The Luxembourg government has made clear it will not support the EU’s proposed “Chat Control” regulation, which aims to combat online child sexual abuse but includes provisions for scanning private communications. Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue (CSV) stressed that Luxembourg “rejects any general surveillance of private communications,” arguing that the measures are overly intrusive and risk violating fundamental rights guaranteed under EU law. The proposal, spearheaded by Denmark and set for a European vote on 14 October, would require email and online service providers to automatically analyze content through methods such as “client-side scanning” and download moderation. Critics warn this would enable mass surveillance, including of people with no link to criminal activity. While Luxembourg fully supports stronger protections for children online, it insists that the fight against paedophilia must focus on targeted detection rather than blanket surveillance of all citizens. The government plans to push for more proportionate measures in upcoming EU negotiations, alongside other countries that share its concerns. Read More : Luxembourg rejette la surveillance de masse dans le cadre de ChatControl - L'essentiel Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu  

Starting January 2026, Luxembourg residents will see a reduction in their net salaries as part of the government’s pension reform announced by Prime Minister Luc Frieden earlier this month. Pension contributions will rise by 0.5% of gross salary for employees, while the self-employed will face a 1% increase since they cover both employer and employee shares. For minimum wage earners, the change means an additional €14 to €16 deduction each month, depending on skill level. For instance, an unskilled worker earning €2,703.74 gross will see monthly contributions increase from €216.29 to €229.81, while a qualified minimum wage worker on €3,244.48 gross will pay €275.78 instead of €259.55. Higher earners will also feel the impact. Someone on €4,000 gross per month will contribute €340 instead of €320, a difference of €20 monthly, or €240 annually. At €10,000 gross, contributions will rise by €50 a month. The government says this reform is necessary to keep Luxembourg’s pension system solvent, as forecasts predicted a deficit by 2026. However, it is only a temporary fix, with further reforms expected by 2030 to secure long-term stability. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu

German CDU parliamentarian Philip Hoffmann has been elected chairman of the Belgian-Luxembourg parliamentary group in the Bundestag, a role he describes as that of a "parliamentary ambassador" fostering stronger ties with the two neighboring countries. Hoffmann, who until recently was a cross-border worker himself, stressed his personal connection to Luxembourg: “I know Luxembourg well, because I was a cross-border worker until I entered Parliament in March, and I still cross the border every week.” Border controls have been a sensitive issue in recent months. Reflecting on his own experience, Hoffmann welcomed the current joint checks carried out with Luxembourg as “the best solution to guarantee both security and flexibility.” While he dismissed the idea of scrapping controls altogether—warning it could open pathways for irregular entry via Luxembourg—he emphasized that risks from the Grand Duchy itself are minimal, adding warmly: “In Luxembourg, they are our friends.” Beyond border issues, Hoffmann highlighted cooperation on taxation, economic activity, and cross-border trade. He remains optimistic about resolving disputes such as the taxation of overtime, which he noted is handled at the national level but regularly discussed bilaterally. Meetings with Luxembourg’s Ministers of Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, and of the Environment and Civil Service, Serge Wilmes, are scheduled for October. As both a politician and a winemaker, Hoffmann also underlined the need to reduce red tape for businesses: “I produce a Luxembourgish-German crémant, but there is far too much bureaucracy for wine to cross borders. Read More : Philip Hoffmann: A Parliamentary Ambassador for Germany and Luxembourg - The Bottom Line Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu 

