Living in Luxembourg: Pros, Cons, and Expat Reviews (Expat Insider 2025)
Every year, InterNations’ Expat Insider survey polls thousands of expatriates living in every corner of the world to better understand their experience of living abroad.Today, this survey isone of the leading international benchmarks for assessing expatriates’ quality of life, working conditions, integration, and overall satisfaction.
In its 2025 edition, Luxembourgranks 18th out of 46 destinations. The Grand Duchy thus reaffirms its appeal thanks to a dynamic job market, high salaries, excellent public services, and a particularly safe environment. However, the cost of housing, the cost of living, and the difficulty of building a social life remain the main challenges faced by newcomers.
Discover the key findings of this study and what they mean in practical terms for preparing for your move to Luxembourg.
Key Figures from Expat Insider 2025
- 18th most populardestination for expats out of 46 destinations surveyed.
- 10,085 expats surveyed representing 172 nationalities.
- RankedNo. 1 worldwide for safety.
- Ranked2nd for salaries and job security.
- Ranked2nd for digital administrative procedures.
- Ranked45th for housing, the country’s main weakness.
Luxembourg as seen by expats: key takeaways
- Luxembourg remains one of the most attractive European destinations for advancing one’s career.
- High salaries partially offset the high cost of living.
- Safety, the quality of infrastructure, and public services rank among the best in the world.
- Housing remains the main challenge for newcomers and should be planned for in advance.
- Integrating into the local community often takes time and requires a proactive effort to build a social network.
Summary
Is Luxembourg still an attractive destination for expatriates?
Yes. Despite dropping a few spots in recent editions, Luxembourg maintains a strong position among the destinations most favored by expatriates. Its dynamic economy , low unemployment rate, central location in Europe, and multicultural environment continue to attract many international talents each year.
The Expat Insider survey, however, shows a shift in expats’ expectations. While career opportunities remain a key driver of expatriation, quality of life, purchasing power, access to housing, and the ease of building social connections now play an equally decisive role in choosing a destination.
Luxembourg scores highly in areas related to employment, safety, and public services. Conversely, the cost of housing and social integration remain the main areas of concern for newcomers.
Why do expats choose Luxembourg?
As in most of the destinations studied by InterNations, professional motivations are by far the most common. Luxembourg attracts highly qualified professionals who come to work in the finance, European institutions, technology, manufacturing, consulting, and healthcare sectors.
Beyond career prospects, the Grand Duchy also appeals for its political stability, quality of life, efficient healthcare system, and international environment. More than half of the capital’s population is foreign, which often makes it easier for newcomers to settle in.
Before making arrangements to move here, we recommend that you consult our guides on job opportunities in Luxembourg, housing, the cost of living, and the key steps involved in relocating.
Luxembourg’s Top Strengths According to Expat Insider 2025
The results of the Expat Insider 2025 survey show that Luxembourg continues to attract expats thanks to several major strengths. The Grand Duchy stands out in particular for the quality of its job market, its level of safety, the quality of its infrastructure, and the efficiency of its public services. These factors explain why many professionals choose Luxembourg to advance their careers and build a life there.
A Particularly Attractive Job Market
As in previous years, career opportunities remain the primary reason many expatriates choose to settle in Luxembourg. The country boasts a diversified economy, driven in particular by finance, European institutions, technology, services, healthcare, industry, and research.
The expatriates surveyed particularly appreciate job stability, career advancement opportunities, and the ease of finding skilled positions in certain sectors facing labor shortages.
Before you begin your search, check out our comprehensive guide to employment and the job market in Luxembourg, as well as our guide on how to find a job in Luxembourg.
Salaries among the highest in Europe
Luxembourg once again ranks among the top countries in terms of salaries and job security. Although the cost of living is high, salaries often allow for a higher standard of living than in many neighboring countries, particularly for skilled workers.
The minimum wage, which is regularly adjusted through the automatic indexation system, also helps maintain a relatively high standard of living.
You can consult our guide on minimum wages and salary levels in Luxembourg, as well as our feature on the cost of living, to better plan your budget.
