Are winter tyres compulsory in Luxembourg in 2026?

Yes, in winter conditions (black ice, snow, frost), with no fixed date and on all wheels. M+S or 3PMSF tyres are accepted. Fine: €74 and possible immobilisation.

Are my M+S tyres still valid in Germany?

No. In Germany, only tyres bearing the Alpine symbol 3PMSF are recognised as winter tyres. Tyres marked only M+S are no longer sufficient.

Are all-season tyres a good solution?

Yes for moderate use, if they bear the 3PMSF symbol. However, quality varies widely: in the 2026 ADAC test, half of the all-season tyres tested were not recommended.

Do electric cars need special tyres?

Not necessarily, but the load index must match the COC (XL or HL tyres are often required). Keep an eye on wear, which is faster than on a combustion-engine car.

What does the ice symbol on the European label mean?

It designates a Nordic tyre, designed for ice. In Luxembourg, a “classic” winter tyre with the Alpine symbol 3PMSF is generally more suitable.

Club news

Tyres in Luxembourg

Summer, winter or all-season: which tyre should you choose in Luxembourg?

The right tyre depends on how you drive, the seasons and the countries you travel through. Summer, winter or all-season tyres: ACL’s mobility experts help you compare them, read the European tyre label and make sense of the 2026 test results.

Please note: in Luxembourg, suitable tyres are compulsory in winter conditions (snow, ice, frost). If you also drive in Germany or in the French mountain areas, choose a tyre bearing the 3PMSF symbol.

Understanding the differences between summer, winter and all-season tyres

You mainly drive in warm weather: summer tyre.
You regularly drive on snow or in the mountains: winter tyre.
You want a single solution for the whole year: all-season tyre (with 3PMSF marking).

Please note: the all-season tyre is a practical compromise, but it does not match the performance of a genuine winter tyre on snow, nor that of a summer tyre in very hot weather.

Which tyre for which use?

	Summer	Winter	All-season
Best for	Driving mainly in mild, warm weather	Snow, ice, mountains, cold roads	A single set for the whole year, moderate use
Strengths	Braking and road holding on dry and wet surfaces in the warm season	Grip on snow and in cold weather	Practical: no seasonal changeover
Limitations	Unsuitable for winter conditions*	Less suited to very hot weather	Compromise: replaces neither a true winter tyre nor a summer tyre
Marking to check	European tyre label	3PMSF**	3PMSF**

* Winter conditions: snow / slush, black ice and frost.
** The Alpine symbol 3PMSF (three-peak mountain with a snowflake) certifies performance measured on snow.

What this year’s tyre tests show

Winter tyres

ADAC 2026 test, two common tyre sizes.


Tested tyres	32
Not recommended	15
Key takeaway	Several low-cost tyres show poor braking performance on snow and wet roads.

All-season tyres

ADAC 2026 test, small car size (185/65 R15).


Tested tyres	16
Not recommended	8
Key takeaway	Only one tyre received a “good” rating.

Summer tyres

ADAC 2026 test, size 225/50 R17.


Tested tyres	16
Top performers	3
Key takeaway	The best tyre is not the one that excels in a single discipline, but the one that offers the best balance of safety, longevity and efficiency.

Please note: the most important safety criterion remains wet grip. A difference of a few metres in braking distance can be decisive in an emergency.

The same tyre can produce different results

Test results are valid only for the size tested. The same tyre model can produce different results depending on its size and characteristics. Always compare tyres of the same size.

Buying guide

How do you read the European tyre label?

Fuel efficiency (A to E): affects fuel consumption, or the range of an electric car.
Wet grip (A to E): the most important safety criterion.
External rolling noise in decibels (classes A to C).
“Snow” pictogram: the tyre bears the Alpine symbol 3PMSF.
“Ice” pictogram: Nordic tyre, designed for Scandinavia. It is less suited to Luxembourg’s wet roads.
QR code: links to the tyre’s official data sheet in the European EPREL database.

