- 82 km (51 mi) long and 57 km (35 mi) wide
- Currency: Euro
- Official administrative languages: French, German and Luxembourgish
- Language of legislation: French
- Population: 626,108 of which 47.4% are foreigners
- International: 170 nationalities, 86% European
- Neighbouring countries: Germany, Belgium and France
- Cross-borders: 200.000 cross-border workers
- By 2030, Luxembourg will require 300,000 additional workers. Each year, the country welcomes around 26,000 expatriates, with approximately 9,000 coming from non-EU countries. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of expats from non-EU nations rose by 43.51%.
Our Partners
Benefit from special deals through our partnerships with local companies and relocation agencies regarding:
- Private all-inclusive car leasing with Lease Plus
3.1 Short stay
If staying for a short time, check out Airbnb, Hotels or Apart-Hotels, Trainee residences, sublease or flat sharing.
3.2 Long stay
Did you know?
Rent must be paid in advance at the end of the current month for the upcoming month
- Typically, a rental payment guarantee, known as “garantie locative’’, equivalent to 2-3 months’ rent is required
- Agency fees are equal to one month’s rent plus VAT
- A written rental inventory, referred to “Etat des lieux”, documents any existing damages or defects, along with items included in the property, both at the time of entry and exit
- In Luxembourg, apartments and houses are typically rented with the kitchen included. As part of the rental process, you are required to obtain insurance for the apartment or house, which covers your personal belongings, furniture, and the kitchen. Additionally, be prepared to provide a deposit of two to three months’ rent.
3.3 Permanent stay
Did you know
When buying? Your property, the total acquisition cost is made up of:
- Property price
- Notary fees (6% registration fees and 1% notary’s fees)
More info: www.notariat.lu
- Tax allowance (tax credit called “Bellegen Akt”)
- State aid
We can help
If you are interested in buying your own property:
- Spuerkeess is Luxembourg’s leading housing loan financial partner
- Spuerkeess can advise you in up to 21 different languages
- Mortgage registration fees will be less as they are done inhouse
Find a house here
Meet the Expats in Luxembourg here
- Register your dog at the local municipal office and pay an annual tax
- Your dog needs an ISO compliant microchip and a rabies vaccination
- You need an EU Pet Passport when traveling within the EU
- You need a health certificate emitted by a licenced veterinarian
- Dangerous dog breeds: successfully succeeded behaviour training
- Talk to your insurance and get a private civil liability insurance
5. Healthcare In Luxembourg,
most citizens, as well as all family members and children up to the age of 27, are entitled to state healthcare.
5.1 Did you know
CNS (Caisse Nationale de Santé) is the official insurance provider for employees working in the private sector and their beneficiaries.
Medical bills are paid upfront and receipts, proof of payment of consultations and treatments are submitted to the CNS for reimbursement. CNS will reimburse part of the health costs, depending on the treatment received.
When you arrive in Luxembourg, please submit a request to the “Service Coassurance” of the CNS to get your family covered. Furthermore, you can contact them via cns@secu.lu.
As soon as you have registered for a residence permit at the Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale (CCSS) and sent in your application form, you will receive your social security card which acts as your health insurance card. The number on this card is called your “matricule” and serves as your personal identification number and tax identification number (TIN). The structure of your matricule: YYYY MMDD XXX XX represents your date of birth and 5 numbers. Always have it with you and present it at your medical and pharmacy visits, as well as when collecting prescriptions.
You may also take out private healthcare to cover the surplus cost not covered by the CNS.
We can help
The private supplementary health insurer DKV, member of the Groupe LALUX, offers health insurance tailored to an expatriate’s needs. Through the collaboration with LALUX, Spuerkeess’s customers take advantage of special prices.
5.2 Medical Houses (“Maison médicale”)
To avoid going to hospitals for non-emergency issues, Luxembourg has a few medical houses throughout the country as a replacement when doctors and medical centres are closed. You can visit them from 8 pm to 7 am from Monday to Friday and during weekends and holidays from 8 am to 7 am of the following morning.
5.3 Hospitals and clinics
- Hospital emergency services
- Pedriatric emergency services (CHL Hospital (“Kannerklinik”) and Kirchberg Hospital)
- Healthcare guide
6. Work
6.1 Ratification of diplomas
Depending on where you intend to work and to access certain professions, you may need your university diplomas recognised.
6.3 Income tax
In Luxembourg, income tax is withheld from your wages at source directly by the employer every month.
Resident taxpayers will obtain their tax card automatically :
- After first registration with the CCSS
- Upon a change in civil status
- Upon a change of address
Non-resident employees will have to submit an application at the tax office for non-residents.
Once you receive your tax card from the RTS tax office (section for withholding tax on wages and salaries), please send it to your employer as soon as possible.
Depending on your family situation (married, single, children …), you may have to fill out an annual tax declaration.
