Call 0330 880 3600 Calls may be monitored or recorded. Opening Times.

Blog Header

Need help?

UK Customer Services0330 880 3600

Open Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm, Saturday 8:30am to 4pm and closed Sundays.
(Calls may be monitored or recorded)

Contact details can be found in your policy documentation

Available 24 hours a day, every day

Travel Insurance Luxembourg

flag-luxembourg

Luxembourg Country Guide

  1. Country Facts
  2. Health
  3. Media
  1. Intro
  2. Geography
  3. People
  4. Travel
  5. Embassies & Visas
  6. Finance
  7. Cities/Regions

Quick Facts

Region: Europe
Full Name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Capital City: Luxembourg
Language Spoken: Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)

Luxembourg Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to Luxembourg from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Luxembourg and most of the world.

Get a quote
flag-luxembourg

Geographic data

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Elevation Extremes

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Land boundaries

total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use

arable land: 23.94% permanent crops: 0.39% other: 75.67% (includes Belgium) (2005)

Environmental current issues

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

Climate

Warm weather from May to September and snow likely during winter months. The north (the Ardennes region) tends to be wetter and colder than the south. Required clothing Waterproofs are advisable at all times of the year.

Time difference

time difference: UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Population

474,413 (July 2006 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.9% (male 46,118/female 43,356) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 159,498/female 156,075) 65 years and over: 14.6% (male 28,027/female 41,339) (2006 est.)

Median age

total: 38.7 years male: 37.7 years female: 39.7 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate

1.23% (2006 est.)

Birth rate

11.94 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate

8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate

8.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.89 years male: 75.6 years female: 82.38 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Business Practices

Visiting business persons are expected to wear suits to meetings. It is advisable to make prior appointments and business cards are often used. Many Luxembourgers are also able to speak English, especially in the business and government sectors. Office hours are generally 0830-1200 and 1400-1800 Monday to Friday.

Crime

Luxembourg has a very low crime rate. Visitors should nonetheless take appropriate precautions against petty thieves such as pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Such thieves have been known to lurk in highly frequented tourist areas. Visitors should also take precautions against car thieves and residential burglars. The police in Luxembourg are very well equipped and ready to respond to a call in a timely manner.

Hotels

Luxembourg has a wide range of hotels. A number of holiday flats and chalets are available throughout the country. There are over 120 campsites throughout the country. According to government regulations, campsites are ranged in three different categories and the tariff in each camp is shown at the entrance. There are youth hostels at Beaufort, Bourglinster, Echternach, Ettelbruck, Grevenmacher, Hollenfels, Lultzhausen, Luxembourg-Ville, Vianden and Wiltz.

Communications

Full telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 352 and there are no area codes. The outgoing international code is 00. International phones have a yellow sign showing a telephone dial with a receiver in the center. There is a fax booth at the Luxembourg-Ville main post office. Faxes may be sent to a central number (491 175) for delivery by express mail within Luxembourg. Post office hours are generally 0800-1200 and 1330-1700 Monday to Friday. The Luxembourg-Ville main office is open 0700-1900. Smaller offices may open for only a few hours. Telephone 49911 for details.

Electricity

is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Plug Types

C,F

Food And Dining

Luxembourg cooking combines German heartiness with Franco-Belgian finesse. The preparation of trout, pike and crayfish is excellent, as are the pastries and cakes. Delicious desserts are prepared with local liqueurs, and a dash of quetsch, mirabelle or kirsch will be added to babas or fruit cups. Most aspects of restaurants and bars are similar to the rest of Europe. Luxembourg's white Moselle wines resemble those of the Rhine, but are drier than the fruitier wines of the French Moselle. Beer is another specialty and is a traditional industry. Minimum drinking age: The minimum age for drinking in bars is 17, and anyone younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult in cafes and bars. Hours are generally from 0700-2400 (weekdays) and until 0300 (weekends and public holidays). Nightclubs are generally open until 0300.

National specialties:
? Carr? de porc fum? (smoked pork and broad beans or sauerkraut).
? Cochon de lait en gel?e (jellied suckling pig).
? Jambon d'Ardennes (famous smoked Ardennes ham).
? Tarte aux quetsches.
? Omelette souffl?e au kirsch. National drinks:
? Bofferding, Diekirch Mousel and Simon (beer).
? Eau de vie (45 to 50 per cent alcohol).

Tipping:
Bills generally include service, but a rounding up is often given. Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent of meter charge.

Nightlife
Visitors to Luxembourg can enjoy a variety of evening entertainment from theater performances, classical music concerts, opera and ballet, to nightclubs, cinemas and discos. For more information, contact the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (see Top Things To Do).

Entry departure requirements

Note Luxembourg is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visa immigration information

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a)1. EU/EEA nationals (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU/EEA nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU/EEA Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
(b) nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, holding a valid national ID card.

Note

2. It is advisable to have a return ticket, but not obligatory. If a visitor is not in possession of a return ticket, proof of sufficient means of support may be required.

Visas

Required by all except the following nationals for periods not exceeding three months and as long as the passport is still valid for three months beyond length of stay:
(a) nationals referred to in the chart above;
(b) nationals mentioned under passport exemptions above;
(c) nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
(d) passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 72 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (except nationals of certain countries who always need an airport transit visa). Please contact the Consulate for details.

