Winter tyres and snow chains in Switzerland with a rental car (2026-27)
According to ch.ch, the information portal of the Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes, checked on 30 October 2026, winter tyres are not compulsory in Switzerland, but drivers must always keep control of their vehicle, and a driver whose car is not properly equipped for the winter may be found liable after an accident.
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 | No – but you may be liable if the car is not equipped for winter |
|---|---|
| Period | No legal period (advice: October to Easter) |
| 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 Switzerland, there is no legal obligation to fit your vehicle with winter tyres. However, drivers must always maintain control of their vehicle.
Source: ch.ch: Are winter tyres compulsory? (ch.ch (Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Which tyres count
It is worth changing your tyres before the first snow falls; it is recommended to fit vehicles with snow tires from October until Easter time.
Source: ch.ch: Are winter tyres compulsory? (ch.ch (Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes)), checked on 30 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Fines and liability
In the case of an accident, the driver may be found liable if the car is not properly equipped for the winter. The insurance company may not cover the full cost of the damage or may even take action against the insured person for negligence.
Source: ch.ch: Are winter tyres compulsory? (ch.ch (Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes)), 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 Switzerland
Hiring a car in Switzerland 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 Switzerland?
No. ch.ch says: “In Switzerland, there is no legal obligation to fit your vehicle with winter tyres. However, drivers must always maintain control of their vehicle.”
When should you have winter tyres in Switzerland?
There are no legal dates. ch.ch says: “It is worth changing your tyres before the first snow falls; it is recommended to fit vehicles with snow tires from October until Easter time.”
Do we need snow chains in a hire car in Switzerland?
The page we read does not cover snow chains, but it warns: “In the case of an accident, the driver may be found liable if the car is not properly equipped for the winter. The insurance company may not cover the full cost of the damage or may even take action against the insured person for negligence.” Ask the rental company whether the car has winter tyres or chains.
Does a rental car in Switzerland 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 ch.ch, the information portal of the Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes, 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.