🛒 Can I buy any winter tyres I like?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes, studded or non-studded — but the tyres must meet the rules: all four of the same type, at least 3.0 mm of tread from 1 November to 14 April, and studs only in that period. Non-studded winter tyres may be used all year, but studded tyres may not be used from 15 April to 31 October inclusive unless driving conditions require them (regulation 822/2004). If you choose studs, every wheel must be studded and the studs must stay within the limits on number and length. The tyres must carry an E, e or DOT marking, and new non-studded tyres must show the EU tyre label at the point of sale, with classes for fuel efficiency, wet grip and rolling noise. There is no official price for tyres or a tyre change: get quotes or check the price lists of at least three sellers and compare the total. Look the seller up in the Skatturinn company register and get an invoice with its name and kennitala (ID number).

📋 What the law requires

Studs only from 1 November to 14 April. Studded tyres may not be used from 15 April to 31 October inclusive unless driving conditions require them (item 16.02 of regulation 822/2004). Non-studded winter tyres may be used all year.
Tread depth of at least 3.0 mm from 1 November to 14 April and 1.6 mm the rest of the year, on cars and vans. On the main tread (the coarse pattern in the middle of the tread covering 75% of its width) the depth must not fall below this anywhere (regulation 736/2014).
All tyres of the same type. On ordinary cars and vans all tyres must match, including tread pattern and studding (Samgöngustofa). If a vehicle of 3,500 kg or less runs on studs, every wheel must be studded.
Approved, marked tyres: an E, e or DOT marking, size and manufacturer on the tyre, and a speed rating of at least 120 km/h unless the car's top speed is lower. On an unmodified car the circumference may be at most 10% larger than that of the largest tyres the manufacturer intends for that model, and retreaded tyres must be marked “Sólað” (retreaded).
When there is snow or ice on the road the car must have snow chains or other equipment that gives grip for the conditions, such as coarse-pattern winter tyres with or without studs (item 16.02). The wheels must also be balanced (item 16.10).

🔓 Checklist before you buy

The EU tyre label: on new non-studded tyres it shows classes A–E for fuel efficiency and wet grip, rolling noise in dB and whether the tyre is made for severe snow or ice (regulation 1221/2022). If you cannot see the tyres when you buy, the seller must give you a copy of the label before the sale, and in an online shop the label must sit next to the price.
Studded and second-hand tyres aren't covered by the label, so ask the seller. On a vehicle of 3,500 kg or less a tyre may have at most 90 studs (rim up to and including 13"), 110 (over 13" up to and including 15") or 150 (over 15"), and on a newly studded tyre the studs may protrude no more than 1.2 mm on average.
Second-hand tyres: measure the tread (3.0 mm in winter), check the tyres for damage and make sure no new tread has been cut into them — that is banned on vehicles of 3,500 kg or less.
A full set: buy four tyres of the same type and pattern. Tyres are checked at the periodic inspection and must not be damaged, mismatched or too worn (Samgöngustofa).
Where to buy: tyre workshops, general garages, car dealers and online shops. Look the seller up in the Skatturinn company register by name, kennitala (ID number) or VAT number, and get an invoice with its name and kennitala.
Buying online or by phone: you can then withdraw from the purchase within 14 days of receiving the tyres (Act No. 16/2016). There is no such statutory right in a shop.

⚠️ Prices and fines

There is no official price for winter tyres or a tyre change. So get quotes or check the price lists of at least three sellers for the same job — the tyres, studs if any, fitting and balancing — and compare the total. A tyre workshop must display a clear price list for the services it offers (rules No. 537/2011). The wrong tyres can cost you too: 20,000 kr per studded tyre out of season and up to 20,000 kr per unfit tyre, for example one worn too far (regulation 1240/2019), so four tyres can cost 80,000 kr. Problems after the purchase, such as faulty tyres? See the page “Faulty goods”.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-10-25

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❓ Frequently asked

When can I start driving on studded tyres in winter 2026–2027?

From 1 November 2026. Studded tyres may not be used from 15 April to 31 October inclusive unless driving conditions require them, so the season runs from 1 November 2026 to 14 April 2027. Non-studded winter tyres, on the other hand, may be used all year.

Should I choose studded or non-studded winter tyres?

The law allows both, so it depends on where and how you drive. The City of Reykjavík recommends good non-studded tyres in town and points out that studs do not help in snow, only in certain icy conditions. Non-studded winter tyres can also stay on all year, while studded ones must come off before 15 April.

How much do winter tyres and a tyre change cost?

There is no official or statistical reference price for tyres or a tyre change. Get quotes or check the price lists of at least three sellers for the same job — tyres, studs if any, fitting and balancing — and compare the total. A tyre workshop must display a clear price list for its services.

Can I buy second-hand winter tyres?

Yes, but they must meet the same rules as new ones: at least 3.0 mm of tread in winter, no damage and an E, e or DOT marking. Cutting new tread into tyres for vehicles of 3,500 kg or less is banned, and second-hand tyres aren't covered by the EU tyre label.

How do I check the seller?

Look it up in the Skatturinn company register by name, kennitala (ID number) or VAT number, and get an invoice with its name and kennitala. In an online shop the EU tyre label must sit next to the price of new non-studded tyres, and a workshop must display a price list for its services, so you can compare before you book.

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