Types of visa and cost

A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. All Schengen visas, regardless of the duration of stay and whether single- or multiple-entry, are available for approximately US$46 , although prices are subject to change.

Note

Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse's passport and the original marriage certificate is produced) receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details).

Validity

Short-stay visas are valid for up to six months from date of issue for single- or multiple-entries of maximum 90 days in total. Transit visas are valid for single- or multiple-entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day of arrival. Long-stay visas are valid for up to one year. Visas cannot be extended; a new application must be made each time.

Application to

Applications must be made in person to the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) of the Benelux country which the applicant will enter first.

Application requirements

(a) One completed application form. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) Passport valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the visa (with a blank page to affix visa stamp). (d) Proof of the purpose of visit (official letter of invitation/confirmed hotel booking; onward or return ticket). (e) Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the duration of stay. (f) Evidence of medical coverage for the Schengen countries (eg form E111). (g) Fee.

Working days required

Two days to three weeks depending on purpose of visit and nationality.

Temporary residence

Enquire about special application procedures at Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

HIV entry requirements

No Test Required

Departure tax

None

Embassies

Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the UK

27 Wilton Crescent, London SW1X 8SD, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 6961.
Website: http://londres.mae.lu/en
E-mail: amb.lux@virgin.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1330-1700; 1000-1145 (visa section; applications).

Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the USA

2200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 265 4171/2
Website: http://washington.mae.lu/en

Travel Warnings

Most visits to Luxembourg are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice.

British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

US Department of State

Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

Currency

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Luxembourg). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Luxembourg Franc was completely replaced by the Euro on 28 February 2002. Euro (?) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of ?500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of ?2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency.

Banking hours

Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1630, with limited hours on Saturday.

Currency exchange

Foreign currencies, travelers cheques and cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change, the airport, railway stations, the post office and major hotels (generally at a less advantageous rate).

Credit cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and others are all widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Many retailers require a minimum (eg ?10 to 25) before accepting credit/debit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. ATMs are widely available.

Travellers cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

N/A

  1. Health Information
  2. Recent Disease Outbreaks
  3. Hospital Database

Dental care

Good quality dental care can be found in the larger towns and cities

Medication Availability

Supplies of international medications are generally available

Blood supplies

Blood supplies are considered as safe, collected from volunteer donors and screened to international standards

Medical facilities

Medical facilities are available, but may be limited outside urban areas.

General caution

Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.

Specific concerns

Heavy concentrations of salmonella bacteria have caused health officials to warn against swimming in the Grand Duchy's main rivers: the Moesel and the Sure. Hikers should take protective measures against ticks.

Immunization

All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.

Disease risk summary

Luxembourg enjoys a high standard of public health. The incidence of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases is slightly higher than is found in other industrialized countries. Ordinary colds and bronchial coughs from the damp climate are the most common ailments. Humidity increases sinus trouble, rheumatism, arthritis, catarrh, and asthma. The incidence of communicable diseases in most areas is such that they are unlikely to prove a hazard to the international traveler greater than that found in his own country. There are, of course, health risks, but in most areas the precautions required are minimal. High levels of immunization coverage have reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles and diphtheria. Influenza risk extends from November to April. Rabies is prevalent in wild animals, especially foxes, in rural areas. Lyme disease occurs.

Entry requirements

None.

Recent disease outbreaks

No recent disease outbreaks

NameAddress
Centre Hospitalier de LorraineCliniques du Sud-Luxembourg (CSL) Rue de Harnoncourt 48 Virton-St-Mard 6762
Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg4, Rue Barble Luxembourg 1210
Clinique Belle-VueCliniques du Sud-Luxembourg (CSL) Avenue de la Liberation 39 Athus 6791
Clinique Sainte Therese36, rue Sainte Zithe Luxembourg L-2763
Clinique St. JosephCliniques du Sud-Luxembourg (CSL) Rue des Deportes 137 Arlon 6700
Clinique Ste. Therese36 Rue Zithe Luxembourg L-2763
Hopital de la Ville d'Esch-sur-AlzetteEmile Mayrisch Street BP 436 Esch-sur-Alzette 4005

Media

Luxembourg has a long tradition of operating radio and TV services for pan-European audiences, including those in France, Germany and the UK thanks to the Luxembourg-based media group RTL. Today, RTL's television and radio stations remain key players in media markets across Europe. The country is also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Societ? Europ?enne des Satellites (SES), which operates the Astra satellite fleet. Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the constitution.
Press: There are several daily newspapers including the L?tzebuerger Journal, Luxemburger Wort, Tageblatt/Zeitung fir Letzebuerg and Zeitung vum L?tzeburger Vollek. 352 is an weekly publication in English.
TV: RTL Tele Letzebuerg is RTL's domestic network; Nordliicht TV broadcasts in northern Luxembourg.
Radio: RTL Radio Letzebuerg is RTL's domestic network; Den Neien Radio is a commercial network; Radio ARA broadcasts a variety of music and some English-language programs; EldoRadio broadcasts pop music; Honnert,7 (100.7) is a public, cultural station.