A complete moving guide to Luxembourg

Adjusting to a new country is never easy, including moving to Luxembourg. There are various things to take into account, as Luxembourg is a unique country. What’s more important are the numerous things one should know before moving there such as finding accommodation, neighborhoods, crime rate, climate, living expenses, etc. Luxembourg has an astounding number of pros that could convince any uncertain expat to make a move to this small but wonderful destination. So, before you pack your bags, you should know what to expect from your next move, especially if you’re moving with your family and kids.

Here we have prepared a guide on moving to Luxembourg presenting numerous aspects of this beautiful country. Let’s get started!

A brief history of Luxembourg

Although some people related the history of Luxembourg to Roman times, it began in 963. All in all, the country has had quite unstable times. The House of Luxembourg emerged, the country stopped being independent, it passed to the Habsburgs in 1477, fell under Germany’s influence, was ruled by France at various times, etc. However, since the end of the Second World War, Luxembourg has become one of the richest and most politically stable countries in the world. So, there’s one thing you should know – Luxembourg has been a part of the world history for centuries.

What you should know about Luxembourg before moving there

Luxembourg is famous for being small but one of the richest countries in the world and a European economic powerhouse. Let’s not forget about having award-winning wines as well. Here are some other frequently asked questions (FAQs) one should know before moving to Luxembourg (most of them I also had when moving there).

Is Luxembourg a country?

Yes, Luxembourg is a country, although a small one. It shares borders with Belgium, Germany, and France.

What is the capital of Luxembourg?

Quite easy to remember – Luxembourg!

Why is Luxembourg so rich?

You’re right – Luxembourg is a rich country. In fact, it’s the wealthiest country in the European Union (per capita). The reason behind the wealth of this country lies in the significant reserves of iron ore. In the mid-19th century, Luxembourg started to invest in iron production, and by end of the 19th century become one of Europe’s leading steel producers. Today, the financial sector is among the key economic sectors, along with large private banking solutions, making it a business country.

What’s the GDP of Luxembourg?

As mentioned before Luxembourg is one of the richest countries worldwide. According to the World Bank, the GDP of Luxembourg was $86.71B USD in 2021.

What is the official language of Luxembourg? 

All in all, there are 3 official languages in Luxembourg:

1. French
2. German
3. And Luxembourgish (but I would say that Luxembourgish is more like a standard German language).

Do you need a visa to move to Luxembourg?

If you’re an EU citizen you can travel easily to the country freely. However, if you’re a non-EU citizen, you will need a Schengen visa to visit the country.

Are there many castles in Luxembourg?

Yes! Overall, there are around 100 castles in Luxembourg. Among the must-see (and most famous) castles are Vianden Castle (Vianden), Bourscheid, and Château de Bourglinster castle. Now let’s get to the topics that will help you understand if it’s worth relocating to Luxembourg.

What type of climate does Luxembourg have?

The climate in Luxembourg is also nice. The weather in summer is quite cool. On average it’s around 15-20 degrees Celsius. As for the winter, it will make winter sports lovers fall in love with the city, as it’s around 0-5 degrees Celsius there.

What is the crime rate in Luxembourg?

According to Macrotrends (latest data), the crime rate and statistics for 2020 was 0.16, a 75.4% decline from 2019.

In general, it’s quite safe to live there. Signs of violence and extreme crimes are relatively rare in Luxembourg.

Population & Demographics

The population of Luxembourg has been steadily growing during the last decades. The population in the city is growing constantly around 2-2.5% year by year, which I would say is quite high for such a small country.

What are the best neighborhoods to live in Luxembourg?

If you’re visiting Luxembourg for the first time, you should indeed know in which neighborhoods to rent an apartment. Here are 5 of the best neighborhoods based on your needs:

1. Limpertsberg, if you’re looking for a place to stay on a budget 

Overall, Luxembourg is an expensive city to live in. So if you want to move there I would suggest staying in the Limpertsberg neighborhood. Why exactly Limpertsberg? The reason is that this neighborhood is comparatively budget-friendly compared to others. Yes, it’s not in the center but no need to worry – the transportation system is quite good there (we’ll talk about this later). Nevertheless, you will not get bored here as you can see a show at the Grand Theatre, for instance.

2. Kirchberg/European Quarter, if you’re relocating to Luxembourg with kids

If you’re moving to Luxembourg with kids, I would advise staying at Kirchberg or as the locals name it – the European Quarter. In general, there are various important institutions in this neighborhood. Among them are various banks, universities, and the National Concert Hall Philharmonie Luxembourg.

3. Vianden, if you’re looking for an option close to Luxembourg

If you’re considering a bit far option to feel more comfortable with the rents and overall prices, living in Vianden would be ideal for you. All in all, it’s only an hour away from the Luxembourg city center by car. Or you can choose other options as well. It would be around 1.5-2 hours. I stayed there for a weekend and I have to admit – I was feeling even better than in the city itself. The air is much fresher there. You can admire the hills and forests and Vianden Castle of course.

4. Clausen, if you like nightlife

If you’re a nightlife lover then you’ll love Clausen! Overall, Clausen is the main nightlife district in Luxembourg City so you can find different types of bars, breweries, and clubs there. So dining, drinking, and socializing with each other in this area are much easier and more convenient.

5. Bonnevoie, if you like more people

Bonnevoie is one of the best neighborhoods in Luxembourg. This is the largest and liveliest neighborhood, indeed. If you like art, culture, and food you’re even luckier, as you can find all of this here. If you’re in this neighborhood, don’t forget to visit the halls of the Rotondes, you’ll love it we promise.

So what’s the average cost of living in Luxembourg?

If you’re considering spending some time in this country you should also keep in mind that it’s not cheap to live here. For example, a common spending amount comes to around €1600-1900 per month (including the rent of €750). The difference in spending depends on your expenditures and the level of partying. So if you’re a party-lover get prepared to spend even more.

On the other hand, a family with 2 children could spend around €5,500-6,000 per month (including the rent of €1,900). We can definitely say that Luxembourg is more expensive than most EU destinations, including Barcelona and Rome. So get prepared for that.

Let’s explore the transportation in Luxembourg

The transportation system in Luxembourg is one of the best in the world. Let’s start with the best part. So how much does public transport cost in Luxembourg?

Surprise – it’s totally FREE!

Yes, you got it right! Luxembourg is the first destination in the world to offer free public transport for everyone regardless of their citizenship. Since March 1, 2020, people can enjoy any mode of transport (including trams, trains, and buses) free of charge. I could also enjoy this part! To get some information, you can explore the following:

• For buses visit here.
• For trams click here (unfortunately, the website doesn’t have an English version but I trust you can translate it via Google).
• More information on bikes (or to download the mobile application) you can find here.
• As for a taxi, the normal tariff starts at about €4, and the 1-hour waiting fee is around €30.00.

How is the healthcare in Luxembourg?

Healthcare is also some of the best ones in Europe. Luxembourg has a government-funded, high-quality healthcare system providing all citizens with basic medical coverage. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Moreover, people can choose the doctor, specialist, or hospital they like. As for newcomers or tourists, they should purchase private health insurance, as the country doesn’t cover anything.

What’s the minimum wage in Luxembourg?

Let’s go through the minimum wage in the city for you to know if it’s worth moving here. So according to Eurostat, the minimum wage in Luxembourg is €2,313 per month in Luxembourg, and it’s assessed every 2 years by the Government. As you can see from the graph above, Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage across the whole European Union. As for the average salary, Luxembourg has the highest average wages across not just the EU but also the whole world, according to the latest OECD statistics.

As you can see from the graph above, US average wages in 2021 were $74.7k USD and in Luxembourg were $75.3k USD. So it’s already taking 1st place in the world. And maybe that’s why the population of Luxembourg is constantly growing.

 

Education: 3 of the best international schools in Luxembourg

If you’re relocating to Luxembourg City with a family and your kids, here are some of the best international schools some people advised me about.

