From January 2006 winter tyres required by law in Germany when road conditions are appropriate!
Also only about 50% of rental cars in Germany are fitted with winter tyres and most of the rental companies charge extra.
The general rule here though is once temperatures drop below +7 - +5°C that winter tyres have superior properties to summer.
There are a few sales of all season tyres here but generally it is agreed that they offer the worst of both worlds and dedicated summer / winter tyres are preferable.
I am not sure how drivers coming to southern Germany from European countries where they do not have winter tyres will be treated!



