Moving into Your New Home in Luxembourg: Steps to Take and Practical Tips

Have you just found a place to live in Luxembourg? After signing the lease or purchasing your property, there are several steps you’ll need to take to settle in smoothly. Water, electricity, heating, insurance, waste management, internet, furnishing your home, and housing assistance: these practical matters are essential for getting your daily life off to a good start in the Grand Duchy.

For expats and newcomers, the rules can vary depending on the municipality, the type of housing, the service provider, the landlord, or the homeowners’ association. It’s therefore helpful to understand the main steps before moving in.

This page helps you organize the steps related to your housing, avoid common oversights, and quickly access Just Arrived’s detailed practical guides.

Before moving in: steps to take in advance

Moving in begins well before the day the boxes arrive. There are certain steps you should take as soon as you know the move-in date for your new home.

Before you receive the keys, be sure to check the following:

• the exact move-in date;
• the procedures for receiving the keys;
• the move-in inspection report if you are a tenant;
• the meter readings;
• home insurance;
• electricity, gas, or heating contracts;
• the internet connection;
• parking rules for moving day;
• waste sorting and collection guidelines;
• any rules governing condominiums or residential complexes.

If you’re a renter, the lease agreement and the move-in inspection report are essential documents. Check out our dedicated guide: Lease Agreements in Luxembourg: Everything You Need to Know Before Signing.

If you’re buying a property, also consider the steps involved with insurance, gas, electricity, and water meters, condominium fees, any necessary repairs, and the handover of documents by the notary or the seller.

Checklist for Moving into Your New Home

To make sure you don’t forget anything, here’s a checklist of the main steps to take when you move into a home in Luxembourg.

Step	When should you take care of this?	What to check
Home insurance	Before moving in	Proof of coverage, coverage limits, liability coverage, and covered property.
Electricity / Gas	Before or immediately after moving in	Service provider, contract, meter reading, start date.
Water	Before or upon moving in	Managed by the municipality, the landlord, or the property manager, depending on the housing situation.
Heating	Before winter or upon moving in	Type of heating, utility costs, maintenance, and energy consumption.
Internet	As soon as possible	Activation time, connection, provider, remote work.
Trash	Upon arrival	Collection schedule, bags or bins, recycling, bulky items.
Official address	After moving in	Notify the municipality of your arrival or change of address.
Settling In	Before and after moving in	Furniture, appliances, measurements, delivery, and any necessary permits.

Set up or transfer your electricity, gas, and heating services

When you move in, electricity or gas may already be available in the home. In this case, you’ll generally need to transfer an existing contract or sign up for a new one in your name with an energy provider.

In Luxembourg, you can choose your electricity provider. In practice, it’s important to check the meter, the network operator, the move-in date, and the chosen provider. If you switch providers, your service is generally guaranteed to continue uninterrupted.

Heating depends on the type of residence: individual heating, central heating, gas, heating oil, heat pump, district heating, or another system. In an apartment, heating may be included in the monthly service charges, with an annual adjustment.

Before signing the lease or moving in, ask:

• the type of heating;
• the billing method;
• previous utility usage, if available;
• the property’s energy efficiency rating;
• estimated monthly utility costs;
• the date of the last boiler maintenance, if applicable.

For detailed instructions, see: Heating and Electricity: Connection, Meter Activation, and Billing.

Connecting to or managing water service in your home

In Luxembourg, water services are generally managed at the municipal level. The procedures may vary depending on the municipality, the type of housing, and the situation: single-family home, condominium, rental, or owner-occupied.

In a house, the contract or billing may be directly with the municipality. In an apartment, water service may be managed through the condominium fees or by the landlord.

When you move into your new home, be sure to check:

• whether the water service has already been activated;
• who is responsible for the contract;
• how utility usage is tracked;
• whether water is included in the utility bills;
• whether a meter reading is required;
• the steps to take with the local municipality.

To learn everything you need to know about water-related procedures, see: Water in Luxembourg: Connection, Meter Activation, and Billing.

Home Insurance: A Step You Shouldn’t Forget

Home insurance is one of the essential steps when moving in. It protects the home , personal property, and the liability of the tenant or owner, depending on the coverage selected.

For a tenant, the landlord or real estate agency may request proof of insurance before handing over the keys. For a homeowner, insurance covers the property against various risks: fire, water damage, theft, civil liability, or damage related to certain events.

Before choosing an insurance policy, compare your options:

• the coverage included;
• exclusions;
• deductibles;
• the insured value of your household goods;
• liability coverage;
• coverage for water damage or fire;
• options tailored to your home.

If you’re moving from abroad, check to make sure your previous insurance doesn’t automatically cover your new home in Luxembourg. Local insurance is often required.

For more information, visit our page on home insurance.

Internet, Phone Service, and Remote Work

Internet access has become a top priority when moving to a new place, especially for expats who work remotely or want to stay connected with their families abroad.

Setup or activation times may vary depending on the address, the service provider, the type of housing, and whether there is already an active line.

