Moving to Luxembourg: All You Need to Know for an Effective Relocation

A high level of freedom and long life expectancy are some of the things that define Luxembourg as a wonderful country to move to and find your own pace of life. Other factors that make this country a preferred destination are a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and serene villages, along with great employment opportunities.

If you aim to be part of this highly advanced environment and significantly improve your lifestyle, keep reading because IMovingTo will ensure you take care of your international moving process.

General Facts about Moving to Luxembourg

Despite being one of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg is home to a wide variety of landscapes.
Because of its ancient fortifications and historic districts, the city of Luxembourg is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With residents of around 170 different nationalities, moving to Luxembourg is a common decision for many expats. With 16.4%, Portuguese make up the largest group. Furthermore, just over 60% of Luxembourg’s population has immigrant roots.
You will require a Schengen visa to enter the country if you are a non-EU national. By the way, the Schengen agreement was established in Luxembourg and is named after a city there.
Belgium, France, and Germany all border Luxembourg. If you desire to travel there, you can do so easily by rail or car.
Impressively low rates of crime are reported in Luxembourg. In Luxembourg, there are only two jails and about 1,300 police.
The financial and business powerhouse of the world, Luxembourg also serves as a tax haven.

Cost of Living and International Moving Costs

Luxembourg is one of the most expensive nations to live in regarding the cost of living. While housing expenses are high, we are convinced that once your labor of affection begins to bear fruit, your finances will be just great since the average salary is about $3,800 after taxes.

The most expensive monthly payments will be for accommodation, food, and clothing since these costs keep increasing over time.

Rent a small apartment in the city center: €1,614.62
Three-course meal for a couple in a mid-range restaurant: €70
Basic bills (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for a small Apartment: €260.33
Cinema ticket: €12

Keep in mind that hiring international moving companies can be the best option if you’re thinking about how to relocate overseas. Your belongings may take some time to get to Luxembourg, but it will all be worthwhile. Air freight and road transportation are the most popular options for moving from within Europe.

Visa Types & Requirements in Luxembourg

People from the EU/EEA and Switzerland who intend to live in Luxembourg do not need to apply for a Schengen visa, residence, or employment permit. However, in most cases, Union residents only need to apply for a Registration Attestation at the competent municipality where they plan to reside for longer than 3 months, as long as they can demonstrate that they have sufficient resources at their disposal.

To work as an expat in Luxembourg, if you are not a citizen of the European Union, you should obtain a valid entry visa, also known as temporary authorization, and a residence permit. Your potential employer needs to notify the Employment Office of the open position and demonstrate that no qualified candidates were available on the Luxembourgian or EU labor markets.

Third-country nationals should visit the authorities of their municipality within 3 days of arrival to file an arrival declaration. You should obtain a copy of your declaration, which serves as proof of your right to live in the country until the official work permit is issued.

Additionally, if you are a salaried employee, you have 90 days to apply for your residence permit. You should have a doctor from Luxembourg examine you throughout this period.

How Does the Transportation System Work in Luxembourg?

Luxair, along with several European airlines offer direct flights between Luxembourg and other destinations in Europe, North Africa, and some islands off the coast of West Africa.

Car access to the country is also straightforward. From Paris, Brussels, or Trier, major routes lead to Luxembourg, where petrol prices are lower than in many other European nations.

While Eurolines International bus services provide inexpensive links to key European cities, train travel to Luxembourg is also convenient. High-speed rail connections between Luxembourg and Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and France are available. Night trains run to and from the south of France, and Luxembourg is connected to the rest of Europe through various direct and indirect routes.

Luxembourg is also the first country in the world to offer free public transportation at the point of use. As a result, passengers won’t require a ticket, whether a single-use ticket or a monthly subscription.

Job Opportunities for Expats

French, German, and Luxembourgish are Luxembourg’s 3 official languages, and proficiency in one of them is necessary for many professions. Financial services, healthcare, transportation, social services, and construction are the industries that hire the most frequently.

Many positions in Luxembourg are obtained by networking or sending out prospective CVs, both valuable habits to establish in your new country. You can start your work search online, and the easiest position to land is one that entails teaching English because, as a native speaker, you will have a considerable competitive advantage. Otherwise, it’s advisable to frequently check websites that publish jobs, like a monster.lu.

If the cost of living in Luxembourg is too high for you, think about relocating to one of the surrounding countries, as the majority of the workforce in Luxembourg is made up of people who commute across borders from Germany, France, and Belgium.