Luxembourg’s national team achieved remarkable success at the Euroskills competition in Herning, Denmark, returning with a silver medal and four medals of excellence. The Grand Duchy had sent a delegation of 20 young professionals competing across 17 different trades, and their performance drew praise both at home and abroad. In gardening and landscaping, Nico Fuchs and Florian Theisen won silver, while four other participants earned medals of excellence: Pit Hansen in automotive technology, Jannik Bares in plumbing and heating, Laurence Bley in hotel reception, and Sébastien Fohr in web technologies. Education Minister Claude Meisch applauded the results, highlighting the “excellence and commitment” of Luxembourg’s young talents and congratulating the entire team for representing the country with pride. The next Euroskills competition will take place in 2027, with Düsseldorf as the host city and Luxembourg also set to co-organize part of the event. Read More : Euroskills: Le Luxembourg remporte une médaille d'argent et quatre médailles d'excellence - L'essentiel Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Residents of Strassen have been advised not to drink tap water without boiling it first, after tests revealed bacteriological contamination. Analyses conducted by the Water Management Administration confirmed that the water supply does not currently meet safety standards for human consumption. The municipality, home to more than 10,600 inhabitants, has instructed residents to boil water for at least two minutes before using it for drinking or preparing food, especially raw fruits and vegetables. Local technical services are working in close cooperation with state authorities to resolve the issue quickly. Officials have pledged to update residents as soon as the water supply returns to normal standards. Read More : Strassen: L'eau du robinet devient non potable en raison de bactéries - L'essentiel Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

As thousands of pupils across Luxembourg return to school next week, the Grand Ducal police will roll out their annual road safety campaign to protect children on their way to and from class. Police patrols will be reinforced around schools, with officers carrying out extra checks on speeding and illegal parking in school zones. Fluorescent vests will be distributed to the youngest pupils to ensure they are more visible to drivers. This year, the campaign also introduces a new competition where children can decorate their own reflective vests and submit them with their class, encouraging creativity while reinforcing safety awareness. Authorities are urging parents, children, and drivers alike to stay vigilant. Parents are encouraged to practice the school route with their children, choose safe paths over shorter ones, and ensure children exit cars on the pavement side. High-visibility clothing and helmets for cycling are strongly advised. Children are reminded to use crossings, avoid walking on the edge of pavements, and remain cautious near driveways or parked cars that may block visibility. For drivers, police stress that children may be distracted or nervous during the first days of school. Motorists are urged to slow down near schools and bus stops, remain alert, and always be prepared to brake suddenly. The message is clear: shared responsibility on the roads is essential to keep Luxembourg’s children safe as the new school year begins. More Info: police.public.lu/en/actualites/2025/09/semaine-37/rentree-scolaire-2025.html Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Luxembourg experienced its heaviest rainfall in nearly eight decades earlier this week, as torrential downpours between Monday night and Tuesday set new records at the Findel weather station. MeteoLux confirmed that 126.7 liters per square meter fell within 24 hours—nearly double the average rainfall for the entire month of September. The storm also shattered the 12-hour rainfall record, with 123.2 l/m² measured, surpassing the previous record of 74.2 l/m² set in July 2001. MeteoLux explained that a combination of strong upper-level dynamics and weak surface winds kept storm cells nearly stationary, producing “exceptionally heavy rains” across several regions. The scale of the damage is already becoming clear. The Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies of Luxembourg (ACA) reported more than 1,000 claims filed, with 85% linked to damaged homes and 15% to vehicles. While the full financial toll is still being assessed, early conservative estimates point to more than €8 million in insured losses. From flooded homes to damaged infrastructure, the latest floods highlight Luxembourg’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

A new 1,000-seat train will soon ease the evening rush for cross-border commuters between Luxembourg and Metz. Starting Monday, the 5:15 p.m. TER will be operated with three double-decker trains, increasing capacity by 340 seats compared to the pre-summer offer. In total, this expansion will provide around 5% more places during peak hours between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., helping to reduce crowding for the thousands of passengers traveling daily along the Lorraine corridor, including Thionville. The improvement comes as traffic returns to normal following summer construction works. According to the Ministry of Mobility and CFL, the launch has been made possible thanks to new rolling stock in Luxembourg and platform extensions at several stations in Lorraine, which now allow longer trains to operate. Officials describe this as only the first step in broader efforts to improve cross-border mobility. The project is the result of joint efforts between the Grand Est Region, the Luxembourg Ministry of Mobility, SNCF, and CFL, continuing a partnership signed in 2018 to address the growing demand for transport between the two countries. Luxembourg and France have each committed €230 million to these cross-border projects—€220 million earmarked for rail and €10 million for road improvements—bringing the total joint investment to €460 million. The new train service is seen as an early milestone in this long-term mobility plan. Read More : CFL renforce les capacités ferroviaires: un train de 1 000 places entre Luxembourg et Metz - L'essentiel 

