Digital Nomad Life in Luxembourg
Summary: Luxembourg is becoming increasingly popular as a destination for digital nomads. The most popular cities for digital nomads in Luxembourg are Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette, and Differdange. Digital nomads like living in Luxembourg because of its high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and low cost of living. A digital nomad can live comfortably in Luxembourg on a monthly budget of around €2,000. This budget should cover accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. The culture of Luxembourg is a mix of French, German, and Luxembourgish influences. The country is known for its strong sense of community, its excellent cuisine, and its vibrant nightlife. Luxembourg is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year.
How do I meet people in Luxembourg?
When we asked people living in Luxembourg about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:
"Expats in Luxembourg often join clubs and activities such as sports teams, language classes, and cultural events. Expats can also meet people by attending local festivals, joining meetup groups, or attending networking events. Additionally, many expats find it helpful to join online forums and social media groups related to their interests. This can be a great way to connect with other expats and locals in Luxembourg," explained one person living in Luxembourg.
What is life like in Luxembourg?
When we asked people living in Luxembourg what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:
"Living in Luxembourg as an expat or digital nomad can be a great experience. The country is known for its high quality of life, with excellent infrastructure, a safe and secure environment, and a diverse and welcoming population. Expats and digital nomads can enjoy a wide range of activities, from exploring the city's many cultural attractions to taking advantage of the country's excellent outdoor activities. The cost of living in Luxembourg is relatively high, but the country's high wages and generous social benefits make it an attractive destination for expats and digital nomads. Additionally, Luxembourg is a great place to start a business, with a strong economy and a supportive business environment," remarked one member in Luxembourg.
Where should I live in Luxembourg?
We asked digital nomads and expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:
"Finding a place to live in Luxembourg can be a daunting task. The best way to start is by researching the different neighborhoods and areas of the country to determine which one best suits your needs. You can also look into local real estate agents who specialize in helping expats find a place to live. Additionally, there are a number of websites and online forums dedicated to helping expats find a place to live in Luxembourg. These websites often have listings of available apartments and houses, as well as helpful advice from other expats who have gone through the process. Finally, you can also look into local newspapers and classifieds for listings of available properties," said one expat who made the move to Luxembourg.
"We have been here nearly 2 years. When my husband got the job offer to come over here, it was late August. The company flew us over in early September to look at housing. There was only one house in this town. After looking at houses that were 30 minutes from the school, we chose the first one. It's all about location, location, location. Our town has many expat families, so the carpooling opportunities are numerous. Besides, it is not our house, it is someone elses. Our time here is temporary. You don't want to spend weekends (Saturdays only as Sundays you can't use any power equipment!) worrying about the house. It's closer to school and a bit older, but conveniently located and serves the purpose," explained one foreigner living in Bertrange, Luxembourg.
What do I need to know before moving to Luxembourg?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Luxembourg, they said:
"Before retiring in Luxembourg, expats should familiarize themselves with the country's tax system, as well as the cost of living and healthcare. It is also important to research the availability of public transportation, as well as the availability of leisure activities and cultural attractions. Additionally, expats should consider the language barrier, as Luxembourgish is the official language, although French, German, and English are also widely spoken. Finally, expats should research the visa and residency requirements for retirees," remarked one member in Luxembourg.
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What do people appreciate most about the culture in Luxembourg?
"We truly appreciate how kind people are here! That really surprised us. For the most part, people are very helpful and considerate. We love that it's a small country and that they take very good care of their people. The medical system is really good. The cost for all public transportation within all of Luxembourg is only 45euros for a monthly pass which to us is very reasonable. Students can purchase an annual, all access pass for a little more. The very first thing we noticed was how quiet it is here, even in the city. It's a very clean and neat country. It's fairly safe here too. We love the diversity of cultures that have merged here," said one expat who made the move to Luxembourg City.
"Expats in Luxembourg appreciate the country's strong sense of community and the welcoming attitude of the locals. They also enjoy the country's rich cultural heritage, with its many festivals, museums, and galleries. Additionally, expats appreciate the country's excellent infrastructure, with its efficient public transportation system and modern amenities. Finally, expats enjoy the country's high quality of life, with its low crime rate, excellent healthcare system, and high standard of living," explained one foreigner living in Luxembourg.
What do people find most challenging about the culture in Luxembourg?
"Expats in Luxembourg often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The language barrier can be a challenge, as Luxembourgish is the official language, and many locals do not speak English. Additionally, the cost of living in Luxembourg is high, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the high prices. Furthermore, the local culture is quite formal, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the more formal way of interacting with people. Finally, the local culture is quite conservative, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the more traditional values and customs," explained one expat living in Luxembourg.
