Safety in Luxembourg: Understanding the Risks and Adopting the Right Habits
For several months now, residents and newcomers have been facing a rise in crime in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, as in many European cities. Safety has become a real, everyday concern.
You take the tram to work, the bus to drop off your children, or the train to travel to another city. You pass through the area around Luxembourg City’s central station every day and hear more and more talk of burglaries. This article offers an informed, nuanced , and practical perspective to help you understand the current situation and adjust your habits without causing unnecessary anxiety.
Changing Crime Trends: Understanding the Numbers
The latest reports from the Grand Ducal Police and statistical analyses show a shift in criminal behavior in Luxembourg in recent years. In public transportation, for example, an increase in reports of assaults was observed in 2025, with nearly 550 assaults targeting primarily transit workers and more than 650 incidents reported on trains, often involving insults or threats directed at staff.
These figures must first and foremost be viewed in context. In recent years, the digitization of reporting has made reporting more systematic. This digitization increases the number of officially recorded incidents, without necessarily making every trip dangerous.
Nationally, property-related offenses remain significant. According to the latest available data, property offenses, including thefts and burglaries, account for a significant portion of cases handled by the police. Several thousand cases are recorded each year. The latest figures show that more than 40,000 property crimes were recorded, including nearly 3,973 burglaries. A large portion of these crimes involves non-violent thefts (pickpocketing or simple thefts) in the country’s urban and densely populated areas.
Public transportation and the station area: what’s happening on the ground
On public transportation, tensions are most often observed in the late afternoon, during the rush hour and transfer times. As passenger traffic increases, behavior can sometimes escalate. This partly explains why the busiest lines and transfer hubs, such as the central station, account for a significant portion of reports.
To address these developments, authorities have implemented concrete measures. In 2025, the Gare-Hollerich police station expanded its operations to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Police presence there has been reinforced. In addition, regular patrols are conducted on trains and at stations, including joint operations with Belgian and French police forces. Video surveillance is being gradually expanded in high-risk areas, and many officers are equipped with body cameras to improve security and incident tracking.
Furthermore, transit operators have adapted their systems. Bus drivers are gradually being better protected through enclosed cabins, which reduces situations of direct confrontation. Tests to increase staff presence on trams have also been introduced, with additional security officers on certain lines and during specific time slots.
Simple habits in daily life
The good habits you adopt in your daily life matter just as much as institutional measures. On public transit, choose crowded areas whenever possible, avoid isolating yourself in a sparsely occupied car or compartment, and keep your personal belongings within sight, especially during rush hour.
Around the station and in high-crime areas, stick to well-lit and busy routes if you need to head home at night. Avoid isolated shortcuts that lack sufficient visibility.
Home Burglaries: A Reality You Need to Know
Safety isn’t limited to public spaces and transportation. It also applies to your home. According to recent surveys, approximately 12% of Luxembourg residents reported having been the victim of a burglary or attempted burglary in the past five years. These figures include both single-family homes and apartments. In these cases, the majority of burglaries directly target the primary residence.
However, in recent years, law enforcement has observed a shift in the types of burglaries. Increasingly, reported incidents target basements, underground parking lots, or shared garages, requiring heightened vigilance from residents. To prevent these types of risks, police prevention services offer personalized advice and home security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and recommend appropriate measures.
It is important to note that burglaries affect the entire country. However , certain denser urban areas have a higher rate of reported incidents. During certain months of 2025, the police recorded a series of incidents involving break-ins or attempted burglaries, including in neighborhoods of the capital and its surrounding areas. In these cases, incidents often occur between late afternoon and early morning, times when homes are less occupied and visibility is reduced.
What you can do to better protect your home
Prevention starts at home. Making it a habitto alwayslock all doors and windows, even during short absences, is essential. It may seem obvious, but opportunistic thieves often take advantage of a slightly open window or a door that hasn’t been properly locked. Installing a visible alarm system or motion detectors also acts as a deterrent. In addition, well-planned outdoor lighting eliminates dark areas around your home.
Police prevention services also recommend reporting any extended absence via the “Going on Vacation” service, available on the Grand Ducal Police website. Once informed of your absence, patrols can proactively monitor your area. Finally, informing trusted neighbors and asking them to report any suspicious activity strengthens community safety.
Finally, to avoid tempting people with bad intentions, consider limiting the visibility of valuables from the outside, such as electronic devices or bags. This will make your home less attractive to an opportunistic burglar.
In case of an emergency or incident
If you find yourself in a situation requiring immediate assistance, dial 112, the European emergency number available 24 hours a day.
For direct police assistance or to report an incident that has just occurred, 113 is the dedicated number. Providing a precise description of the location, time, and circumstances of the incident will help ensure a more effective response.
See the page dedicated to medical emergencies and first aid.
A message for newcomers
In Luxembourg, as in any European capital, crime does occur, and tensions can arise in certain situations. But these incidents are better understood when viewed from a broader perspective, with comparative data and active prevention measures. Most commutes, evenings, and days pass without major incident, and by following a few simple habits, you can go about your daily life with confidence.
The goal is not to create undue anxiety, but to provide you with concrete guidelines so you feel informed, prepared, and in control of your surroundings, whether on public transportation or at home.