The label says nothing about braking on snow or durability: complement it with test results.

How do you read a tyre?

Tyre size: 195 = width in mm; 65 = aspect ratio, i.e. the sidewall height is 65% of 195 mm
Load index: 91 = 615 kg
Speed rating: H = 210 km/h
Tread wear indicator (TWI)
Date of manufacture (DOT): 0824 = 8th week of 2024
3PMSF marking for winter use
Mounting side: “outside” = side facing outwards

Wear & environment

When should you change your tyres?

Tread depth: 1.6 mm is the legal minimum. ACL recommends changing at 3 mm for summer tyres and 4 mm for winter tyres: below that, grip on wet roads and snow deteriorates significantly.
Age: rubber hardens over time. Check the DOT date on the sidewall (0824 = 8th week of 2024). According to ACL, a tyre loses effectiveness after about 5 years (winter) or 6 years (summer).
Pressure: check your tyre pressure every 3 weeks. An under-inflated tyre wears faster and uses more fuel. The manufacturer’s recommended pressure is usually found on the driver’s door frame, on the fuel filler flap or in the vehicle manual.

Spare wheel and space-saver spare

The space-saver spare is designed only for short-distance emergency use. It must be replaced by a standard wheel as soon as possible.

Maximum speed: 80 km/h. Temporary use only.

In the event of a breakdown, ACL technicians can, where possible, fit a space-saver spare to get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible.

Equipment for winter and the mountains

Snow chains or snow socks: which should you choose?

Snow chains are more robust and offer the best traction on deep snow or ice, but they take more practice to fit.

Textile snow socks are easier to fit and compatible with ABS and ESP. They wear out faster, especially on dry tarmac. In France, the “Loi Montagne II” accepts them as an anti-skid device, on the same basis as metal chains.

Fit them on the driven wheels, before you get stuck.
Drive at a moderate speed (generally 50 km/h maximum) and remove them as soon as the road is clear.
Check that they are properly centred after about fifty metres.
Practise fitting them at home first, not at the side of a snowy road.
Check in your vehicle manual that they are compatible with your tyres.

Winter tyres: where are they compulsory?

COUNTRY	WHEN?	ACCEPTED MARKING	FINE
Luxembourg	In winter conditions* (no fixed date)	M+S or 3PMSF**	€74 + possible immobilisation
Germany	Whenever winter conditions apply (no fixed date)	3PMSF only	€60 to €120 + 1 point
France	1 Nov. – 31 Mar., “Loi Montagne” areas (34 départements)	3PMSF, or chains / snow socks on board	€135
Belgium	No general requirement	—	—

* Winter conditions: snow / slush, black ice and frost.
** M+S only means “Mud & Snow” and is not a test. The Alpine symbol 3PMSF (three-peak mountain with a snowflake) certifies performance measured on snow.

Frequently asked questions

Are winter tyres compulsory in Luxembourg in 2026?
Yes, in winter conditions (black ice, snow, frost), with no fixed date and on all wheels. M+S or 3PMSF tyres are accepted. Fine: €74 and possible immobilisation.
Are my M+S tyres still valid in Germany?
No. In Germany, only tyres bearing the Alpine symbol 3PMSF are recognised as winter tyres. Tyres marked only M+S are no longer sufficient.
Are all-season tyres a good solution?
Yes for moderate use, if they bear the 3PMSF symbol. However, quality varies widely: in the 2026 ADAC test, half of the all-season tyres tested were not recommended.
Do electric cars need special tyres?
Not necessarily, but the load index must match the COC (XL or HL tyres are often required). Keep an eye on wear, which is faster than on a combustion-engine car.
What does the ice symbol on the European label mean?
It designates a Nordic tyre, designed for ice. In Luxembourg, a “classic” winter tyre with the Alpine symbol 3PMSF is generally more suitable.

Our mobility experts have the answers.

Download the full brochure “Everything about tyres”.

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