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Are all-season tyres enough for insurance in winter in Germany?

In short

Are all-season tyres enough for insurance in winter in Germany? Yes, if they carry the Alpine symbol, a mountain with a snowflake. Then they meet the rule for icy roads, and the tyre type alone gives comprehensive cover no reason to cut payment. Since 1 October 2024 tyres marked only M+S no longer count on snow and ice: a fine of 60 euros and a risk of a cut.

Are all-season tyres enough for insurance in winter in Germany?

What it costs

Prices from published tyre tests and garage data, per tyre without fitting unless stated otherwise.

ExampleTypical range
All-season tyre 185/65 R15, well rated models, 2026 testfrom about 81 to 90 euros per tyre
All-season tyre 205/55 R16, 2024 testabout 78 to 131 euros per tyre
All-season tyre 225/45 R17, well rated models, 2025 testabout 126 to 135 euros per tyre
Four new tyres fitted and balanced at a garageabout 580 to 800 euros on average
Fine for wrong tyres on icy roads60 euros, 80 euros if you obstruct others

Tyre prices from the 2024 to 2026 tests, garage price as of August 2026.

The cost of seasonal changes in the example below is a guide value from our quotation practice.

Worked example

Low mileage driver in a flat region, compact car

About 8,000 kilometres a year, home town with little snow. A set of all-season tyres is compared with one set each of summer and winter tyres.

Four all-season tyres 205/55 R16, brand modelabout 400 to 500 euros
Four summer and four winter tyres of the same classabout 750 to 950 euros
Two wheel changes a year with two setsabout 60 to 120 euros
Storage with two setsabout 50 to 100 euros a year

All-season tyres save several hundred euros at purchase and roughly 100 to 200 euros a year in changes and storage. With the Alpine symbol and enough tread they are fine for the law and your insurer.

What German law requires

Germany has no winter tyre rule tied to a date. Under § 2(3a) of the road traffic regulations (StVO), you may only drive on black ice, snow, slush or frost with tyres that carry the Alpine symbol, a mountain pictogram with a snowflake on the sidewall.

Whether a tyre is sold as winter or all-season does not matter. Since 1 October 2024 the M+S marking alone is no longer enough, including for older tyres made before 2018. The production date is in the DOT code on the sidewall. Driving with wrong tyres in winter conditions costs 60 euros, 80 euros if you obstruct others.

TyreAllowed on icy roadsRisk under comprehensive cover
Winter tyre with Alpine symbolyeslow if the tread is fine
All-season tyre with Alpine symbolyeslow if the tread is fine
All-season or winter tyre marked only M+Snocut possible
Summer tyrenocut possible

What your insurer makes of it

Motor liability cover pays the other driver's damage in any case. Under § 103 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) it is only free of liability if you cause the damage intentionally, and wrong tyres are not intent.

Damage to your own car is paid by comprehensive cover. If the driver caused the accident through gross negligence, § 81(2) VVG lets the insurer cut payment in line with the degree of fault. With legal all-season tyres, the tyre type gives no starting point for that. A cut is still possible if you drove far too fast or the tread was worn. Many tariffs waive the gross negligence defence; for winter, that is the more important point in your policy.

Tread: the legal minimum is not enough for snow

Under § 36 of the vehicle licensing regulations (StVZO), the main tread must be at least 1.6 millimetres deep, all-season tyres included. That is the legal floor. On snow, grip drops noticeably as the tread wears.

All-season tyres run all year and therefore wear faster than winter tyres that are only fitted for half the year. Measure the tread before every winter at several points on each tyre.

How good all-season tyres are on snow

In a 2025 test by European motoring clubs in size 225/45 R17, only 4 of 16 all-season models were rated good. In the 2026 consumer test in size 185/65 R15, five models rated deficient still carried the Alpine symbol. The symbol tells you a tyre is legal, not that it is good.

A good all-season tyre is a compromise: weaker than a summer tyre in summer and weaker than a winter tyre on ice. For high mileage drivers and anyone who drives on snow regularly, the testers still recommend separate summer and winter sets.

Who they suit

If you drive little, live in a flat region and can leave the car at home in heavy snow, all-season tyres work well. You save the change twice a year and the storage.

If you live in the mountains, have to drive in any weather for work or head to the Alps in winter, stick with winter tyres. Other countries have their own rules, so check them before a winter trip.

Step by step

  1. Check the sidewall: is the Alpine symbol there?
  2. Measure the tread at several points.
  3. If the tyres show only M+S without the Alpine symbol, buy new ones before the first frost.
  4. Check your policy to see whether the gross negligence defence is waived.
  5. Before trips abroad, check the winter rules there.

Checklist

  • Alpine symbol on all four tyres
  • Tread well above 1.6 millimetres
  • Speed sticker if the tyres are rated slower than the car's top speed
  • Test result of the model checked
  • Gross negligence waiver in your policy

Common mistakes

  • Thinking M+S is enough
  • Taking the Alpine symbol for a quality seal
  • Running all-season tyres down to the last millimetre
  • Driving as fast on all-season tyres as in summer

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Do all-season tyres count as winter tyres?

Legally yes, if they carry the Alpine symbol.

Then they meet the rule for icy roads.

Can my insurer cut payment after an accident on all-season tyres?

Liability cover always pays the other side.

Comprehensive cover may only cut for gross negligence,

and legal tyres with good tread do not amount to it.

Are M+S tyres still enough?

No.

Since 1 October 2024 only tyres with the Alpine symbol count on icy roads.

How much tread do all-season tyres need?

At least 1.6 millimetres by law.

That is tight for snow, so check the tread before every winter.

Are all-season tyres as good as winter tyres?

The best come close, many do not.

In the 2025 test only 4 of 16 models were rated good.

Do I have to tell my insurer which tyres I use?

No.

Tyres may only matter after an accident, and then you should answer truthfully.

Sources

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