Winter tyres and snow chains in Slovenia with a rental car (2026-27)
According to the Slovenian Tourist Board and the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency (AVP), checked on 30 October 2026, from 15 November to 15 March cars must have the prescribed winter equipment: winter tyres with a tread depth of at least 3 mm, or summer tyres with snow chains carried in the vehicle.
We could not read the websites of the Slovenian police and of the national traffic information centre from our server on 30 October 2026. The AVP article is dated 12 November 2025 and is in Slovenian: 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 – winter tyres, or summer tyres with chains in the car |
|---|---|
| Period | 15 November – 15 March |
| Snow chains | Summer tyres plus chains carried in the car |
| 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
From 15 November to 15 March, vehicles must have the prescribed winter equipment. This means winter tyres with a tread depth of at least 3 mm, or summer tyres with snow chains carried in the vehicle.
Source: Slovenia.info: Driving to and around Slovenia (Slovenian Tourist Board), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Zakonodaja od voznikov zahteva, da med 15. novembrom in 15. marcem svoja vozila opremijo z zimskimi pnevmatikami (razen izjem).
Our translation: The law requires drivers to fit winter tyres to their vehicles between 15 November and 15 March (with exceptions).
Source: AVP: Spet je čas za zimsko 'obutev' (Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency (AVP)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Snow chains
Po 15. novembru si lahko razmišljanje privoščijo le tisti, ki bodo v prtljažnik svojega vozila dodali verige (ali podobne pripomočke), tisti, ki vozijo vseletne pnevmatike (tudi oznaka All sesason M+S), in seveda tisti, ki živijo v priobalnem pasu, ki ga določa zakon kot izjemo.
Our translation: After 15 November, the only drivers who can still think it over are those who put chains (or similar devices) in the boot, those who drive on all-season tyres (also marked All season M+S), and of course those who live in the coastal area that the law sets as an exception.
Source: AVP: Spet je čas za zimsko 'obutev' (Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency (AVP)), 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 Slovenia
Hiring a car in Slovenia 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 Slovenia?
From 15 November to 15 March, yes, or summer tyres with chains in the car. The Slovenian Tourist Board says: “From 15 November to 15 March, vehicles must have the prescribed winter equipment. This means winter tyres with a tread depth of at least 3 mm, or summer tyres with snow chains carried in the vehicle.”
Do I need snow chains in Slovenia?
Only if the car does not have winter or all-season tyres. The Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency says (our translation from Slovenian): “After 15 November, the only drivers who can still think it over are those who put chains (or similar devices) in the boot, those who drive on all-season tyres (also marked All season M+S), and of course those who live in the coastal area that the law sets as an exception.”
Does a rental car in Slovenia 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 Slovenian Tourist Board and the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency (AVP), 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.