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, home improvements, and housing assistance: these practical matters are essential for getting off to a good start in your daily life in the Grand Duchy.

For expats and newcomers, the rules can vary depending on the municipality, the type of housing, the provider, the landlord, or the homeowners’ association. It is 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 long before the day the boxes arrive. Certain steps must be taken 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 terms for receiving the keys;
• the move-in inspection report if you are a tenant;
• the meter readings;
• home insurance;
• electricity, gas, or heating contracts;
• internet connection;
• parking rules for moving day;
• waste sorting and collection guidelines;
• any rules regarding condominiums or residential complexes.

If you are a tenant, 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 are buying a property, also consider the steps related to insurance, gas, electricity, and water meters, co-ownership fees, any necessary repairs, and the handover of documents by the notary or seller.

Checklist for moving into your home

To make sure you don’t forget anything, here is 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	Certificate to provide, coverage, liability, covered property.
Electricity / gas	Before or immediately after moving in	Utility provider, contract, meter reading, start date.
Water	Before or upon moving in	Managed by the municipality, landlord, or property manager depending on the housing situation.
Heating	Before winter or upon move-in	Type of heating, utility costs, maintenance, and consumption.
Internet	As soon as possible	Setup time, connection, provider, remote work.
Waste	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.
Setup	Before and after moving in	Furniture, appliances, measurements, delivery, any necessary permits.

Set up or transfer electricity, gas, and heating services

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

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

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

Before signing or moving in, ask:

• the type of heating;
• the billing method;
• previous utility usage, if available;
• the energy efficiency rating of the unit;
• 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 or managing water in your home

In Luxembourg, water is 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 purchase.

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 moving into your new home, be sure to check:

• whether the water service is already active;
• 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.

For 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, liability, or damage resulting from certain events.

Before choosing an insurance policy, compare:

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

If you are moving from abroad, check to see if your previous insurance automatically covers 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 provider, the type of housing, and whether an active line is already in place.

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;
• needs related to remote work.

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

More information on the dedicated page: Phone, Internet, and TV Services.

Waste, recycling, and home maintenance

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

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

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

In some municipalities, better sorting can also help reduce the amount of residual waste and thus 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, deliveries, appliances, building restrictions, room sizes, budget, and timelines.

Before buying furniture or scheduling deliveries, consider:

• taking precise measurements of the rooms;
• check the dimensions of staircases, elevators, and doors;
• ask about the building’s delivery policies;
• identifying priority needs for the first few weeks;
• set aside a budget for basic equipment;
• check existing outlets, light fixtures, and equipment;
• anticipate delivery times.

If you are a tenant, always check what you are allowed to modify: painting, wall mounts, installing equipment, changing light fixtures, or specific renovations. 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 depends, 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	Municipality, landlord, or 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 manager.
Internet	Telecom provider.
Minor repairs	Depending on the lease, regulations, 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 agency, the property manager, or the local government. This helps prevent misunderstandings and clarifies 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 prevents you from moving in without a connection or with incomplete paperwork.

Failing to read the meters

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

Forgetting 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, certain procedures depend on the municipality, while others depend on the provider, the landlord, the property manager, or the agency. Identifying the right person to contact saves time.

FAQ — Settling into your new home in Luxembourg