Can I drive on summer tyres in winter?
No, not on worn summer tyres. From 15 November to 1 March the law requires tyres suitable for winter conditions. That means either winter tyres or tyres with a tread depth of at least 4 mm. The period is fixed and does not depend on whether there is snow on the ground. The Act allows all-season and even summer tyres if they meet the tread requirement — in practice that is exactly what the police check. Without suitable tyres the fine is BGN 50 (≈€26), and the vehicle can be taken off the road until you change them. The costliest consequence is not the fine, though: in a crash on unsuitable tyres your insurer can reduce or refuse payment under comprehensive cover.
📋 The rules
- Mandatory period: 15 November – 1 March
- Tyres suitable for winter conditions, or at least 4 mm of tread
- All-season tyres are acceptable if they meet the requirement
- Fine: BGN 50 (≈€26)
- The vehicle can be immobilised until you change them
🔓 Exceptions
- All-season tyres with enough tread satisfy the requirement
- Outside 15 Nov – 1 Mar there is no winter-tyre duty
- Snow chains are required only where a sign says so
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Driving without tyres suitable for winter conditions between 15 November and 1 March brings a fine of BGN 50 (≈€26); in more serious cases it can reach BGN 200 (≈€102). Beyond the fine, the vehicle can be taken off the road until it complies — you stay where you are until the tyres are changed. The costliest consequence, though, is not the fine: in a crash on unsuitable tyres your insurer can reduce or refuse payment under comprehensive cover, and under third-party liability can pursue recourse against you. If the crash was your fault and the tyres were unfit, that weighs on the apportionment of liability too.
📎 Official sources
- lex.bg · Road Traffic Act →
- Ministry of the Interior · "Winter" campaign →
- The Sofia Globe · Winter tyre requirement →
❓ Frequently asked
When are winter tyres mandatory?
From 15 November to 1 March. In that window the car must have tyres suitable for winter conditions, or a tread depth of at least 4 mm. The period is fixed and does not depend on whether there is snow on the ground.
Are all-season tyres acceptable?
Yes, if they meet the tread requirement. The law speaks of tyres suitable for winter conditions, not necessarily of tyres carrying the snowflake symbol. In practice the police check the tread depth.
What is the fine?
BGN 50 (≈€26), and up to BGN 200 in more serious cases. The car can also be taken off the road until you fit suitable tyres — so you stay put rather than simply paying and driving on.
Are snow chains mandatory?
Not as a rule. Chains are required only on stretches where a road sign says so. Outside those stretches carrying them is not compulsory, though in mountain areas in winter it is sensible.
What is the minimum tread?
At least 4 mm for winter conditions — stricter than the general minimum for summer tyres, and checked at roadside stops. In a crash, unfit tyres can also cost you a refusal by your insurer to pay under comprehensive cover.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “winter tyres bulgaria mandatory”
- “bulgaria winter tyre dates”
- “fine no winter tyres bulgaria”
- “4mm tread bulgaria”
- “all season tyres bulgaria law”
- “snow chains bulgaria”