Religion in Luxembourg

Religious practice in Luxembourg

Freedom of worship and religious expression

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg recognizes freedom of worship and expression of religious beliefs in Article 19 of its Constitution. Bilateralagreements have been signed between religious authorities and the state regarding the possible funding of religious representatives.

Decline in religious practice but increase in spirituality

According to the latest study published in March 2023 by STATEC, Luxembourg's statistical research agency, religious practice has declined significantly in Luxembourg over the past 20 years. According to the study conducted in late 2020 and early 2021 by the European Value Survey (EVS), only 24% of respondents consider religion to be important, compared to 42% in 2008.

On the other hand, 40% acknowledge the presence of a "higher power," while 15% acknowledge the existence of a god. Only 48% say they practice a religion, of which more than 92% are Christian and 85% are Catholic. Muslims represent less than 3%.

The main religious denominations in Luxembourg

Luxembourg Catholic Church

Luxembourg is a country with a Christian tradition. Public holidays and many of Luxembourg's enduring traditions are directly linked to the Christian religion. This is particularly true of the following celebrations:

• Christmas Day, December 25, celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus
• Epiphany on January 6
• Candlemas, February 2
• Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.

67% of the Luxembourgish population was Catholic at the age of 12. However, only 41% of those surveyed say they are still Catholic.

You will find Catholic churches throughout the country and in your municipality where you can attend religious services. The website cathol.lu lists all the parishes in Luxembourg.

The celebrations in the different parishes are also published there, along with the language used during the religious service. Masses are generally celebrated in three languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German. Some celebrations are held in French, Italian, English, Latin, or other languages. More information about the Catholic Church in Luxembourg can be found here.

The European Parish of Luxembourg brings together nativeEnglish speakers, but also all other communities for whom English is a second language. Masses in English are held at the Church of Saint Alphonse in Luxembourg.

Three famous Catholic pilgrimages take place on Luxembourg soil:

• the Octave pilgrimage: this takes place from the 3rd to the 5th Sunday after Easter at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg. It celebrates the Virgin Mary
• the pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fatima in Wiltz is celebrated on Ascension Day. It mainly brings together the Portuguese community
• The dancing procession in Echternach is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It brings together more than 10,000 people every year on Whit Tuesday, who come to pray or enjoy this very special spectacle.

Protestant Church in Luxembourg

Protestantism remains the second largest religion in the country. It accounts for less than 5% of the population residing in Luxembourg. There are several Protestant places of worship in Luxembourg:

• the Trinity Church at 5 Rue de la Congrégation in Luxembourg City
• the Protestant Parish Center at 1 Rue Jules Wilhelm in Luxembourg-Clausen
• the Hospital Chapel in Ettelbrück
• the Faber House in Wiltz

There is also a Reformed Protestant Church and a German-speaking Evangelical Church.

For more information on the Protestant Church in Luxembourg and Protestant worship, please visit the website protestant.lu.

Anglican Church in Luxembourg

Of the approximately 7,000 British nationals living in Luxembourg, nearly 60% are Anglican.

Present in Luxembourg for over 50 years, the Anglican Church of Luxembourg is located at the Konvikt Centre, 5 Avenue Marie-Thérèse in Luxembourg. You can find all the information you need on the website anglican.lu.

Orthodox Church in Luxembourg

There are several Orthodox churches in Luxembourg.

The Russian Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul is located at 10 Rue Jean-Pierre Probst in Luxembourg. You can find more information about the Russian Orthodox Church on the website egliserusse.lu.

You can also find more information about the Greek, Romanian, Serbian, and Coptic Orthodox Churches on the website religion.lu.

Other Christians in Luxembourg

It is also possible to practice other Christian faiths in Luxembourg, including Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Apostolic Christianity, etc.

Islam – Muslim worship in Luxembourg

Islam is now the second largest religion in the country, with 2.7% of residents practicing Islam.

Due to the arrival of immigrants from North African countries in the 1970s, followed by immigrants from the Balkans in the 1990s, the Muslim community in Luxembourg has grown. Whereas worship used to be practiced within families, Muslims now have places of worship and several cultural centers throughout the country.

Several Islamic associations are present in Luxembourg, in different cities, making it easy to practice the Muslim religion. A law passed in 2018 prohibits the wearing of face-covering veils in public places.

You can visit the website islam.lu for further information.

Jewish synagogues in Luxembourg

The country's main synagogue is located in Luxembourg City, on Avenue de Monterey. There is also a Jewish community in Esch-sur-Alzette. For more information, please visit the website of the Jewish Consistory of Luxembourg at sinagogue.lu.

There is also a Jewish community in Esch-sur-Alzette. You can find more information on the website jewish.lu.

Buddhism in Luxembourg

Buddhism began to develop in Luxembourg in the 1990s. It appears that less than 1% of the population is Buddhist. There is a center for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, Dzogchen Shedrup Darje Ling, in Howald. For more information, visit luxembourg.patrulrinpoche.net/.

Hinduism in Luxembourg

Hindus are also present in Luxembourg, in Howald and Luxembourg City.

More information about religions can be found on the website religion.lu.

All religious wedding ceremonies must be preceded by a civil marriage before a Luxembourg civil registrar.