Integration of newcomers: policy, resources and organizations

Integration policy in Luxembourg

Every year, Luxembourg sees its population increase significantly due to a growing economic situation, which is favorable to a positive migratory balance.
Therefore, the integration of these newcomers is a major challenge for the Grand Duchy. These numerous immigrants from other European countries, or from other continents, must be able to integrate easily and quickly, to participate concretely in the development of the country.

The integration process is a two-way street. To be successful, it must be the work of both parties: the immigrant and the host country. In Luxembourg, the state, the municipalities and civil society are working together to ensure the successful integration of newcomers.

Integration’s tools

Education and learning of Luxembourgish

Foreign children arriving in Luxembourg and enrolled in the Luxembourg primary school system benefit from a special system that allows them to integrate quickly and easily. Personalized linguistic support is offered to them in their new school. Learn more about the reception system for newcomer students.

For employees, 200 hours of training leave is granted throughout their working life in Luxembourg. This training leave allows them tolearn Luxembourgish.

The National Action Plan for Integration

A new National Action Plan for Integration (NAP Integration) was adopted in July 2018. Implemented by the Ministry of Family and Integration, it provides for the integration of all non-Luxembourg residents. In addition, it offers a specific reception and social accompaniment to applicants for international protection. This support is achieved through easier access to information, the quality of the services offered, coordination and cooperation in Luxembourg and internationally.

The Reception and Integration Contract – CAI

The Luxembourg government has developed innovative integration measures for newcomers (over 16). Gathered within the framework of the “Contrat d’Accueil et d’Intégration” (CAI), these measures aim to discover or become more familiar with the history, customs, languages or values of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The benefits contained in the IAC are:

• language courses at reduced rates (Luxembourgish, French and/or German). The learner can reach at least level A.1 in one of the three reference languages in Luxembourg,
• civics classes. They allow the signatory of the Reception and Integration Contract to know how to live together in a multicultural Luxembourg. They learn about Luxembourgish traditions and customs, the historical basis and the political organization of the country in order to integrate more easily into the Grand Duchy,
• a free orientation day that will allow the participant to become familiar with the official organizations in a friendly atmosphere.

Learn more about CAI

This knowledge is necessary to acquire Luxembourg nationality.

Diversity Charter and Diversity Day Lëtzebuerg

Every year since 2015, the Diversity Charter Lëtzebuerg organises the Diversity Day Lëtzebuerg. For this national diversity day, the various economic actors mobilise around concrete actions to promote diversity and militate for inclusion.

The Diversity Day Lëtzebuerg is an opportunity to recall the challenges of diversity within companies and our modern societies. Everyone should have a chance to achieve the career they want, regardless of their individual characteristics.

It was in 2016, during the Diversity Day in Luxembourg, that Just Arrived and the JAA Club were present at the Casino of Mondorf-les-Bains to sign the Diversity Charter, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere! It was an opportunity to exchange ideas, but also to meet people around a common theme: diversity.

Acting for diversity in the company means recognising the difference of others and integrating different human profiles, whatever their origins, cultures, generations, genders or physical appearance, disabilities, sexual orientations…. The diversity and richness of a company and/or a business will be born from these differences.

Integration organizations

The Luxembourg government is doing everything possible to welcome new residents and ensure that they integrate as quickly as possible.

Nevertheless, it is true that arriving in a country that is not one’s own is not easy for anyone. Also, whatever theprofessional, personal or family situation , many associations and organizations are there to help expatriates in their integration in Luxembourg.

The ONA – National Office of Hospitality

The National Office of Reception (ONA) is an administration placed under the authority of the Minister having Asylum in his attributions. It is responsible fororganize the reception of applicants for international protection. It is also responsible for creating and managing accommodation facilities for the temporary housing of applicants for international protection, refugees and persons eligible for subsidiary protection.
The National Office of Hospitality (NOH) was created by the Act of December 4, 2019. The provisions of the new hospitality law went into effect on January 1, 2020.

The ONA replaces the former Office luxembourgeois de l’accueil et de l’intégration (OLAI) established by the amended law of 16 December 2008, concerning the reception and integration of foreigners in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The ONA’s website will allow you to find out more about the ONA’s responsibilities and the reception system set up in Luxembourg.

