How to successfully settle in Luxembourg?

Are you planning to move to Luxembourg? Whether you are traveling alone or with others, with your family or your pet, what do you need to know to settle in smoothly and live and work in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg?

Find all our advice for successfully settling in and integrating.

10 things you need to know to live and work in Luxembourg

To live and integrate in Luxembourg, here are 10 important points to know for a successful expatriation.

Find out about residency and work permit requirements

If you are planning to move and/or work in Luxembourg, it is important to first understand the requirements for expatriate visas and residence and work permits.

The process is fairly simple for citizens of EU member states. However, if you are from a non-EU country, find out about the administrative procedures you need to complete before arriving as an expatriate.

Job search: meet the demand

Luxembourg is an economically strong country that is constantly recruiting. Its financial services, industry, and new technology sectors offer many job opportunities. Every year, the country welcomes many new expatriates and its net migration is largely positive.

However, whether you are an expatriate candidate or the spouse of an expatriate, there are still many job vacancies. The market is demanding, and the positions offered require specific qualifications. In addition, many positions require proficiency in several languages.

A work culture focused on efficiency and respect

Have you found a job? Congratulations! Be aware that the work culture in Luxembourg is focused on punctuality, efficiency, and adherence to schedules. To facilitate your integration as a new expatriate in Luxembourg, it is important to exercise discretion and respect the hierarchy at work. Furthermore, the laws apply to employers as well as employees. It is therefore advisable to find out in advance about the rights and obligations of everyone in the Luxembourg workplace.

Obligation to register with the Joint Social Security Center

Although the Luxembourg healthcare system is of high quality and access to care is easy, it is nevertheless mandatory to register with the CCSS - Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale (Joint Social Security Center) in order to benefit from it.

In Luxembourg, healthcare is generally well covered thanks to funding from mandatory social security contributions. This is one less thing to worry about for new expatriates, who can quickly benefit from it. For others, it will be necessary to take out supplementary health insurance.

Car or public transport?

Luxembourg's transport system is well developed. In addition, bus and second-class train travel is free within the country. New expatriates will quickly find their bearings and be able to get around with ease.

However, travel is easy and fast for people living in large cities or near major roads. For others, it will probably be necessary to invest in one or more vehicles per household.

This is because small villages do not always have good public transport links to other towns or to Luxembourg City and other economic centers. You will either have to be patient and flexible with your schedule or buy a new car.

When you move here, it is also important to know that you must have your foreign driver's license validated in Luxembourg in order to drive legally.

High cost of living to consider when moving

Anyone considering moving abroad must take into account the costs of housing and services in their future host country. If you want to move to Luxembourg, it is important to factor this into your budget when planning your move. See the cost of living in Luxembourg.

An inclusive education system for newcomers

The Luxembourg education system is of high quality. In addition, it is increasingly adapted to Luxembourg's multicultural population and its many expatriates. Education is multilingual, with a strong emphasis on foreign languages. Newly arrived students are supported by a tailored program to facilitate their language learning and integration into the classroom.

Learn languages

Luxembourg is a multicultural country. There are no fewer than 170 different nationalities living here. Nearly half of the population is of foreign origin. In other words, this multiculturalism encourages foreign newcomers to arrive and settle here. However, while this multiculturalism makes it easier to welcome foreigners, it also encourages people to retreat into their own communities if these are large and dynamic enough.

So, to facilitate integration, it is advisable to learn the languages most commonly used locally. Luxembourg is a multilingual country. Luxembourgish, French, and German are spoken fluently. English is also widely used, particularly in the workplace.

Knowing one of these languages will greatlyfacilitate your expatriation and integration. There are many language learning facilities available for this purpose.

You should also learn a few words and expressions in Luxembourgish. This will make it easier to interact with the native Luxembourgish population.

Traditions that facilitate the integration of expats

Luxembourg has a rich cultural history and is very attached to its traditions. Numerous festivals and events offer expats great opportunities to discover Luxembourgish culture and traditions. This is an ideal way to immerse yourself in Luxembourgish culture. Throughout the year, expat families can easily go out and participate in various local events. This will make their integration into their new country all the more successful.

A successful expatriation that involves the expatriates

As mentioned above, Luxembourg offers many social and cultural activities. There are numerous restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, bars, museums, traditional events, green spaces, and more. However, it is important to get involved in community activities to increase your chances of meeting people and integrating more easily into local life. See outings and leisure activities in Luxembourg.

By consulting our pages, you can find out more about the specifics and details of each of these points to facilitate your integration and make your expatriation project in Luxembourg a success.

Learn more about the stages of the expatriation process.

Successful relocation and integration with Just Arrived®

Whatever your country of origin, prepare for your expatriation to Luxembourg and make your arrival and settlement in the Grand Duchy easier with the JUST ARRIVED® practical guides.

For over 15 years, we have been helping expatriates in Luxembourg settle in and cross-border workers integrate. Thanks to our essential information, you can quickly find your bearings and benefit from all our tips and advice.

Check out our guides to settling in Luxembourg.

Our guide to settling and integrating in Luxembourg is free. Download it