Should this be the case, here some contributions that are tax deductible:
However, be aware that depending on your personal situation and your tax declaration, additional income tax may be due.
More info on "tax classes", "tax declarations" and "deductibles".
How can Spuerkeess help?
Spuerkeess offers tax deductible products, such as loans, mortgages, insurances, supplementary pension schemes, BHW home building savings scheme etc.
Here some interesting blog articles on the topic:
Every year, Spuerkeess holds various conferences on how to fill in your tax declaration. Do not hesitate to ask your advisor for more information or check out our website.
7. Family
7.1 Family allowances and childcare benefits
The precondition is to be registered with the Luxembourg social security system (CNS).
The birth allowance is paid upon request in three instalments of 580 EUR each, totaling 1,740 EUR.
Family allowances vary between EUR 299/month for under 6-year-olds to EUR 322/ month for over 6-year-olds and EUR 356/month for over 12-year-olds.
Childcare allowance “Chèque–service accueil” provide financial aid to support childcare cost for children between 0 and 12 years or as long as they are in primary education (école fondamentale). You must apply for a personalised membership card for your child at your local municipality.
The annual back-to-school allowance can be as much as EUR 115/child for children under 6 years of age and EUR 235/child for those above 12 years old.
As these may change over time, please check-out the related websites.
If you have a disabled child, this could also interest you.
For family, birth and back-to-school allowances, applications must be submitted to the Children’s Future Fund CAE (Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants).
8. Education
The Luxembourg public school system offers a great multilingual environment. Children are automatically registered for schooling once you are registered with your municipality. This does not apply to secondary school.
State schools are free of charge and school attendance is compulsory between the ages of 4 to 16.
University
The international research University of Luxembourg is a good option for higher education and offers multilingual teaching across different faculties.
Students may obtain a scholarship and student loan to finance their higher education.
Luxembourg has many private and international schools. As an alternative to public schools, there are many French- and English-speaking, as well as International, European schools and high schools in Luxembourg. Find an extensive list here.
More information on education here.
How can Spuerkeess help your children?
As a local bank, we accompany children from their first day on.
New-born
Spuerkeess and its insurance partner LALUX offer EUR 100 to all new-borns when opening a blocked savings account or a lalux-Study Cover. In addition, your child will receive a surprise gift at one of our branches.
Schoulspuerfester
As a tradition for nearly 60 years, Spuerkeess invites primary school children aged 6 to 7 years old and their teachers to an exclusive annual educational theatre play that aims to teach children the value of saving money in a fun way.
Tweenz
Spuerkeess’s Tweenz universe has all the savings products you need and a free fun-filled club for children from 6 to 12 years.
Axxess
While starting into the teenage years, studying, or working, Axxess Start, Study and Job are the ideal free banking packages that answer the needs of young people.
Cedies student loan
When the university adventure calls, your child has the possibility of taking out a grant and a CEDIES loan with Spuerkeess and benefit from numerous free products and services as an Axxess Study account holder.
9.4 Driving licence
EU driving licences issued before 1996 must be exchanged for a new driving license. Those issued after 1996 may be kept but need to be registered with the SNCA (Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile).
If you have a Non-EU driving licence, make sure you arrive with an international driving permit issued by your country of origin in order to have it converted into a Luxembourg licence by the Driving Licence Office within 1 year.
9.5 General information
Cars require a civil liability-type insurance policy issued as a green card and proof of insurance by an insurer. This must always be kept in the car.
Car circulation tax is calculated according to the engine size of the vehicle and CO2 emissions. A tax certification will be automatically sent to you once your vehicle is registered.
It is possible to import your car:
- Register it within 6 months of your date of declaration of arrival at the SNCA
- Obtain a registration certificate: part 1 (grey) and part 2 (yellow)
- Pass the necessary technical inspections in an authorized centre (SNCT)
9.6 Automobile Club du Luxembourg (ACL)
ACL offers assistance and benefits around mobility
If you're thinking of bringing your car with you to Luxembourg, guichet.lu describes the administrative steps to take.
If you are considering buying a car, you should take advantage of the special conditions during the yearly Autofestival.
How can Spuerkeess help?
If you decide to buy or lease a car, Spuerkeess has 2 solutions:
- Lease+: If you are considering leasing a car for a fixed amount of time, you should consider Lease+, the all-inclusive private leasing package that makes your life easier.
- Personal loan: If you are considering buying your own car why not take out a Spuerkeess personal loan? More info on the personal loan
More information on our "Lalux Expat Offer", "Benefit from our Lalux Partnership" and about the "Lalux insurance"
11. Integration
Luxembourg is a multilingual country, which gives you the opportunity to learn new languages. The best way is to mix with the locals. Alternatively, there are various classes organised by colleges, communes, other organisations and language schools.
In any case, should you decide to stay in Luxembourg and apply for the Luxembourg nationality, a language test is required.
