Many Europeans think about living in Luxembourg as an expat. Even if the country is small (less than 700,000 inhabitants), there are more than 20,000 foreigners living there.
The main reason for such a high level of popularity among the expatriates is its prosperous economy. Also, its good level of safety and the quality of life it offers are advantages to take in mind.
In this article, you will find all you need to know to become an expat in Luxembourg.
Procedures Needed to Become an Expat in Luxembourg
For citizens of European Union countries, moving to Luxembourg is simple from an administrative point of view. No visa is required to enter the country, only a valid passport or identity card.
To settle permanently in the country, it is necessary to register, with all the members of your household, at the population office of the administration of your commune of residence. It has to be done as soon as you settle there.
This procedure allows you to obtain a registration certificate with unlimited validity on the same day. This document is essential for many operations such as opening a bank account or an energy contract or registering your children at school.
It is also necessary to register with Social Security to obtain a national health insurance card to be presented before each health service.
All beneficiaries are automatically included in the insured person’s coverage, but several documents must be provided to benefit from it:
- Family record book
- Identity papers
- Marriage contract
- etc.
It is, therefore, necessary to prepare everything in advance.
Luxembourg Expat Life: High Cost and High Standards
Living in Luxembourg as an expat is very comfortable. But it’s important to take in mind that life there is particularly expensive.
However, most expatriates experience a good financial situation here, due to salaries that are among the highest in Europe, all job categories included.
Housing Is Expensive
Rents can make Luxembourg expat life very expensive when we talk about the main cities. It’s because demand is much higher than supply. To an already high price, you have to add all the related charges, which are generally payable in full by the tenant.
Housing is therefore one of the most important points to take into account in your budget before moving to Luxembourg.
Schooling for Children
Schooling, on the other hand, is free and compulsory from the age of 4. Learning the three official languages (German, Luxembourgish and French) is at the heart of the local school system from a very early age.
For those who prefer it, it is possible to send their children to a private school. In this case, the budget is important and spots are sometimes difficult to obtain.
Expat Jobs in Luxembourg
Career opportunities are the most common reason for moving to Luxembourg, where many large global companies are located.
The local work environment is multicultural and the job market is very dynamic for foreigners.
For this reason, mastery of at least one language other than English, and in particular French, is a very favorable condition for finding a job in the country, if not essential.
European nationals can work freely, without any particular authorization. The sectors that offer more expat jobs in Luxembourg are:
- Finance
- Media
- Digital
- ICT.
Do Expats Need Health Insurance in Luxembourg?
All persons working in Luxembourg must be affiliated by their employer to one of the country’s social security funds.
There are several of them, by sector of activity, for the public and private sectors. The Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale (CCSS) is responsible for determining the competent insurance fund.
The quality of care and health care facilities in Luxembourg is fully equivalent to that in neighboring countries. There are local practitioners, hospitals, clinics, and medical homes that provide after-hours care.
The compulsory health insurance in Luxembourg does not reimburse the entire cost of care: 10 to 20% of the costs are to be paid by the insured. There are limits to the number of consultations reimbursed per period, and non-reimbursed appointments are at the expense of the insured.
It is strongly recommended to subscribe to private medical insurance before moving to Luxembourg. It will provide better reimbursements, as well as to be covered in the Grand Duchy as well as in any other country.
To choose the most suitable offer for your budget and profile, we recommend you use an online insurance comparator. It will allow you to obtain detailed quotes selected by specialists quickly and free of charge.
