before you travel. The page is in Croatian: our English translation is under each quote. The list of winter road sections is in the government decision the page names; we did not read that decision.
Local orders and road signs come first. We quote governments, police forces and road safety agencies word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Before you drive, check the signs on your route and ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
At a glance
| Obligation | Yes, on set dates – on winter road sections, and on any road in snow or ice |
|---|---|
| Period | 15 November – 15 April |
| Snow chains | Summer tyres (4 mm tread) plus chains on the drive wheels |
| Rental cars | Not covered by the official pages: ask the rental company |
| Checked | 30 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
When the rule applies
Podsjećamo, da je sukladno Odluci o obaveznoj uporabi zimske opreme na zimskim dionicama javnih cesta u Republici Hrvatskoj („NN“ br. 121/20.), propisana obaveza korištenja zimske opreme u razdoblju od 15. studenoga tekuće godine do 15. travnja iduće godine. Obavezna uporaba zimske opreme odnosi se na sve vrste motornih vozila bez obzira na vremenske uvjete i stanje kolnika, izuzev vozila oružanih snaga Republike Hrvatske.
Our translation: We remind you that, under the Decision on the mandatory use of winter equipment on winter sections of public roads in the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette no. 121/20), winter equipment must be used from 15 November of the current year to 15 April of the next year. The mandatory use of winter equipment applies to all types of motor vehicles, whatever the weather and the state of the road, except vehicles of the Croatian armed forces.
Source: Zagreb Police: Korištenje zimske opreme na vozilima obvezno od 15. studenoga (Croatian Police (Zagreb Police Administration)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Where it applies
Sukladno članku 193. Zakona o sigurnosti prometa na cestama (NN 67/08, 48/10, 74/11, 80/13, 158/13, 92/14, 64/15, 108/17, 70/19, 42/20, 85/22, 114/22, 133/23) zimski uvjeti podrazumijevaju kolnik prekriven snijegom ili kad je na kolniku poledica. Za vrijeme zimskih uvjeta na cestama zabranjuje se promet motornim vozilima koja nemaju propisanu zimsku opremu i teretnim automobilima s priključnim vozilom.
Our translation: Under Article 193 of the Road Traffic Safety Act (Official Gazette 67/08, 48/10, 74/11, 80/13, 158/13, 92/14, 64/15, 108/17, 70/19, 42/20, 85/22, 114/22, 133/23), winter conditions mean a road covered with snow or with ice on it. During winter conditions, motor vehicles without the prescribed winter equipment and lorries with trailers may not use the roads.
Source: Zagreb Police: Korištenje zimske opreme na vozilima obvezno od 15. studenoga (Croatian Police (Zagreb Police Administration)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Which tyres count
Pneumatici s čavlima ne smiju se postavljati na motorna vozila.
Our translation: Studded tyres must not be fitted to motor vehicles.
Source: Zagreb Police: Korištenje zimske opreme na vozilima obvezno od 15. studenoga (Croatian Police (Zagreb Police Administration)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Snow chains
Zimskom opremom motornih vozila kategorije M i N čija najveća dopuštena masa nije veća od 3,5 t sukladno ovom Pravilniku, smatraju se zimski pneumatici (M+S) na svim kotačima ili ljetni pneumatici s najmanjom dubinom profila od 4 mm i s lancima za snijeg koji se postavljaju na pogonske kotače.
Our translation: Under these Rules, winter equipment for motor vehicles of categories M and N with a maximum permitted weight of no more than 3.5 t means winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels, or summer tyres with a tread depth of at least 4 mm and snow chains fitted to the drive wheels.
Source: Zagreb Police: Korištenje zimske opreme na vozilima obvezno od 15. studenoga (Croatian Police (Zagreb Police Administration)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Fines and liability
Ako policijski službenik zatekne vozilo koje se kreće cestom na kojoj je kretanje te vrste vozila zabranjeno ili se kreće bez zimske opreme na dijelu ceste i u vrijeme kada je zimska oprema obvezna, naredit će vozaču da odmah prekine kretanje vozilom ili da vozilom nastavi kretanje na cesti na kojoj je kretanje te vrste vozila dopušteno, odnosno da upotrijebi zimsku opremu. U suprotnom, vozaču prijeti novčana kazna od 132,72 eura.
Our translation: If a police officer finds a vehicle driving on a road where that type of vehicle is banned, or without winter equipment on a section of road and at a time when winter equipment is mandatory, the officer will order the driver to stop at once, or to continue on a road where that type of vehicle is allowed, or to use the winter equipment. Otherwise, the driver faces a fine of €132.72.
Source: Zagreb Police: Korištenje zimske opreme na vozilima obvezno od 15. studenoga (Croatian Police (Zagreb Police Administration)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
With a rental car
The official pages we read do not say whether rental cars come with winter tyres or chains. Ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
Hire a car in Croatia
Hiring a car in Croatia this winter? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Before you book, ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
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Questions
Are winter tyres mandatory in Croatia?
Winter equipment is mandatory on winter road sections from 15 November to 15 April, and on any road in snow or ice; winter tyres are one choice. The Croatian Police say (our translation from Croatian): “Under these Rules, winter equipment for motor vehicles of categories M and N with a maximum permitted weight of no more than 3.5 t means winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels, or summer tyres with a tread depth of at least 4 mm and snow chains fitted to the drive wheels.”
Can I use snow chains instead of winter tyres in Croatia?
Yes, with enough tread on the summer tyres. The Croatian Police say (our translation from Croatian): “Under these Rules, winter equipment for motor vehicles of categories M and N with a maximum permitted weight of no more than 3.5 t means winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels, or summer tyres with a tread depth of at least 4 mm and snow chains fitted to the drive wheels.”
Does a rental car in Croatia come with winter tyres or snow chains?
The official pages we read do not say whether rental cars come with winter tyres or chains. Ask the rental company whether winter tyres or chains are included and at what cost.
Where does this answer come from?
From the official pages of the Croatian Police, read on 30 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page (with our translation when the page is not in English). It is information, not legal advice.
Spotted a change? Tell us. Winter tyres with a rental car: all countries.