Luxembourg, the safest country in the ranking
Safety is one of Luxembourg’s main strengths. The expatriates surveyed once again rank the Grand Duchy among the very best destinations worldwide in this area.
This stability translates into a reassuring environment for families, low crime rates, generally stress-free travel, and a particularly peaceful social climate.
This quality of life partly explains why many families choose Luxembourg as their long-term home.
See our article on safety in Luxembourg for an up-to-date overview.
Excellent quality of public services
Expatriatesalso appreciatethe efficiency of Luxembourg’s public services. Administrative processes are largely digitized, and many procedures can be completed online, making it easier for newcomers to settle in.
Luxembourg also boasts modern infrastructure, an efficient transportation network, and a government known for its efficiency.
To prepare for your arrival, be sure to check out our guide to the main administrative steps you’ll need to take when settling in Luxembourg.
A highly regarded healthcare system in Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in Europe. Expats appreciate the quality of care, the accessibility of healthcare professionals, and the overall standard of medical facilities.
Thanks to Luxembourg’s social security system, residents benefit from significant coverage of healthcare expenses, supplemented by supplemental insurance when necessary.
Our guide to the healthcare system in Luxembourg explains how it works and the steps you need to take upon your arrival.
An ideal environment for families
Although Expat Insider no longer publishes a specific ranking for family life, Luxembourg remains a particularly popular destination for expat families. Safety, the quality of education, the many sports and cultural facilities, and the country’s multicultural character are real assets for children.
Families also benefit from a wide range of options, including the Luxembourg school system, European schools, international schools, and French schools.
To learn more, check out our guides on family life in Luxembourg, education, and the various school systems available in Luxembourg.
The Expat Insider results show that expats rarely choose a destination for just one reason. In Luxembourg, it is the combination of several factors—employment , safety, quality of public services, healthcare, and the international environment—that accounts for its appeal. However, these advantages must be weighed against a high cost of living and a particularly tight housing market, which we discuss later in this article.
The main challenges faced by expats in Luxembourg
While Luxembourg scores highly in several areas, the Expat Insider 2025 study also highlights certain challenges that newcomers regularly face. Unsurprisingly, housing, the cost of living, and social integration remain the main areas of concern.
Housing remains the biggest challenge for expats
Housing remains Luxembourg’s weakest point in the Expat Insider 2025 ranking. Expats highlight the difficulty of finding available housing, high rents, and real estate prices, which are among the highest in Europe.
This situation is largely due to insufficient supply in the face of consistently strong demand. Newcomers often have to spend several weeks, or even several months, searching for housing, particularly in the capital and the most sought-after municipalities.
It is therefore essential to prepare for this step before arriving. Setting a budget, expanding your search area, and understanding how the market works can increase your chances of quickly finding suitable housing.
Check out our guides on settling in Luxembourg, the real estate market, renting an apartment, and housing solutions.
A high cost of living, but it’s important to put it into perspective
The cost of living remains a major concern for expatriates. Expenses related to housing, dining out, and certain services are generally higher than in neighboring countries.
However, this reality must be viewed in context. Salary levels in Luxembourg are among the highest in Europe and often offset some of these expenses. Purchasing power therefore depends heavily on family situation, industry, and place of residence.
Before you leave, take the time to estimate your budget using our guide to the cost of living in Luxembourg.
Settling into life in Luxembourg takes time
As in previous editions of the survey, expats feel that it isn’t always easy to build a new social circle in Luxembourg. Many explain that relationships develop gradually and that it’s sometimes necessary to take the first step to meet other people.
This perception can be partly explained by the country’s cultural diversity. Luxembourg is home to more than 170 nationalities. This diversity is a tremendous asset, but people naturally tend to spend time, at first, with those who share their language or culture.
Over time, participating in events, sports activities, clubs, or expat groups generally helps people build a much broader personal and professional network.
Our guides on events in Luxembourg, outings and leisure activities, as well as social gatherings and social life in Luxembourg, will provide you with plenty of ideas for quickly making new connections.
