Pharmacies and on-call pharmacies
Do you need to buy medication in Luxembourg? Whether it's for minor ailments or to treat a more serious illness or condition, we tell you everything you need to know about pharmacies in Luxembourg and pharmacies on duty outside normal opening hours.
The role of pharmacists in Luxembourg
Seeking advice from a pharmacy for minor ailments
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals. They are authorized to dispense medicines and parapharmacy products. They will advise you on medication dosages and any contraindications.
Pharmacists can be consulted for minor ailments such as headaches, coughs, minor injuries, etc.
If in doubt or if symptoms are more serious, the pharmacist will refer you to a doctor. The doctor will be better able to make a diagnosis.
Pharmacies are also authorized to administer free Covid vaccinations.
Dispensing medication, purchasing parapharmacy products
The pharmacist has an advisory role in dispensing medicines and determining dosage.
Some medications can only be dispensed with a prescription. It is also the prescription that will determine whether or not the medications and healthcare products will be covered by health insurance.
Pharmacies also dispense parapharmacy, beauty, and hygiene products. You can find vitamins and other nutrients, pediatric and pregnancy products, orthopedic products, first aid products, and more.
You will also find masks to prevent the spread of viruses, as well as self-testing kits for COVID-19 and HIV.
Pharmacy opening hours in Luxembourg
Open on weekdays and non-public holidays
Pharmacies in Luxembourg are generally open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pharmacies located in Luxembourg City or in larger towns are also open on Saturdays.
Some pharmacies are closed between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Opening hours are displayed in the window.
When you visit one of the many pharmacies in Luxembourg, it is important to understand your rights and obligations when on sick leave. See our section on managing sick leave according to the CNS for comprehensive information tailored to your professional situation.
Pharmacies on duty outside normal opening hours
Outside of opening hours and in case of emergency, only on-call pharmacies dispense prescription drugs. At night or on public holidays, on-call pharmacies may appear to be closed. You will need to ring the bell and present your prescription through a closed window.
You can find a list of on-call pharmacies at www.pharmacie.lu, the official website of the Luxembourg Pharmacists' Union.
You will also find a list of licensed pharmacies and the opening hours of pharmacies in Luxembourg.
Dispensing of medicines in pharmacies
Non-prescription medicines
You can buy all the medicines you need to treat yourself at a pharmacy. However, some are only available on prescription.
If you do not have a prescription, you can still buy certain lower-dose medications.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor in case of serious illness or if you have any doubts about your state of health.
Prescription drugs
If you have a prescription for medication, it is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
Prescriptions for medications must be filled within the time frame indicated by the doctor on the prescription. If the doctor does not indicate a prescription period, a period of three months applies for the dispensing of medications from the date the prescription is issued by the doctor.
On-call pharmacies only dispense prescription medication.
All prescriptions for medications lasting six months or longer are dispensed in several installments by the pharmacy. To this end, the pharmacist will dispense the medication for a certain period and provide you with a copy of the prescription. You will need to bring this copy back on subsequent visits to receive the next installment of medication.
Medicines for animals
If you have a pet, pharmacies also dispense medication for animals. They may need to order it in advance. However, delivery times are very short.
Reimbursement for medication
Medicines prescribed by your doctor may be reimbursed in full or in part by your health insurance fund. Reimbursement depends on whether or not they are included on a positive list published in the CNS Memorial.
Reimbursement rates are 100%, 80%, or 40% according to specific criteria based on whether the medication is considered essential, the number of irreplaceable active ingredients, etc.
To improve the reimbursement of your medications, consider taking out supplementary health insurance.
Find out more about the specific features of the healthcare system for cross-border workers here.
Buying medication online
Since 2017, Luxembourg residents have been allowed to buy medicines online. However, only medicines that can be dispensed without a prescription may be sold online.
To purchase medicines online, patients must first complete a health questionnaire on the website of the pharmacy selling the medicines.
To sell medicines online, pharmacies must first be expressly authorized by the Ministry of Health.
You can find pharmacies where you can order medicines online by filling out a form on the pharmacie.lu website.
Recycling unused medicines
In order to protect the environment, medicines, syrups, and ointments should not be disposed of in the trash or down the drain in Luxembourg. This also applies to cosmetics and personal hygiene products.
You can return medicines and hygiene products for recycling via SuperDrecksKëscht, mobile collection points, or recycling centers.
Some pharmacists also collect these medicines for recycling. Ask your pharmacist for more information.
The best "medicines" are found in our food. Choose a healthy diet, which is better for your health.
Articles de la catégorie Santé – Bien-être
Health of cross-border workers: comprehensive guide
Cross-border workers work in Luxembourg but live in another country, such as France, Belgium, or Germany. Given their status, they have a special situation when it comes to health coverage.
Emergencies and first aid
Are you facing a medical emergency? Who should you contact? How? Here you will find all the advice and emergency services you need to help you in this difficult situation where someone's life may be in danger.
See a doctor
The medical sector is highly developed in Luxembourg. In addition to general practitioners, there are many medical specialists and other health professionals in the country who provide high-quality care to patients.