Winter tyres and snow chains in Finland with a rental car (2026-27)
According to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), checked on 30 October 2026, a passenger car must use winter tyres during November and March if the weather so requires, and the tread of winter tyres must be at least 3.0 mm deep; non-studded winter tyres must also have the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, which the Traficom news of 17 October 2024 made mandatory from the beginning of December that year.
The Traficom news we quote is dated 17 October 2024. We did not find a newer Traficom page for the 2026-27 winter, so the rules may have changed: check them before you travel.
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 | Only in winter conditions – if the weather so requires |
|---|---|
| Period | November – March, if the weather requires |
| Snow chains | Not covered by the page we read |
| 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
In a passenger car, winter tyres should be used between November and March if the weather so requires.
In a passenger car, winter tyres must be used during November and March if the weather so requires. The depth of the principal tread grooves of a passenger car winter tyres must be at least 3.0 mm.
Source: Traficom: Remember to check the condition and symbols of winter tyres (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Which tyres count
From the beginning of December, the symbol is mandatory for passenger car and van non-studded winter tyres.
“In December, you cannot use non-studded winter tyres that do not have the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol in winter conditions.
Source: Traficom: Remember to check the condition and symbols of winter tyres (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom)), 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 Finland
Hiring a car in Finland 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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Other countries
Questions
Are winter tyres mandatory in Finland?
Traficom says: “In a passenger car, winter tyres must be used during November and March if the weather so requires. The depth of the principal tread grooves of a passenger car winter tyres must be at least 3.0 mm.”
When are winter tyres required in Finland?
Traficom says: “In a passenger car, winter tyres should be used between November and March if the weather so requires.” “From the beginning of December, the symbol is mandatory for passenger car and van non-studded winter tyres.” This news is dated 17 October 2024: the symbol rule started at the beginning of December that year.
Does a rental car in Finland 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 Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), 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.