1. Waldorf School of Luxembourg

The school is located in Limpertsberg. It offers pupils aged 4 to 18 a multi-lingual education. In primary school, the language of instruction is German. But after primary school, French becomes the main language in secondary school. Here are their contact details if you want to get in touch with them:

• Phone: +352 466 932
• Email: waldorf@ecole.lu

2. St George’s International School

The international school accepts youngsters from 3 years to 18+ years from more than 60 nationalities. The curriculum and primary language are English, so no need to worry about not knowing any of the local languages. You can contact them through:

• Phone: +352 423 224
• Email: communications@st-georges.lu

3. Lycée | International School Michel Lucius

The teaching language is English at the school where around 400 students learn from the age of 6-18. They have also a primary school in Limpertsberg now, which was opened in 2017. Here are their contact details as well:

• For international primary education, you contact them by calling this number: +352 28 83 15 703 or sending an email to: primary@lml.lu
• For secondary education (international secondary) you can call them at +352 288 315 501 or send them an email to: secretariat@lml.lu
• For general inquiries send an email to: info@lml.lu

Are there any coworking spaces in Luxembourg?

Sure there are some! With a growing number of startups and businesses, the number of coworking spaces has risen within the last couple of years. I will present the ones I enjoyed that are also among the most famous ones in the city.

1. The Office 

“The Office” is one of the first coworking offices in Luxembourg. Having an industrial style, this shared workspace can gather up to 150 people at once.  All in all, the coworking office has more than 10 private offices, over 40 desks, and a cafe open to the public. The cost to enjoy this working space is around €290 per month. You can explore their memberships here.

2. Silversquare Coworking Space

Silversquare is one of the biggest collaboration hubs in Luxembourg. It has 2300sq/m providing you with a range of Free drinks including coffee, copy machine, tea, and water. Also, you have the opportunity to access the sharing space by day solution starting at €30. Plus, it has a “hot desk” plan (at €325), a “dedicated desk” plan at €395, and a “private office” plan at €600. You can see all the details here.

3. Spaces

“Spaces” is the biggest coworking office in Luxembourg. It has numerous meeting rooms, over 60 desks, and over 100 private offices. But what we liked most about Spaces is the fast WiFi and the parking spot that makes life much easier. With all these benefits, the membership starts at €215 per month. This also includes access to all the Spaces locations in other countries as well.  So you can access the shared space during business hours and not think of where to work or about fast WiFi. They have it all. If you’re short on budget or working mainly from home and need an office space only a couple of times within a month, you can pay even less. For example, you can pay €99 per month and come 5 days a month, or €139 for a 10 days visit. In addition, if you want to have your own office no need to overspend renting it in business centers, for instance. You can do it right here: just pay €495 per month, get your personal office space, and access it even out of business hours 24/7. You can explore all the membership and pricing details here.

And some of the best places to visit in Luxembourg

Yes, working remotely is awesome. But what about having some fun and visiting some of the best places in Luxembourg? Here are some great places that are also among the most touristic ones.

• National Museum of History & Art (Address)
• The Old Quarter of Luxembourg City (address: here)
• The Bock Casements (here’s the address)
• Bourscheid Castle (Address: here)
• Upper Sûre Natural Park & Esch-sur-Sûre (address: here)
• Grand Ducal Palace (Address)

Finally, how to easily find accommodation when moving to Luxembourg

Finding housing in Luxembourg City is one of the toughest things about moving to the city. As I mentioned before, the population is constantly growing year by year. As for tourists, the number is also growing. In 2019 the number of tourists reached up to 1 million people per year. During 2020 it declined by 50% because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the situation changed in 2021 as the country recorded 0.8 million visitors. So the situation is already recovering and that’s why finding an apartment is becoming harder. But it’s not just about finding an apartment to move in. It’s all about constant stability and long-lasting relationships with the apartment provider. 

So if you’ve already made a decision to move to Luxembourg, we would suggest renting an apartment from Blueground. With Blueground you don’t have to do anything after moving into an apartment, as they are fully furnished, clean, and have every necessary item (even fast WiFi & coffee machine) to start living from day one.  

Some final thoughts

Relocating to this amazing destination may seem quite challenging in the beginning. But if you’re aware of every step on your way, you’re already confident that you’ll make it. We hope this guide has covered all the questions you had in mind as we put together every single aspect we had to pass through. We hope you got the most out of it. So zero hassle. Less stress. Better living. This is all about Luxembourg! Good luck!