Winter driving in Switzerland with a rental car: tyres, snow chains, passes

Switzerland has no general winter tyre law, but you are liable for driving a car that suits the conditions. Snow chains are compulsory only where a sign reads «Schneeketten obligatorisch», and with chains on the TCS says not to go above 50 km/h.

That applies to a rental car exactly as it does to your own. The difference is that you know less about what is on the wheels. You can find that out before you leave, which is what this page is for: what the law says, what to check on the car, how to plan for passes and for the cold, and what a ski day from Zurich needs.

Winter tyres: no obligation, but the risk is yours

TCS and ASTRA say the same thing: there is no legal duty to fit winter tyres. The car must nevertheless be in a safe condition at all times (Art. 29 SVG) and you must keep it under control at all times (Art. 31 para. 1 SVG). If you cause an accident on snow with summer tyres, or block the road, you risk a fine and trouble over liability. The risk sits with the person at the wheel, not with the tyre.

The rule of thumb is «von O bis O», October to Easter. It is a rule of thumb, not a regulation: depending on region and weather you may need the tyres earlier or for longer.

Two things worth knowing:

• Snowflake, not M+S. According to the TCS, since 2017 only tyres with the mountain and snowflake symbol (3PMSF) count as winter tyres in Switzerland. The transition period for tyres marked only «M+S» ended on 1 October 2024.
• Tread depth. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm. TCS and ASTRA recommend replacing winter tyres at 4 mm, because grip on snow fades earlier.

Snow chains: only where the sign says so

The chain obligation exists only on stretches signed «Schneeketten obligatorisch» (Art. 29 SSV). There it applies to four-wheel drive too, unless an extra plate exempts it: the TCS points out that all-wheel drive is often overestimated in winter. With chains on, the TCS says not to go above 50 km/h. After 50 to 100 metres, stop and check they are still tight.

Chains are not standard equipment in every car, and no law tells you whether a particular rental car carries any. If your route includes a chain stretch, ask the rental company before you book. With us, just write first: +41 77 456 99 05, every day from 07:00 to 24:00.

Mountain passes: check first, then drive

Many Swiss pass roads close in winter, and when differs from pass to pass. The TCS pass portal shows the current status of 77 passes with their usual winter closure: the Albula Pass reads «December to May», the Albis Pass is open all year. By phone you get the status through Viasuisse on 163 (charged).

Two rules cover the planning. Check on the day you drive, because a closure can come and go at short notice. And plan an alternative, because a closed pass is not damage to the car, it is a detour.

Electric cars in the cold: expect less range

A battery delivers less energy in the cold. The TCS describes a Norwegian test series: on average 18.5 percent less range than the WLTP figure, ranging from 9 to 30 percent. Charging is slower too, 15 percent slower at minus 10 degrees than at 20 degrees, according to the TCS.

What you control is also on the TCS list:

• Preheat while the car is still plugged in. The warmth then comes from the grid, not from the battery.
• Seat and steering wheel heating instead of air heating. Together they draw about 150 watts, air heating 2 to 5 kilowatts.
• A little slower on the motorway. From 120 to 110 km/h, air resistance drops by 15 percent.

For a trip into the mountains that means: plan the charging stops with a margin, not with the brochure figure.

A ski day from Zurich: the checklist

You do not need much for a day in the snow, but you need all of it beforehand:

1. Check the tyres. Snowflake symbol on the sidewall, and from October to April the tyre entry on the car page.
2. Check route and passes. On the day, in the TCS portal, with a plan B.
3. Sort out chains if your route contains chain stretches.
4. Room for skis and luggage. On some cars the car page carries a note about ski transport that we wrote for that car.
5. Electric: plan a reserve, as above.

If you want a car from us for the winter

We are a handful of well-kept cars in Zurich, not a rental chain. For winter that means: from October to April you see on the car page before you book which tyres are on it, and if you want to know more you write to us. We take no deposit, and nothing is blocked on your card. You do not need a credit card: a debit card, TWINT, Apple Pay or Google Pay is enough. You open the car with your phone, with no counter and no key handover.

How the deposit works, and what can still be charged after the rental, is in Car rental without a deposit or credit card. If your trip crosses a border, read Taking a rental car abroad. And if you need to park in the city on the way: Blue zone parking in Zurich. The cars are on Car rental in Zurich.

Frequently asked questions

Are winter tyres mandatory in Switzerland?

No, there is no legal obligation. The car must always be roadworthy and you must be able to control it in every situation. If you cause an accident or block traffic on snow with summer tyres, expect a fine and liability consequences. The rule of thumb is October to Easter.

When are snow chains compulsory in Switzerland?

Only where a sign says so, the one reading «Schneeketten obligatorisch». Where the sign stands, the obligation applies to four-wheel drive too, unless an extra plate exempts it. With chains on, the TCS says not to go above 50 km/h.

What does the snowflake symbol on a tyre mean?

The mountain and snowflake symbol (3PMSF) marks a winter tyre. According to the TCS, since 2017 only tyres with this symbol count as winter tyres in Switzerland, and the transition period for tyres marked only M+S ended on 1 October 2024.

How do I know if a DRAIV car is on winter tyres?

From October to April every car page shows among the key facts which tyres are on it: winter, summer or all-season, where we have recorded it for that car. Check there before you book. If it shows nothing, or you need more certainty for your route, message us before booking.

How much range does an electric car lose in the cold?

The TCS cites a Norwegian test series: on average 18.5 percent less range than the WLTP figure, ranging from 9 to 30 percent. Cabin heating is a big part of it and you can keep it small: seat and steering wheel heating together draw about 150 watts, air heating 2 to 5 kilowatts.

Where can I check whether a mountain pass is open?

On the TCS pass portal, which shows the current status of 77 passes, or by phone through Viasuisse on 163 (charged). Many passes have a usual winter closure, the Albula Pass for instance from December to May. Check on the day you drive, not the day you book.