"The biggest challenge we faced was trying to figure out how to shop and save money! In the beginning, our grocery budget doubled! Everything is VERY expensive here! New friends have helped us find the good and affordable ways to shop by going to Germany, France and Belgium on a regular basis. It's pretty cheap to take the train or bus. We go to Germany several times a month for everything from our washer (delivered and installed), to clothes, food and most recently Christmas gifts. We use Ikea in Beligum as well which is literally just over the border. Our country is so small, that within about 30 minutes in any direction, we can be in another country--so cool! Shopping outside of Luxembourg is the most common and widely shared "secret" to saving money," said one person in Luxembourg City.
What residency documents or visas did I need if I will be in Luxembourg for a while?
"If you plan to stay in Luxembourg for a while, you will need to apply for a residence permit. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa before entering the country. You will also need to provide proof of sufficient financial resources, health insurance, and a valid passport," said one expat in Luxembourg.
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What cultural blunders should I try to avoid making in Luxembourg?
We asked people in Luxembourg if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. They wrote:
"I think the most humorous blunders for the whole family have been because of translation and mispronunciations issues. With 4 languages it can get quite confusing. We've had a few conversations where we thought we were talking about air and hair and the function of our radiator when it turned out to really be horses but the English mispronunciation back to us was "whores". Between the 4 languages, air, hair, horse and whores can all sound very similar and when ever so slightly used incorrectly can erupt a room into laughter. We can hardly talk about hair and horses anymore without busting up with laughter every time. On a recent visit to Germany I wanted to practice a couple phrases I learned, to order our favorite lunch. I got to the counter and successfully made the order but at the end one of my kids changed their minds but I hadn't practiced the new choice. I must have looked so lost because the lady spoke up, in English, and asked if she had heard my child correctly and this would be the final order. I was shocked, assuming she didn't know English and confirmed the order. When I asked about her English she said, "oh yes I speak a lot of English but I thought you wanted to practice your German so I just let you"!! *blush*," remarked one member in Luxembourg City.
"It is important to be aware of the cultural norms in Luxembourg to avoid making any cultural faux pas. For example, it is considered impolite to be late for social engagements, so it is important to arrive on time. Additionally, it is important to dress appropriately for social occasions, as dressing too casually may be seen as disrespectful. It is also important to be aware of the local language, as many Luxembourgers speak multiple languages and may be offended if you do not make an effort to communicate in their language. Finally, it is important to be respectful of the local customs and traditions, as they are an important part of the culture," explained one expat living in Luxembourg.
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What are healthcare services like in Luxembourg?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Luxembourg, they replied:
"Purchase supplemental health insurance. You need your CNS card to do it and that usually takes a few weeks to arrive. As soon as it does, you can purchase the insurance which covers things like private rooms, whatever CNS doesn't cover and travel abroad. Go directly to the insurance company (there are many to choose from) and ask for a quote. Going to an independent agent can be much more expensive. I came from the US where we had international insurance until January when we went "local" and went onto Luxembourg's health insurance system (CNS) . I broke a tooth in February and we didn't have our CNS cards yet. But I mailed in all my expenses after the tooth extraction, stiches and post implanted (this was 2200 euro) . They paid zero. I have resubmitted my request after the implant was completed for an additional 1500 euro and still have not received anything from CNS. Also I find it very difficult with CNS because of the language barrier on my end. In the meantime we applied for supplemental insurance and was told I had to wait 8 months for dental coverage. I also travel to the US to see our children. I have a separate policy for that at a cost of 119 euro a year + 43 euros a month if I stay over 3 months. My daughter is employed, but we also had to purchase independent insurance for my college aged son at a cost of $1700/year. The supplemental insurance for my husband and me costs about 225 euro/month. If you don't go to the US for more than 4 weeks, you are set, but if you do, you may want to look into costs of coverage. CNS will only pay what they would pay in Luxembourg for coverage so you really do need something," explained one expat living in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
"Luxembourg offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and preventive care. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and foreign residents. The quality of public healthcare is generally high, with modern facilities and well-trained staff. Foreign residents have access to the public healthcare system, and expats in Luxembourg can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local commune and obtaining a health insurance card. Expats can also opt for private healthcare, which is more expensive but offers more choice and flexibility," said one digital nomad in Luxembourg.
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What are the pros and cons of living in Luxembourg?
"Expats and digital nomads in Luxembourg appreciate the country's high quality of life, with its excellent infrastructure, low crime rate, and excellent public transportation system. They also enjoy the country's diverse cultural offerings, with its many museums, galleries, and festivals. Additionally, the country's strong economy and low taxes make it an attractive place to live and work. On the downside, expats and digital nomads may find the cost of living in Luxembourg to be quite high, and the language barrier can be a challenge," commented a person living in Luxembourg.
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About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
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