Multilingualism in Luxembourg: a challenge... but also a source of richness
Luxembourg has three official languages—Luxembourgish, French, and German—and English is also widely used in many professional sectors.
This linguistic diversity often surprises newcomers. Although it is possible to live and work in French or English in many settings, learning a few basics of Luxembourgish makes everyday interactions easier and is often seen as a sign of openness that is greatly appreciated by the local population.
You can learn the basics of the language with our Luxembourgish phrasebook.
The main challenges highlighted by expats in Luxembourg shouldn’t discourage you from moving there. Above all, they underscore the importance of thoroughly preparing for your move. Looking for housing early enough, planning your budget, building your network, and doing your research before you arrive will help you avoid most of the challenges faced by newcomers.
Checklist: Preparing for Your Move to Luxembourg with Peace of Mind
✔ Set your budget before looking for housing.
✔ Start the housing search several weeks before moving.
✔ Find out the actual cost of living based on your family situation.
✔ Get involved in events and activities right away to build your network.
✔ Learn a few phrases in Luxembourgish to make initial interactions easier.
✔ Review the Just Arrived practical guides before you leave.
Our analysis: Luxembourg remains a top destination for expats
The results of the Expat Insider 2025 survey confirm a reality we’ve observed for many years at Just Arrived: Luxembourg continues to offer excellent living conditions for expats who properly prepare for their move.
While the Grand Duchy may no longer consistently rank among the very top destinations in the overall rankings, it retains advantages that are rare in Europe: a dynamic job market, high salaries, a particularly safe environment, an efficient government, and high-quality infrastructure.
The challenges mentioned by expats mainly concern housing, the cost of living, and social integration. These challenges are very real, but they can be largely anticipated with proper preparation. This is precisely the goal of the guides offered by Just Arrived: to help newcomers understand the unique aspects of Luxembourg before they leave and to make their transition smoother.
Who is Luxembourg best suited for?
Luxembourg is particularly well-suited for people seeking professional opportunities in an international environment, wishing to live in a stable and safe country, or planning to move abroad with their families. Its diverse school systems, high-quality healthcare, modern infrastructure, and central location in the heart of Europe are major advantages.
However, an expatriation plan deserves careful preparation. It is advisable to start looking for housing early, assess your budget, learn about the administrative procedures, and begin building your network even before you arrive.
In summary, pros and cons
| Key Advantages | Key considerations |
|---|---|
| A dynamic job market | A very tight housing market |
| Salaries among the highest in Europe | A high cost of living |
| An excellent quality of life | Integration that takes time |
| The safest country in the ranking | High real estate prices |
| High-performing public services | A budget that requires careful planning |
Prepare for your move to Luxembourg with Just Arrived
Are you thinking about moving to Luxembourg? Check out all our practical guides to help you get settled:
FAQ: Living in Luxembourg According to Expat Insider 2025
Is Luxembourg a good country for expats?
Yes. According to the Expat Insider 2025 survey, Luxembourg ranks among the most attractive destinations for expats thanks to its dynamic job market, high salaries, high level of safety, and the quality of its public services. The main challenges relate to housing and the cost of living.
Why do expats choose Luxembourg?
Most expats come to Luxembourg for its professional opportunities, career prospects, international environment, and quality of life. Families also appreciate the country’s safety and the quality of its education system.
What are the main drawbacks of living in Luxembourg?
The main challenges identified by expats are the cost of housing, the general cost of living, and the time it can sometimes take to build a social network and become fully integrated.
Is the cost of living offset by salaries?
In many cases, yes. Luxembourg offers some of the highest salaries in Europe, but whether it’s worth it depends on your family situation, your industry, and, above all, your housing budget.
Is it easy to find housing in Luxembourg?
The housing market remains very tight. It’s advisable to start your search several weeks, or even several months, before your arrival and to set a realistic budget.
Can you get by in Luxembourg speaking only French?
Yes, especially in daily life and in many professional fields. However, learning a few basics of Luxembourgish makes communication easier and is a real asset for integration.
Source: InterNations, Expat Insider 2025.