Guide to a successful expatriation

Are you thinking of moving to Luxembourg? Whether you’re coming alone, as a couple, or with your family, this guide is for you! Get all the essential information you need to make a successful move and fully enjoy your new life in the Grand Duchy.

Discover the ultimate guide to settling in Luxembourg

Fitting in isn’t always easy when you arrive in a new country. Luxembourg is no exception to the rule, even if you’re part of the European Union and are a European yourself. As an expat or the spouse of an expat, the challenge is to find your footing no matter where you’re living.

You’ll also find our analysis here of the different phases of living abroad in Luxembourg and how to overcome the challenges.

To help you settle in, Just Arrived is an information site and guide created by expats for expats. Drawing on our own experience as expats in Luxembourg and that of other expats in Luxembourg, we share our tips to help you integrate as smoothly as possible into your new country.

To discover all the pros and cons, it’s essential to fully understand life in Luxembourg as an expat.

Check out our practical guides to settling in Luxembourg.

Why choose Luxembourg?

A multicultural and welcoming country

Luxembourg may be small in size, with an area of less than 3,000 km². But it is home to a highly diverse population, with nearly 50% of residents being foreign nationals.

With its three official languages (Luxembourgish, French, and German) and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, it is a top destination for expats. This cultural richness is evident in daily life and local events.

Luxembourg is a country that fosters respect for others. Learn more about Luxembourg’s social norms here.

A safe living environment and a dynamic economy

With one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world, Luxembourg offers numerous professional opportunities. The country also stands out for its safety, modern infrastructure, and the quality of its public services.

And thanks to recent laws on acquiring Luxembourgish citizenship, more and more residents are becoming Luxembourgish citizens.

Integrating easily in Luxembourg

Understanding local cultural norms

Despite its multiculturalism, Luxembourgish culture remains strong. And Luxembourg is committed to preserving its traditions.

To integrate successfully, it’s helpful to learn a few words of Luxembourgish and respect the country’s customs and traditions. This simple effort facilitates interactions and enhances your integration.

Adapting to the cost of living

The cost of living in Luxembourg, particularly for housing, is high. The housing crisis is even driving some residents to move to neighboring countries where housing costs are lower. Negotiating your salary before moving abroad is therefore crucial to maintaining a good standard of living.

Administrative procedures for settling in Luxembourg

Before your departure and upon your arrival, certain administrative formalities are essential for settling in Luxembourg:

• Obtaining a visa or residence permit depending on your status and the reason for your move to Luxembourg
• Enrolling in social security for all family members
• Opening a bank account to pay for purchases and receive your salary
• Taking out mandatory insurance.

Finding housing in Luxembourg

Finding housing in Luxembourg can be a challenge due to high demand and high prices. You can find various types of housing, from studios to large family homes. Depending on your budget or preferences, you may prefer to live in the city or further out in the different regions of Luxembourg.

The main websites for finding housing are:

• athome.lu
• immotop.lu
• wortimmo.lu

Check out our Housing section for all the information you need to easily find a place to live in Luxembourg.

Working in Luxembourg: Opportunities and Advice

How to find a job in Luxembourg?

The job market is booming, particularly in the finance, information technology, and logistics sectors. You’ll find all the information you need to find a job in Luxembourg here in our Employment & Vocational Training section .

These job sites can also help you in your search:

• Adem.lu: Luxembourg’s public employment service
• Jobs.lu, Indeed, Jobteaser, Monster, Moovijob: job listing sites

Recognition of degrees and work permits

Qualifications from the European Union are generally recognized in Luxembourg. For regulated professions, it may be necessary to have your qualifications validated.

The school system and childcare

Luxembourg schools and international schools

Public schools follow a trilingual curriculum (Luxembourgish, French, German).

For an international education, several private schools are available,notably the European School. Several English- and French-speaking schools are also present in Luxembourg. Additionally, public schools offer curricula in English or French. These schools offer the advantage of free education, open to all.

Childcare

Daycare centers and "Maisons-relais" welcome children from a very young age. Costs may be partially covered by the government through financial assistance for families, specifically for after-school programs .

Health and emergencies: what you need to know

Luxembourg has a highly efficient healthcare system. Every resident is covered by health insurance through the National Health Fund (CNS).

