Moving to Luxembourg: How to remember everything?
February 1st, 2022 - 10am
So you're moving to Luxembourg?
Welcome!
First of all, rest assured, you've made a good choice: Quality of life in Luxembourg is particularly high. The capital was also named the safest city in the world in the Mercer 2019 quality of life survey.
High salaries, low crime rates, and political stability make it a great place to live.
Allow us to guide you to successfully prepare for your arrival in our beautiful country.
1. Finding accommodation and organising your move
The housing market in Luxembourg is characterised by lower supply than demand. You will also need to be reactive. You will be able to find numerous adverts on our partner site Immotop or you can enjoy an exclusive offer by subscribing to a Fiber offer thanks to our partnership with RE/MAX Design (available if you rent or buy your flat/house through RE/MAX design).
Good to know
In Luxembourg, you are entitled to two days extraordinary leave to move home.
That’s it, it’s official, you have found your new home after several months searching: it's time to move. This is not without significance and will require some organisation.
The ideal time to move is outside the school holidays in the summer and at the end of the year. Demand is higher in these periods, so the rates tend to shoot up. It’s up to you to decide if you want to use the services of a professional removals company. This will save you time and effort and will cover you in case of damage, but may also incur a high cost.
Are you renting? Don’t forget to respect your notice period to inform your landlord (or property management agency) of your departure, in a letter sent by recorded delivery. As a general rule, your notice period will be 3 months. Check your tenancy agreement, it would be a shame to have to pay two rental fees at the same time while only living in one place.
2. Administrative procedures
Do you have the required paperwork for you and your family?
If you are a European citizen, you will need a valid identity card or passport.
If you are a third-country national, you will need a valid travel document and a Schengen visa issued by the Luxembourg Consulate.
If you have children, remember to bring your family record book and the identity documents for each of your children. Don't forget the documents certifying your union with your partner. You will find further information in the immigration section on guichet.lu
Who will I need to notify?
Send your future contact details and the date of your move to the various administrations and contact your water and energy suppliers to request a contract transfer or connection to your future home.
Also let your bank, telephone operator and internet supplier know about your change of address.
If you already live in Luxembourg, contact your operator to change your address and connect your internet line. If you live abroad, contact us, we will verify the eligibility of your new address and we will ensure that your internet connection is available as soon as you arrive.
Is your move for the short-term?
Operators generally offer 24 month contracts for an internet connection. Orange offers you two options:
Choose a Homebox :
This box needs no installation and grants you unlimited surfing from your home, commitment free. Further info here >
Choose a Fiber offer with just a 6 month commitment
A unique offer in Luxembourg. Further info here >
What about your post?
Consider informing the local Post Office or postal service for your old place of residence of your change of address, so you can organise for your mail to be forwarded.
3. Insurance
Do you have insurance?
Car, home, or civil liability, consider taking out insurance so you can relax during your stay.
Do you have a car? If you want to drive in Luxembourg you will need to register your car there within 6 months of your move, and it will need to be insured. You will need to notify the National Society of Automobile Traffic [Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile] (SNCA) within a month, in order to make the necessary changes to your 'carte grise' vehicle registration certificate.
Check your home insurance also, and ensure that your new home is covered from the first day of your move.
4. Enrolling your children in nursery or school
Consider enrolling your children in nursery or school as soon as you have found your new home (the waiting lists are rather long in Luxembourg).
Good to know
Schools are multilingual in Luxembourg, and it is mandatory for children to attend from 4 to 16 years of age. Children will first learn Luxembourgish, then German (age 6) and then French (age 7).
Visit the Family section on guichet.lu. to find out more about the various childcare options (care at home, au pairs, drop-off centres such as nurseries and day care, parental support, etc.) in Luxembourg. As regards schooling and education, visit the Education section on guichet.lu.
Good to know
Childcare service vouchers [chèque-service accueil (CSA)] allow parents to benefit from discounts at nurseries, ‘maisons relais’ [day care centres for out of school hours], mini-nurseries, children’s homes and parental assistants. To do so, the childcare centre must be recognised as a service provider for childcare service vouchers, by the Ministry of National Education, Childhood and Youth.
5. Find a job
Have your qualification certificates and references from previous employers close to hand. You will need them to register with the National Employment Agency, the ADEM, (l’agence pour l’emploi.)
The following websites are among the most used to find a job:
Good to know
Don’t forget to check social networks such as LinkedIn or career fairs.
6. Declaration to the municipal government
You will need to register your arrival with the population office of the municipal government within 3 months of moving.
Take the opportunity to apply for your residential parking permit if you have a car.
You can also register on the electoral roll.