The offices of the National Office of Hospitality (ONA) are open to the public from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00. They are located at 5, rue Carlo Hemmer L-1734 Luxembourg-Kirchberg .
ONA offers telephone hotlines in several languages (German, English, French, Serbo-Croatian, Russian, Albanian, Tigrigna, Arabic and Farsi). Tel: +352 247-85700

The CNE – National Council for Foreigners

The National Council for Foreigners in Luxembourg is an institutional advisory body, created in 1993. In a country where almost 50% of the resident population is foreign, the existence of the CNE is strategic.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Family and Integration of Luxembourg, its mission, on its own initiative or at the request of the government, is to study the integration of foreigners in Luxembourg. The objective is to remedy possible problems of reception and integration of foreigners in the Grand Duchy.

The CNE has a 5-year mandate. The last election was held in July 2017. The CNE consists of:

• 22 members from civil society* elected by Luxembourg associations working for the integration of foreigners in Luxembourg to represent foreigners in Luxembourg,
• one refugee representative and two civil society representatives proposed by the government
• a representative of SYVICOL, the Luxembourg towns and municipalities union
• four representatives of the employers’ organizations,
• four union representatives.

The members of the CNE elect the President and the Vice-President of the National Council on Foreigners by a majority vote.

*Any person over 18 years of age residing in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg may stand for election to the CNE. The candidate must be a non-Luxembourg national only, and have full legal capacity and voting rights. A member who subsequently obtains Luxembourg nationality will lose his or her mandate on the CNE

ASTI – Association for the Support of Immigrant Workers

ASTI has a migrant information desk that provides information and guidance to people with questions about immigration and international protection legislation: work permits, residence permits, visas, etc. and also offers language courses.

ASTI’s “Connections” project, developed with the financial support of the Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte (Mateneen call for projects), aims to prepare refugees for the Luxembourg labor market and to integrate job seekers. Based on a skills and career assessment, participants have the opportunity to move through three stages:

• Information sessions on thehistory and composition of Luxembourg, the right of asylum and the RMG, family reunification, social assistance, basic information on labor law in Luxembourg, the Welcome and Integration Contract (CAI), etc.
• Workshops on practical work rights and duties, how to write a CV, how to present yourself for an internship, etc.
• Unpaid internships in companies (up to 240 hours during a 6-month period) with a specialized mentor and an evaluation of the internship skills.

A certificate attests to the claimant’s efforts. These documents are not negligible since they will be useful toADEM (Agency for the Development of Employment), in order to facilitate the integration of these people in the labor market, once the status of international protection is obtained.

Implemented in 2022 as part of its Coach4Work project, ASTI offers individualized coaching by volunteers to help newcomers find a job in Luxembourg.

The CLAE – Liaison Committee of Foreigners’ Associations

The CLAE reception, information, cultural and linguistic mediation platform was created in 1985 and is approved by the Ministry of Family and Integration. CLAE Services asbl has been recognized as a public utility since August 24, 2016.
The CLAE’s mission is to welcome and inform migrant individuals and families in Luxembourg about their rights

• reception of migrant families
• information on topics such as :
  • entry into the country and stay in Luxembourg according to the migrant’s status
  • family reunification
  • international protection and asylum
  • acquisition of the Luxembourg nationality
  • historical landmarks
• help with certain administrative procedures,
• connection with the appropriate structures,
• listening adapted to personal and family situations,
• invitation to participate in associative projects, intercultural events,
• French courses, beginner to intermediate level
• internetstuff.

Every year, the CLAE organizes the Festival of Migrations, Cultures and Citizenship, a key event in the social, political and cultural life of Luxembourg.

The Rencontres sans Frontières is one of the annual events organized by the City of Luxembourg in collaboration with the CLAE. Every year in June, this sports and cultural event offers a varied program: beach volleyball and soccer tournaments, various activities aimed at bringing together multi-national teams to promote integration. Atmosphere guaranteed!
For more information on this event, visit www.rsf.lu.

Luxembourg Accueil Asbl

Created in 1977, the Luxembourg Accueil association has the mission to welcome families of all nationalities in Luxembourg. Families are regularly invited to to participate in a wide range of activities designed for all ages and tastes: artistic or creative activities, cultural visits, sports activities, friendly gatherings, etc.

With more than 1,000 members and 50 nationalities, the association is run by volunteers and with the help of the City of Luxembourg.

The activities are conducted in French. These include:

• language courses in German, French, Luxembourgish, English, Italian
• sewing, cooking, decorating, floral art, photography, theater, drawing, painting, calligraphy
• conferences,
• visits of exhibitions, hikes to discover the Luxembourg landscapes,
• yoga, sophrology, flexibility workshops
• themed coffee meetings.

The objective of the association is to provide opportunities to meet other people and to create links between members in order to facilitate the integration of newcomers and residents in Luxembourg.

The registration to the activities is realized at the permanence of the association from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm. An annual fee of about 20 euros is required.

See also Associations specialized in insertion and assistance.