Car hire companies are ploughing money into their coffers with a 'winterisation' charge at many European ski destinations this winter, including Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Barcelona, Turin and Sophia in Bulgaria.

The ‘winterisation’ charge, which includes the price of winter tyres and/or snow chains, and can normally only be paid for at the rental desk, vary widely.

The average 'winterisation' fee across the six destinations was £43, but travellers could pay up to £95 in Barcelona with Avis, falling to a more reasonable £49 if hiring from Europcar in Grenoble and down to £19 in Sofia, hiring from Sixt.

The research, by iCarhireinsurance.com, the leading provider of stand-alone car hire excess insurance, was for a week's car hire from 27 December 2016 to 3 January 2017.

In all the destinations, apart from Turin, the winterisation charge is optional. Hiring from Turin, however, travellers should expect to pay a compulsory fee of £33 when hiring from Hertz and Avis and £38 with Europcar.

It is the driver's responsibility, not the rental company, to ensure that the hire car is equipped for the wintery conditions they are driving in, which can be a challenge when the rules on winter tyres and snow chains differ from country to country.

Winter tyres, for instance, are mandatory in Germany and Austria in wintery conditions, while they are 'recommended' in Switzerland, Andorra, Bulgaria, and Italy, however vehicles which are not equipped to travel through snow, and which impede traffic, may be fined. In France, winter tyres are not mandatory but in snowy conditions special signs can indicate that they should be used. (Source: AA and RAC)

In Austria driving without winter tyres between the start of November and mid-April can lead to a fine of around €5,000 (£3,508) as well as the risk of the car being impounded. Despite this, expect to pay an average price of £31 for winter tyres and snow chains at Innsbruck.

Many travellers do not realise that the onus is on the driver, not the hire company, to know the rules and regulations of the country they’re hiring in, said Ernesto Suarez, CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance.com. Police roadblocks near to ski resorts are common in the Alps, for instance, and police will refuse entry to a car without chains if it's a designated 'snow chain' area. The driver may also have to pay a fine.

iCarhireinsurance has produced a winter driving infographic giving tips on winter driving and details of the rules in different European countries.

For more information please contact:

  • Frances Knox, Frankly PR T: 07850 470123 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Cath Roan, Roan Media This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +44 7801817451
  • Or Ben Wooltorton, Sales and Marketing Director, Halo Insurance Services Ltd
    Tel: +44 7739 719 570 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Disclaimer: All prices contained in this article were correct on the original date of publication. Prices may change over time, so for current prices, please get a quote.