Winter tyres and snow chains in Italy with a rental car (2026-27)
According to Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Polizia di Stato, checked on 30 October 2026, there is no single national rule: each road owner can order that vehicles have winter tyres or snow chains on board, the Ministry's directive sets the period of these orders between 15 November and 15 April, and the rule applies on the roads where signs show it, even if there is no snow.
Each road owner (ANAS, the motorway companies, regions, provinces and towns) issues its own order for its roads, so the rule depends on the road you drive on. We could not read the ANAS website from our server on 30 October 2026, so this page does not list single roads. The Polizia di Stato article is dated 6 November 2023; the Ministry directive is dated 16 January 2013. Both pages are in Italian: our English translation is under each quote.
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 roads with a local order and road signs |
|---|---|
| Period | 15 November – 15 April (some roads have other dates) |
| Snow chains | Chains on board instead of winter tyres |
| 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
Ai fini della necessaria uniformità si dispone che il periodo interessato dall’obbligo sia ricompreso tra il 15 novembre e il 15 aprile e che il provvedimento sia redatto utilizzando come riferimento il modello in allegato A.
Our translation: For the sake of uniformity, the period covered by the obligation is set between 15 November and 15 April, and the order is to be written using the model in annex A.
Resta impregiudicata la possibilità per gli enti proprietari di strade di adottare provvedimenti della stessa natura, con una estesa temporale diversa per strade o tratti di esse in condizioni particolari quali ad esempio strade di montagna a quote particolarmente alte.
Our translation: Road owners may still adopt measures of the same kind with a different period for roads or road sections in special conditions, such as mountain roads at very high altitude.
Source: MIT: Direttiva sulla circolazione stradale in periodo invernale (prot. 1580, 16 January 2013), PDF (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Where it applies
Fuori dai centri abitati, lungo le strade frequentemente interessate da precipitazioni nevose e fenomeni di pioggia ghiacciata (freezing rain) nel periodo invernale, gli enti proprietari o concessionari di strade possono, ai sensi dell’articolo 6, comma 4, lettera e), del decreto legislativo n. 285/1992, prescrivere che i veicoli a motore, esclusi i ciclomotori a due ruote e i motocicli, siano muniti di pneumatici invernali ovvero abbiano a bordo mezzi antisdrucciolevoli idonei alla marcia su neve e ghiaccio.
Our translation: Outside built-up areas, on roads often affected by snowfall and freezing rain in winter, the owners or operators of roads may, under Article 6(4)(e) of Legislative Decree no. 285/1992, require that motor vehicles, except two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles, have winter tyres fitted or carry anti-skid devices suitable for driving on snow and ice.
Se ne dovessero ricorrere le condizioni i comuni possono adottare gli stessi provvedimenti anche all’interno dei centri abitati ai sensi dell’articolo 7, comma 1, del decreto legislativo n. 285/1992.
Our translation: If the conditions arise, towns may adopt the same measures inside built-up areas too, under Article 7(1) of Legislative Decree no. 285/1992.
Source: MIT: Direttiva sulla circolazione stradale in periodo invernale (prot. 1580, 16 January 2013), PDF (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
L’obbligo è stabilito dall’ente proprietario della strada e reso noto mediante apposito cartello.
Our translation: The obligation is set by the owner of the road and made known by a specific road sign.
L’obbligo di avere a bordo catene o pneumatici invernali è anche indicato lungo le strade da appositi cartelli che mostrano le tratte interessate; inoltre, l’obbligo va osservato anche se non c’è neve.
Our translation: The obligation to carry chains or have winter tyres is also shown along the roads by specific signs that mark the sections concerned; also, the obligation applies even if there is no snow.
Ad esempio, in alcune aree l’obbligo non viene applicato, come succede in diverse zone del Sud Italia. Al contrario, in alcune zone montane e nel Nord Italia le date possono essere modificate.
Our translation: For example, in some areas the obligation is not applied, as happens in several parts of Southern Italy. On the other hand, in some mountain areas and in Northern Italy the dates may be changed.
Source: Polizia di Stato: Dal 15 novembre scatta l'obbligo degli pneumatici invernali (Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Which tyres count
Gli pneumatici da neve (detti anche invernali o termici), considerati dispositivi da utilizzare in alternativa alle catene da neve ai fini del Codice della strada, sono contraddistinti da apposita sigla del tipo M+S o MS o M-S o M&S e da determinati simboli della categoria di velocità.
Our translation: Snow tyres (also called winter or thermal tyres), which the Highway Code treats as an alternative to snow chains, carry a marking such as M+S, MS, M-S or M&S and certain speed category symbols.
Source: Polizia di Stato: Dal 15 novembre scatta l'obbligo degli pneumatici invernali (Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Snow chains
Per tutte le altre tipologie di pneumatici è necessario dotarsi di catene a bordo.
Our translation: With all other types of tyres you must carry chains on board.
Source: Polizia di Stato: Dal 15 novembre scatta l'obbligo degli pneumatici invernali (Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Allo scopo di evitare interpretazioni non uniformi circa l’impiego dei mezzi antisdrucciolevoli, si chiarisce che i medesimi devono essere montati almeno sulle ruote degli assi motori.
Our translation: To avoid different readings about the use of anti-skid devices, the directive makes clear that they must be fitted at least on the wheels of the driving axles.
Source: MIT: Direttiva sulla circolazione stradale in periodo invernale (prot. 1580, 16 January 2013), PDF (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Fines and liability
Circolare con un veicolo senza osservare l’obbligo imposto di tenere montati (o avere a bordo) mezzi antisdrucciolevoli o pneumatici invernali idonei alla marcia su neve o ghiaccio, comporta una sanzione pecuniaria. Non sono previste sanzioni accessorie ma è intimato al conducente di non proseguire il viaggio se prima non si dota dei predetti dispositivi.
Our translation: Driving a vehicle without respecting the obligation to have anti-skid devices or winter tyres fitted (or on board) leads to a fine. There are no additional penalties, but the driver is told not to continue the journey until they have this equipment.
Source: Polizia di Stato: Dal 15 novembre scatta l'obbligo degli pneumatici invernali (Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police)), 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 Italy
Hiring a car in Italy 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 Italy?
Only on the roads where the road owner has ordered it. The Polizia di Stato says (our translation from Italian): “The obligation is set by the owner of the road and made known by a specific road sign.” “The obligation to carry chains or have winter tyres is also shown along the roads by specific signs that mark the sections concerned; also, the obligation applies even if there is no snow.” Winter tyres are one choice: snow chains on board are the other.
What are the dates for winter tyres in Italy?
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport says (our translation from Italian): “For the sake of uniformity, the period covered by the obligation is set between 15 November and 15 April, and the order is to be written using the model in annex A.” “Road owners may still adopt measures of the same kind with a different period for roads or road sections in special conditions, such as mountain roads at very high altitude.” Check the signs on the road you will use: some roads have other dates.
Do I need snow chains in Italy with a rental car?
On roads with the winter rule you need winter tyres or chains on board. The Polizia di Stato says (our translation from Italian): “With all other types of tyres you must carry chains on board.” The official pages we read do not say whether rental cars come with winter tyres or chains.
Does a rental car in Italy 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 Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Polizia di Stato, 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.
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