Doctors and specialists are easily accessible for medical consultations.

The network of pharmacies is well-developed, with locations near your home or workplace.

What to do in an emergency?

In case of an emergency, dial 112, the European emergency number.

The best-known hospitals are the CHL (Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg) and the Clinique Bohler. However, many other hospitals also provide high-quality medical care and treatment.

Guidelines for living and integrating in Luxembourg as an expat

General Overview of Life in Luxembourg

On our pages, you’ll find all the essential information you need to settle in Luxembourg. This will help you better prepare for your move and find your way around once you arrive.

First, to better understand the people of Luxembourg, discover how the country’s history has shaped its culture. This culture is rooted in Christian traditions but has evolved alongside the waves of immigration the country has experienced.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg operates as a constitutional monarchy headed by a Grand Duke.

National Day is celebrated on June 23. It’s a great opportunity to sample Luxembourgish specialties.

Daily Life in Luxembourg

Once you arrive in Luxembourg, it’s a good idea to get your bearings quickly to make daily life easier.

By consulting our pages, you’ll learn how and where to do your grocery shopping and other shopping.

You’ll also find useful information for maintaining your home, such as waste collection and recycling.

But when you’re far from home, it’s nice to recharge your batteries with the people you love and who know you. How can you stay in touch with family and friends when you’re far from your home country? Which media outlets should you follow to stay informed? These are all questions you’re likely to ask yourself.

We also provide some useful tips for your future outings and leisure activities.

The 6 Must-Visit Websites for Expats in Luxembourg

To get your bearings, visit justarrived.lu

Of course, there’s justarrived.lu, the #1 source of information for expats in Luxembourg....

Designed and maintained by expats in Luxembourg, our website justarrived.lu aims to provide you with comprehensive and relevant information on the essentials you need to know when arriving or living as an expat in Luxembourg.

Feel free to download our free Guide for Newcomers to Luxembourg. It provides all the useful information you need to settle in and integrate in a convenient format.

Here is also our list of other must-know websites for those arriving and living in Luxembourg! Whether bookmarked in your browser or accessible via a mobile app, they will be very useful in your daily life to make living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg easier.

Getting around in Luxembourg: mobiliteit.lu

Comprehensive, accurate, and intuitive, Mobiliteit.lu is the go-to website for public transportation in Luxembourg.

The mobiliteit.lu website is a real goldmine for planning and organizing your trips around the Grand Duchy using public transportation.

For all administrative information, visit Guichet.lu

Guichet.lu is the portal set up by the Luxembourg government to help you navigate and complete all your administrative procedures in Luxembourg.

Have you just arrived as an expat and are looking for specific information on the administrative procedures you need to complete? Guichet.lu will provide you with all the official information on registering your residence in Luxembourg, finding housing, labor law, elections, consumer protection, and more.

You can also complete administrative procedures online via Myguichet.lu. With fully secure access, you can complete your procedures electronically, store documents, and more . The administrative forms you need to fill out are directly accessible based on your situation.

Are you ready to move to Luxembourg? What do you need to know about importing your belongings?

To find a job, visit ADEM

If you ’re looking for a job in Luxembourg, visit the adem.lu job portal for all the information you need to find work.

Once you arrive and register with Adem, you can receive personalized support. Adem also handles unemployment benefits if you are eligible.

For healthcare, SanteSecu.lu and doctena.lu

SanteSecu.lu is the official health portal. On the site, you’ll find general information about healthcare in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. You’ll also find a blog covering many current health topics.

The official SanteSecu.lu website provides information on health-relatedlegislation , as well as events, conferences, and other activities planned on the topic of health in Luxembourg. It offers numerous comprehensive guides on nutrition, pregnancy, cannabis, tobacco, vaccinations, and more.

Want to make an appointment with a healthcare professional? Doctena.lu is a portal that lets you choose the specialty and preferred language of communication with the practitioner to find a doctor or healthcare professional near you.

Booking an appointment online is instant thanks to direct access to the practitioner’s schedule. The appointment can also be added directly to your calendar. Doctena then sends you reminders so you never miss an appointment.

For even more general and practical information about Luxembourg, click here.