Healthcare System in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has one of the best healthcare systems in the world because it is the world’s wealthiest country. The majority of the population, including expats, is covered by the national healthcare system, supported by income and several other taxes.

Most medical treatments are covered by the public healthcare system, which operates on a reimbursement system in which patients pay first and then are later reimbursed by the national insurance fund.

You should register with the CCSS to obtain expat health insurance in Luxembourg. Before traveling to Luxembourg, you should first make sure you have your Social Security number. Usually, your employer will enroll you with the Social Security Join Center, after which you can obtain health insurance.

Those who can afford additional expenses choose private insurance as an extra form of protection that covers expenses for hospitalization, dental work, and medical treatments outside Luxembourg.

How to Take Care Of Your Finances

In Luxembourg’s city and town centers, ATMs are widely available. Some places charge for cash withdrawals. However, the screen will display the fee before you complete the transaction.

MasterCard or Visa cards are widely accepted by stores, restaurants, and other establishments. However, American Express cards are commonly accepted only by larger businesses. Some smaller companies refuse to accept credit cards or require a minimum payment due to transaction fees.

Although electronic banking is a standard component of accounts in Luxembourg, several options are available if you wish to register a bank account there. Commercial and international bank branches provide numerous retail and business services.

While some banks charge a fixed monthly fee, others charge different amounts for different types of transactions. Your unique situation, including access to nearby ATMs and bank offices and the activities you frequently conduct through your bank account, will determine the appropriate account for you.

High standards of regulation apply to the financial services sector in Luxembourg. As a result, before you are permitted to create a bank account, your identification documents, address, and sources of income will all be carefully examined.

Best Cities to Live In Luxembourg

Echternach

Echternach is the oldest town in the region to the east of Luxembourg. With well over 2 thousand years of history to explore, it contains some of the best historical architecture in Luxembourg.

Mamer

The town of Mamer provides a perfect environment as it is near Luxembourg and is both urban and rural. A vibrant, multinational neighborhood near the heart of the capital city of Luxembourg ensures excellent harmony between the home and professional environment.

Larochette

The center of Luxembourg is located in the little town of Larochette. Put the map away and explore the streets, admiring the lovely hues and delicate flower arrangements covering the fences and windows. The ruins of Larochette Castle are set against a stunning and ethereal background of thick forest and rocky cliffs.

Vianden

Despite having fewer than 2,000 residents, Vianden Castle makes the small town one of Luxembourg’s most popular tourist destinations. The medieval fortress is a genuine masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, in addition to being one of Europe’s most stunning feudal palaces. Along with the castle, the Victor Hugo Museum is another great characteristic of Vianden.

Pros & Cons of Moving to Luxembourg

Pros

High quality of life

You will develop confidence if you choose to live in Luxembourg. Since there are so many attractions and things to do in this area, you may experience excitement daily.

This is the perfect location for you if you enjoy the romantic medieval culture of Europe, castles, lakes, and stunning architecture. It may take a lot of time to see all the castles nearby, but it will be worth the effort.

Attractive employment market

Working in Luxembourg is a desirable option for expats who intend to take advantage of the low unemployment rate, low inflation, and strong economic growth, particularly for those with a university degree, a trade qualification, specialized skills, and a lot of work experience.

The robust, high-tech service industry, greater wages, and the 5-year tax exemption for foreign workers in Luxembourg are what benefit expats the most.

Strategic location

Europe’s geographic center is where you may find Luxembourg. Anyone in Europe may go to the city center in a short amount of time due to the swift connections by air, train, or car. There are regular flights between the city and Findel Airport because of its excellent efficiency.

Cons

Weather

Luxembourg can feel gloomy and melancholy due to the weather and gray skies, particularly if you are a sunshine lover. The lengthy winters and abundance of wet days will make you appreciate the clear days even more.

Lack of entertainment

Luxembourg lacks entertainment and theme parks, which has earned it a reputation as a monotonous country.

Luxembourg’s absence of a coastline and convenient access to the sea is another drawback. Living in a landlocked nation is not particularly enjoyable for some people. Fortunately, there are many green areas where you may breathe fresh air.

Final Thoughts

All in all, relocating to Luxembourg is quite a simple procedure. However, moving to any foreign country is accompanied by plenty of aspects you need to be aware of. That’s exactly why you should take our recommendations into account.

For comprehensive guidance, take advantage of relocation services at IMovingTo and plan everything following our international moving practices. So, best of luck with your relocation to Luxembourg!