Must you pay for snow tires on your European rental car? In Germany the answer is, yes.

(Editor's Update: As of October, 2011, winter tires are now mandatory on Avis and Europcar rentals in Germany...details.)

There is much controversy and misunderstanding about rental cars and winter tires (tyres), especially when it comes to Germany rental cars.

The law in Germany states that tires must be “suitable for the weather conditions.” When roads are bare and dry in winter months, driving with summer tires is not against the law, since those tires are “suitable for the weather conditions.” However, when driving in snow, ice or slush, or very cold weather, winter tires (tires with the snowflake symbol) or M+S (mud and snow) tires, are required.

The problem is winter tires are expensive and they don't come as standard equipment. Avis (€8.3/day), Europcar (7.75/day), Hertz (€17/day) all charge extra for winter tires to a maximum of from €80 to €140, depending on length of rental. Staring in 2011, Avis and Eurocar made winter tires mandatory.

Since the responsibility for proper winterization falls on the vehicle's driver, some German rental companies choose to make snow tires an optional extra. Regardless of your rental company, If you want to be 100% certain your car is equipped with winter tires, order them at least three days prior to the start of the rental.

The fine in Germany for driving in “wintry” conditions without the proper tires is about 40 euros. If the weather report looks promising, and you've booked with a rental company that doesn't make winter tires mandatory, summer tires may seem like a reasonable gamble. However, if you are in an accident and the conditions warrant winter tires, you have a greater likelihood of being found to have caused the accident and, even worse, your insurance could be invalidated.

The good news is if you're not in the mountains, your chances of actually driving on snow are fairly small. And when it does snow in Germany, roads are quickly cleared. But look at this way: it's mid-winter and you're driving along on bare, dry roads on summer tires. Since your tires are “suitable for the conditions,” you are in compliance with the law. However, if the weather changes, and the roads become snowy, slushy, icy, or get so cold that tire adhesion is reduced, you are now breaking the law.

If you are picking up a car and haven't ordered-or don't want-winter tires, be sure you aren't charged for them. One of our editors rented a car in Germany from Avis in late November and only discovered the charge later on his credit card bill.

When Renting a Car in Austria

Winterization in Austria is mandatory and much less expensive, though of course basic rental car rates are higher than in Germany. Europcar's charge in Austria for winter tires is 2.4 euros per day, October 15 through April 15. Avis imposes a 4.8 euro per day fee to a maximum of 96 euros and Hertz charges 2 euros per day, maximum of 56 euros.

When Renting a Car in Switzerland

Here, winter tires are mandatory. In winter you can't rent a car without them, though they are not usually included in the rate. The extra charge with Hertz is CHF 11 per day to a maximum of CHF 226. Avis get CHF 9.7 per day. Only Europcar includes winter tires in its basic rates.

When Renting a Car in France

Europcar, which dominates the France rental car market, offers winter tires only on 4x4 vehicles at a cost of about $38 per day, minimum five days. Hertz has snow equipment on request at only a few, mostly high altitude, stations.

Other Winterization Options

Four-wheel drive vehicles in all countries are scarce and expensive. Several rental companies no longer offer tire chains as extra equipment. Some drivers feel more comfortable with front-wheel drive cars in ice and snow, though no rental company will guarantee front-wheel drive vehicles.

The prices mentioned above are subject to change.

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