Winter tyres and snow chains for trucks in Sweden and Norway, winter 2026/27

Winter rules for trucks in Sweden and Norway

Sweden and Norway both set winter rules for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, but the dates and the equipment differ. Sweden asks for winter tyres on the whole combination from 10 November 2026 to 10 April 2027. Norway asks for 5 mm of tread and chains on board from 1 November, and for winter tyres from 15 November.

The table compares the two countries for a truck with a trailer. “The north” means the Norwegian counties Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. A tractor with a standard curtainsider trailer is over 3.5 tonnes, so every rule in the table applies to it.

Winter 2026/27 calendar for trucks in Sweden and Norway

The first winter requirement started on 16 October 2026, only in northern Norway. The last one ends there on 30 April 2027. Sweden uses one period, from 10 November 2026 to 10 April 2027. Norway uses one period for tread and chains and another for winter tyres. The end of the chain period moves with Easter.

In most of Norway, the 5 mm and chain period ends on the first Sunday after Easter Monday. Easter Monday 2027 is 29 March, so the period ends on Sunday 4 April 2027. The winter tyre period has fixed dates, 15 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Sweden: winter tyres from 10 November in any weather

In Sweden, heavy trucks, heavy buses and the trailers they pull must have winter tyres or equivalent equipment from 10 November to 10 April. The rule applies on every day of that period, also on dry roads. Transportstyrelsen says it covers all tyres on the combination and also vehicles registered abroad.

The rule is new since winter 2025/26. Before, heavy trucks needed winter tyres from 1 December to 31 March, and only in winter road conditions. A government memo in 2025 proposed 1 November to 15 April and a duty to carry snow chains. The government chose 10 November to 10 April and no chain duty. The new rules started on 1 November 2025.

• Tyres on the front and drive axles of the truck need the alpine symbol (3PMSF) or the POR marking (Professional Off Road), or they must be studded. M+S tyres are enough on other axles and on the trailer.
• All tyres on a heavy truck need at least 5 mm of tread from 10 November to 10 April. Tyres on the trailer need at least 1.6 mm.

Norway: 5 mm tread, chains on board and winter tyres

In Norway, vehicles and trailers over 3,500 kg need at least 5 mm of tread from 1 November to the first Sunday after Easter Monday. Trucks must also carry snow chains in that period. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, the period is 16 October to 30 April. Winter tyres are mandatory from 15 November to 31 March.

From 15 November, the truck needs tyres with the alpine symbol (3PMSF) on drive axles and front steering axles. Other axles may use M+S or 3PMSF tyres. Trailers over 3,500 kg need M+S or 3PMSF tyres on all axles.

The chain rule also applies outside these dates, whenever snow or ice on the road can be expected. A truck alone carries at least three chains. A truck with a trailer carries at least five or seven, depending on the wheels on the drive axle.

Mountain passes and convoy driving in Norway

Statens vegvesen counts 23 mountain passes on the Norwegian national road network. In winter weather, it can organise convoy driving on a pass, in Norwegian kolonnekjøring. A snowplough leads the convoy and another drives at the back. A pass can also close for a time. A barrier then stops traffic until the road opens again.

A truck may wait for a convoy or for a pass to open. For winter loads to Norway, agree a delivery window with the receiver instead of a fixed hour.

Winter loads between Lithuania, Sweden and Norway

At RNJ Transport, our own 2 MAN TGX trucks mostly carry full loads between Lithuania and Sweden. They cross the Baltic Sea by ferry. From 10 November, every trip in Sweden needs winter tyres on the truck and the trailer. We also plan loads between Lithuania and Norway.

A truck that drives to Norway through Sweden must meet the rules of both countries. The trailer shows the difference. In Sweden, trailer tyres need at least 1.6 mm of tread. In Norway, trailers over 3,500 kg need 5 mm from 1 November. Tell us the full route when you book.

Winter booking checklist for Sweden and Norway

Use these steps for a load between Lithuania and Sweden or Norway from October 2026 to April 2027. Each step follows from the rules above.

1. 1

   Check the dates

   Sweden needs winter tyres from 10 November 2026 to 10 April 2027. Norway needs 5 mm tread and chains from 1 November, or from 16 October in the north.

2. 2

   Name the full route

   Tell us if the load goes to Norway through Sweden. The truck must then meet the rules of both countries.

3. 3

   Add time to the plan

   Agree a delivery window with the receiver. A truck in Norway may wait for a convoy or for a mountain pass to open.

4. 4

   Prepare the papers for Norway

   Norway is outside the EU, so loads to and from Norway need export and import declarations. Have them ready before the loading day.

5. 5

   Book early

   Ask for a price as soon as you know the loading date. Send the route, the date and the load size in the price form.