Winter tyres are required by law in Sweden from 1 December to 31 March, but only when winter road conditions prevail. Tread depth must then be at least 3 millimetres. Changing the wheels yourself takes about an hour and needs a jack, a wheel brace and ideally a torque wrench.
The rules, briefly
| What applies | |
|---|---|
| Winter tyres required | 1 December to 31 March, in winter road conditions |
| Tread depth, winter tyres | At least 3 mm during that period |
| Tread depth, summer tyres | At least 1.6 mm |
| Studded tyres permitted | Normally 1 October to 15 April |
| Studded tyres outside that window | Allowed if winter conditions prevail or are expected |
Two points are worth understanding properly, especially if you are new to driving in Sweden.
It is the road conditions, not just the date. The requirement applies when vinterväglag prevails, meaning the road is covered in snow, ice or frost. On a mild December day with clear roads, summer tyres are formally legal. In practice this is a bad bet, because conditions can change within an hour.
3 millimetres is the legal minimum, not a recommendation. A winter tyre loses meaningful grip well before it reaches 3 mm. Plenty of drivers change at 4 to 5 mm, and that is not excessive.
Always check the current rules with Transportstyrelsen, the authority that sets them.
Studded or non-studded?
| Studded | Non-studded winter | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice and packed snow | Best grip | Less, but perfectly capable |
| Bare and wet asphalt | Worse, longer braking distance | Better |
| Noise | Higher | Lower |
| Road wear and particles | Higher | Lower |
| Banned on some streets | Yes, in places | No |
If you mostly drive in town where roads are salted and rarely icy, non-studded is usually the better choice. If you drive rural roads, in northern Sweden, or often on unploughed surfaces, the studs earn their place.
Some streets ban studded tyres. Stockholm has bans on a few inner-city streets, and other municipalities have introduced similar rules. Check with your municipality before committing to a set.
Changing a wheel yourself, step by step
You need a jack, a wheel brace or socket wrench, a torque wrench and ideally a pair of axle stands.
- Park level on firm ground. Never on a slope, never on grass or gravel.
- Apply the handbrake and leave it in first gear or P.
- Loosen the bolts one turn while the wheel is still on the ground. Do it after lifting and the wheel just spins.
- Jack up at the correct lifting point. It is marked on the sill, usually a notch or arrow. Lift in the wrong place and you dent the sill.
- Remove the bolts and take the wheel off. Lay it flat, not leaning against the car.
- Fit the new wheel and hand-tighten the bolts in a cross pattern until they seat.
- Lower the car until the tyre just grips the ground.
- Torque up in a cross pattern. The correct figure is in the owner's manual, often between 110 and 140 Nm for a passenger car.
- Re-torque after 50 to 200 km. Plenty of people skip this, and it is exactly when a wheel can work loose.
Safety, plainly
- Never go under a car supported only by a jack. Use axle stands if you need to get underneath.
- Change one wheel at a time unless the car is on stands.
- The cross pattern matters. Tightening in a circle seats the wheel off-centre.
- Check the tyre pressure afterwards. The correct figure is on a sticker in the door frame or inside the fuel flap.
Wheel swap or remount?
These are two different jobs at very different prices.
- A wheel swap means you have two complete sets, tyres already mounted on rims, and you change the whole wheel. Quick, and doable at home.
- A remount means the tyres come off and go back onto the same rims, which needs a machine and balancing. Not a home job.
2026 guide figures:
| Approximate price | |
|---|---|
| Wheel swap at a garage | 500–900 SEK |
| Remount on rims with balancing | 1,200–2,500 SEK |
| Tyre hotel (däckhotell), per season | 800–2,000 SEK |
A däckhotell is seasonal tyre storage, which many garages offer. If you have space at home you save that cost. Store tyres dark, cool and dry, stacked flat if they are on rims and standing upright if they are loose.
No tax deduction for cars
This surprises people, given how much other household work qualifies: RUT and ROT do not apply to vehicles. The deductions are tied to work in or close to the home, and cars, caravans and boats are specifically excluded.
So there is no tax deduction for a tyre change, servicing or car care, whether the work happens on your own driveway or at a garage. See the RUT deduction for what is actually covered.
Common questions
When are winter tyres required by law in Sweden?
From 1 December to 31 March, but only in winter road conditions (Transportstyrelsen).
When are studded tyres allowed?
Normally 1 October to 15 April, and outside that window in winter conditions.
What tread depth do winter tyres need?
At least 3 millimetres in winter conditions. Summer tyres need 1.6 millimetres.
Can I change the wheels myself?
Yes, with a jack, wheel brace and torque wrench. Never go under a car held up only by a jack.
What does a tyre change cost at a garage?
Roughly 500 to 900 SEK for a wheel swap, and 1,200 to 2,500 SEK for a remount with balancing.
Does a tyre change qualify for RUT?
No, RUT and ROT cover the home, not vehicles.
Related guides: preparing your car for winter and protecting your car interior. Back to car and tyres.