Winter tyres in Bosnia: mandatory from 1 November 2026
From 1 November 2026 to 1 April 2027, winter equipment is mandatory in Bosnia and Herzegovina in any weather. What counts and how much the fine is.
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From 1 November 2026 to 1 April 2027, winter equipment is mandatory for motor vehicles in Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of weather conditions. The rule also applies to foreign drivers, and the fine for a vehicle without the required equipment is 40 KM.
What counts as winter equipment
Under the Rulebook on Traffic in Winter Conditions (Official Gazette of BiH 83/20), as interpreted by BIHAMK and the media, three combinations are allowed:
- winter tyres on all wheels;
- winter tyres on the drive wheels, with chains or another traction device in the vehicle;
- summer tyres on all wheels with a tread depth of at least 4 mm, with chains or another device for at least two drive wheels.
Two winter tyres on their own are not enough. The police can check your equipment even when the road is dry. The requirement does not apply to motorcycles and tractors.
What this means for visitors
If you are driving from Croatia, Slovenia or Germany with all-season or winter tyres, you are generally covered. With summer tyres you also need chains in the boot. Check rental cars when you pick them up. The rules in the countries you drive through differ, so check them with HAK or ADAC.
Around Bihać, snow is most common on the climbs towards Plješevica, Grmeč and Bosanski Petrovac. Follow border waiting times and cameras on our page Bihać border crossings and traffic, and find tips for a winter stay in our guide Bihać in winter.
Sources
- N1: Winter equipment mandatory from Sunday
- RTV Slon: Winter equipment mandatory in BiH from 1 November
- Oslobođenje: Winter equipment mandatory in BiH from today
- N1: What counts as winter equipment in BiH
- BIHAMK
Checked: 12 November 2026.