Before moving in, check:

• whether the residence is already connected to fiber or an internet line;
• which providers are available at your address;
• installation times;
• any potential fees;
• the quality of the mobile network in the home;
• your remote work needs.

If you work remotely, it may be helpful to set up a temporary mobile solution until the landline connection is activated.

For more information, visit the dedicated page: Phone, Internet, and TV Services.

Preparing Your Home to Receive Mail and Packages

As soon as you move in, take a few minutes to make sure your home is properly identified. A clearly marked mailbox and a complete address not only make it easier to receive your mail but also ensure the delivery of your packages.

Make sure your name is clearly displayed on the mailbox and the doorbell, especially if you live in an apartment building. Also check that your address includes all the necessary information: street number, apartment or floor number (if applicable), and a phone number that can be provided to delivery companies when you place online orders.

These simple precautions can help prevent many delivery delays or failed deliveries, especially during the first few weeks after you move in.

If you’re often away during the day, keep in mind that you can also have your packages delivered to pickup locations or automated lockers so you can pick them up at a time that’s most convenient for you.

To learn more about delivery options, POST Luxembourg’s services, carriers, and online shopping, see our guide “Sending and Receiving Packages in Luxembourg.”

Waste, Recycling, and Home Maintenance

Waste management varies by municipality. Collection days , types of bins, permitted bags, sorting rules, and pickup services may differ from one municipality to another.

As soon as you arrive, check with your local municipality or your residence regarding:

• the collection schedule;
• the available bins;
• how to sort paper, glass, packaging, food waste, and residual waste;
• the rules for bulky items;
• recycling centers;
• hazardous or special waste;
• requirements specific to your apartment building or condominium.

In some municipalities, better sorting can also help reduce the amount of residual waste and, consequently, certain collection costs.

For more information on this topic, see: Living in Your Home in Luxembourg: Essential Procedures and Services.

Setting Up Your Home in Luxembourg

Once the administrative procedures are underway, it’s time to set up your home. For expats, this step is often more complex than it seems: buying furniture, arranging deliveries, dealing with appliances, building restrictions, room dimensions, budget, and timelines.

Before buying furniture or scheduling deliveries, consider the following:

• take precise measurements of the rooms;
• check the dimensions of staircases, elevators, and doors;
• ask about the building’s delivery policies;
• identify your top priorities for the first few weeks;
• set aside a budget for basic furnishings;
• check existing outlets, light fixtures, and equipment;
• anticipate delivery times.

If you’re a renter, always check what you’re allowed to modify: painting, wall mounts, installing equipment, changing light fixtures, or making specific modifications. These specific points may be included in your lease agreement. Be sure to check carefully before doing any work.

For more information, see: Setting Up Your Home in Luxembourg: Tips for Settling In.

Housing assistance and relocation assistance

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for housing assistance in Luxembourg. Some programs are for renters, others for homeowners, and still others for people undertaking adaptation or renovation work.

Assistance may cover:

• rental guarantees;
• rent subsidies;
• homeownership assistance;
• loan interest;
• energy-efficient renovations;
• home modifications for people with disabilities;
• certain home improvement projects.

Eligibility requirements depend, in particular, on income, household composition, the type of housing, and whether the home is used as a primary residence.

Visit our dedicated page: Housing Assistance in Luxembourg: What You Need to Know.

Renter or Homeowner: Who Does What?

When moving in, it’s not always clear what falls under the tenant’s, the landlord’s, the property manager’s, or the municipality’s responsibility.

Topic	Who should you check with?
Water	The municipality, the landlord, or the property manager, depending on the type of housing.
Electricity	Energy provider and grid operator.
Central heating	Landlord, property manager, or residence manager.
Home insurance	Insurer chosen by the tenant or landlord.
Waste	Municipality, residence, or property management company.
Internet	Telecom provider.
Minor repairs	Depending on the lease, the rules, or the responsibility of the owner/tenant.
Common areas	Building manager or property manager.

If in doubt, keep a record of all written communications with the landlord, the real estate agency, the property manager, or the local government. This helps prevent misunderstandings and clarify responsibilities.

Common mistakes during installation

Waiting until the last minute to set up electricity or internet

Some services may take several days or weeks to set up. Planning ahead helps you avoid moving in without a connection or with incomplete setups.

Failing to read the meters

Recording your water, electricity, and gas meter readings helps prevent disputes over usage before you move in.

Forgetting to get home insurance

Proof of insurance may be requested before the keys are handed over. It must therefore be prepared in advance.

Failing to check the building’s rules

Some residential complexes have specific rules regarding moving, deliveries, trash, noise, or the use of common areas.

Underestimating the moving budget

Even after paying the rent or purchase price, moving in involves additional costs: furniture, appliances, internet, insurance, moving expenses, equipment, and minor repairs.

Not asking the right person for information

In Luxembourg, some procedures depend on the municipality, while others depend on the service provider, the landlord, the property manager, or the real estate agency. Identifying the right person to contact can save you time.

FAQ — Settling into Your New Home in Luxembourg