Marking a significant turning point, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg made his final official visit to the Luxembourg Army in Diekirch, inspecting the troops one last time ahead of his abdication on 3 October. The ceremony at Herrenberg barracks represented the end of his 25-year tenure as Commander-in-Chief. Present at the event were Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes and Army Chief of Staff Steve Thull. As a gesture of gratitude, Thull presented the Grand Duke with a specially engraved sabre. The blade bore a crowned “H” for Henri, and the scabbard carried the inscription: “25 years Commander of the Luxembourg Army. Thank you for your commitment.” According to official statements, the gift was meant to honour Henri’s dedication and service—both during his time as Prince and after becoming Grand Duke. Henri’s role as Commander-in-Chief of the Army has spanned a quarter of a century, and his farewell comes as part of a broader constitutional transition. With his abdication imminent, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume will take on the throne, ushering in a new chapter for the Grand Duchy. National celebrations are scheduled around the succession, underscoring the ceremonial and symbolic weight of the moment for Luxembourg’s military and citizens alike. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu   

Luxembourg’s Education Minister Claude Meisch has announced that French literacy will become a standard part of the primary school curriculum beginning in the 2026/27 academic year. The reform, which will roll out in Cycle 1.2 (the second year of kindergarten), forms part of a broader strategy to promote equality, expand opportunities, and provide stronger support for children with special needs. Breaking Down Barriers in Education Currently, Luxembourgish-speaking pupils are disproportionately channelled into the country’s “classic” track in secondary education, while other language groups often face barriers. Meisch argued that introducing French literacy early will help balance opportunities and rejected claims that the reform would deepen divisions. “These divisions already exist,” he said, emphasising that the measure instead aims to create fairer pathways. This change builds on earlier reforms designed to reduce grade repetition rates. According to ministry projections, the French literacy programme could lower the number of students repeating a year by up to 25%, easing both social and academic inequalities. Addressing Infrastructure and Staffing Concerns Teachers’ unions have raised concerns about the shortage of classrooms. Meisch estimated that roughly 150 additional classrooms will be required nationwide, but stressed that municipalities must address this demand regardless, given Luxembourg’s growing population. Meanwhile, the ministry will double the number of classroom assistants for children with special needs, expanding from 50 to 100 assistants. Since the 2017 inclusion reform, specialised staff numbers have already tripled, from 645 to 1,845. Expanding French in Secondary and Vocational Education The reform also extends to secondary and vocational education. At present, 39 vocational programmes (DAPs) are available in French; from next year, all programmes will be. New tracks are also opening up, including a music section at Lycée Michel Lucius, along with “Economic Affairs” and “Data Literacy” at the École de Commerce et de Gestion (ECG). In addition, students will gain more flexibility: from 2026/27, those graduating from the classic track can opt into a one-year shortened vocational programme (DAP raccourci), while graduates from the technical track will find it easier to pursue higher education. The school leaving age will also rise from 16 to 18, in line with the government’s broader push to ensure students are better prepared for the labour market and higher studies. Strengthening Support and Modern Tools Schools with disadvantaged student populations will be assigned a second special needs teacher (I-EBS), and two new socio-therapeutic centres will open this year. Cooperation with the National Office for Children (ONE) will also be intensified to provide better family support. Finally, the ministry is drafting guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms. The focus, Meisch said, will be on finding the right age to introduce AI tools while ensuring students continue to develop essential skills in self-expression. A Reform with Long-Term Impact This literacy reform marks the latest milestone in Luxembourg’s evolving education system. After the 2017 inclusion law significantly increased specialised support staff, the new measures aim to tackle persistent inequalities while adapting schools to a multilingual society and a digital future. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu