Translarion from German-language website www.winterreifenpflicht.de

Austria: "vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 3.5 tons must be equipped with winter tyres on all four wheels between November 1 and April 15 during conditions of snow, ice, and other winter conditions." Also, the use of Daytime Running Lights is mandatory regardless of the time of day and visibility.

France: mandatory on roads designated by a "pneus neiges" (winter tyres) sign.

Germany: "Cars need to be suitably equipped for the weather conditions, in particular suitable tyres and anti-freeze screenwash." Contraventions will be punished by fines of at least 20 or 40 if a contravention leads to an impedement of traffic flow. (Insurance companies normally will assume gross negligence if an accident was caused by inappropriate tyres and have been known to sue drivers for compensation.)

Italy: winter tyres (or summer tyres supplemented by snow chains) are required in the Aosta valley from October 15 to April 15. Other roads will be blocked for cars without winter tyres on an ad-hoc basis depending on conditions.

Switzerland: while winter tyres are not mandatory, in case of an accident it is assumed that non-use of winter tyres will have constituted a large contributory factor to the cause of the accident, reducing an insurance pay-out even if the other party was at fault.