On August 14, 2025, the municipality of Rumelange officially announced—via an RGTR (General Public Transport System) notice—that it will provide extra bus services for the duration of the upcoming Schueberfouer 2025. This move aims to support the large influx of visitors expected during Luxembourg’s iconic funfair, one of the country’s major annual events. Schueberfouer, set to run from August 22 to September 10, 2025, is renowned for attracting thousands of guests each year. Anticipating increased demand, Rumelange and surrounding municipalities have coordinated with RGTR to reinforce existing bus routes. According to the official notice, the additional "courses de renfort" will help ensure smooth and safe transit to and from the festival grounds—it is part of a broader public transport strategy that has been deployed for prior editions of the fair. Municipal officials recommend that travelers consult updated timetables, which are available on both the Rumelange municipal website and the RGTR’s official portals. The measures are designed to minimize congestion on key routes and enable festival-goers from Rumelange and beyond to enjoy the festivities with greater ease. This announcement underscores the role of public transport in facilitating access to large-scale community events while supporting sustainable and efficient urban mobility. Reference links: https://rumelange.lu/avis-rgtr-courses-de-renfort-schueberfouer-2025/ https://www.vdl.lu/en/visiting/leisure-and-recreation/festivals-fairs-and-events/schueberfouer-2025 https://mobiliteit.lu/en/disruptions-and-works/ https://www.vdl.lu/en/visiting/leisure-and-recreation/festivals-fairs-and-events/schueberfouer/schueberfouer-access/getting-there-bus-or-tram

Bars in Luxembourg could soon offer a wider variety of beers as longstanding exclusivity agreements tied to major breweries begin to loosen. The country’s largest brewing company, Brasserie Nationale de Luxembourg, has informed bar operators they may now stock beers from craft brewers without breaching existing contracts. Traditionally, many bars in Luxembourg have been bound by exclusive contracts with either Brasserie Nationale or AB InBev-owned Diekirch, which control a significant share of the country's bar and alcohol licenses—about one-third of nearly 3,300 bar licenses and 40% of alcohol licenses are tied to these two breweries. However, according to the Confédération des Brasseries et des Brasseurs du Luxembourg (CBBL), an agreement reached quietly two years ago is now allowing bars controlled through these exclusive contracts to sell specialty beers from other CBBL members, which include craft breweries such as Clausel, Heischter, and Hinkelsbaacher, as well as smaller microbreweries that produce under contract elsewhere. Despite the agreement's existence, Brasserie Nationale had not widely publicized that bar operators tied to their products could also offer other specialty beers. Georges Lentz, Managing Director of Brasserie Nationale, explained that the company does not proactively contact tenants unless there is an issue but is open to bars selling other beers as long as it doesn’t cannibalize Brasserie Nationale’s own brands. Approval is typically given if the other beers are specialty products and members of the federation. Some bar operators have used the brewery’s alleged restrictions as an excuse to turn away new sales reps trying to offer alternative beers, often because they are not interested in expanding their beer selection. Edmond Libens, Director of Lëtzebuerger Stad Brauerei, which produces the Clausel brand, pointed to challenges on both sides. He noted that while Brasserie Nationale appears to show goodwill by opening doors to smaller breweries, sales reps paid on performance sometimes act contrary to this promise. He believes meaningful change will depend on government intervention, as the current system heavily favors large breweries like Bofferding and Diekirch, making it difficult for smaller and foreign competitors to grow. Libens added that with just three establishments currently serving their beer, surviving remains challenging, and they must push hard to sell Clausel beers. Recent research commissioned by the Economy Ministry and the Horesca industry federation found that 90% of Luxembourg bar or café visitors go out with friends, and 71% enter with a partner, signaling a diverse and growing customer base that could welcome broader beer choices. This gradual shift may mark a turning point for Luxembourg’s beer market, offering consumers more options and potentially reshaping the dynamics between large breweries, craft brewers, and bar operators. read more https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/bars-in-luxembourg-could-soon-offer-a-broader-selection-of-beers/ --- Join the #1 go-to expats community Luxembourg Expats - Sign Up Free at luxembourgexpats.lu

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) have jointly launched a new initiative aimed at assessing and refining AI chatbot technologies for customer service in the banking sector. The project focuses on developing advanced tools and scientific methods to evaluate "agentic" AI systems—AI capable of autonomous decision-making—targeting improvements in user trust, fairness, robustness, and human oversight. These criteria are especially critical as AI becomes more embedded in high-stakes industries like finance. By leveraging the LIST AI Sandbox, the initiative will test real-world banking use cases, working to reduce common AI limitations such as bias and hallucinations. The collaboration aims to create a scalable, replicable framework that ensures AI solutions meet operational, regulatory, and ethical standards while enhancing personalization and security for banking customers. Olivier Gorin, Head of Digital Banking at BIL, highlighted the project’s importance, noting that insights gained will help tailor future AI services to customer needs safely and accurately. Francesco Ferrero from LIST emphasized that the effort advances the AI Sandbox’s maturity, moving closer to market-ready trustworthy AI deployment in mission-critical applications. This launch marks the first phase of a broader partnership promoting responsible AI adoption across Luxembourg’s financial sector. read more: https://www.list.lu/en/media/press/new-list-bil-initiative-aims-to-set-standard-for-evaluating-agentic-ai-in-finance/ --- Join the #1 go-to expats community Luxembourg Expats - Sign Up Free at luxembourgexpats.lu

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent travel advisory for UK citizens travelling to Luxembourg, along with France, Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy. This alert comes as authorities prepare to implement the new Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) starting in October 2025. The new system introduces significantly tighter border controls across the Schengen Area. Among the key changes is the mandatory biometric data collection of travellers—specifically, fingerprints and facial photographs—when entering and exiting these countries. As a result, travellers should expect longer waiting times and potential delays at border crossings. The FCDO urges UK nationals to plan for this when travelling to the affected countries, including Luxembourg. In addition, the advisory stresses that passports must meet strict validity requirements. Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the traveller’s planned date of departure from the Schengen Area. Furthermore, the passport should have been issued within the last ten years to comply with entry rules under the new system. The FCDO’s travel advisory highlights these requirements clearly as UK citizens prepare for trips to these European destinations, advising all to double-check their travel documents and account for additional time at border controls. This new EES system reflects broader efforts across Europe to enhance security and border management but also requires travellers to be better prepared for the changes on arrival. The advisory serves as a reminder to stay informed of any updates from both UK and Schengen authorities to ensure seamless travel experiences amid these evolving rules. ---- Join the #1 go-to expats community Luxembourg Expats - Sign Up Free at luxembourgexpats.lu

Schifflange Highlights "Significant Impact" of Waste Separation In a recent announcement on 7 August 2025, the commune of Schifflange drew attention to the practice of waste sorting ("Offalltrennung · Tri des déchets"), underscoring its "significant impact" ("Een einfache Gest mat grousser Wierkung"). This initiative is part of broader efforts to promote sustainable development and improve local living environments. The focus on effective waste management is a recurring theme across various Luxembourg communes, reflecting a shared commitment to environmental responsibility and public service: Bettembourg lists "Déchets" (Waste) under its "Environnement" section and includes "Collecter et trier ses déchets" as part of daily living services. The commune also provides a "Calendrier des déchets" (Waste Calendar). Betzdorf similarly prioritises "Gestion des déchets" (Waste Management) and makes a detailed "CALENDRIER DES DÉCHETS" available to its citizens, outlining collection dates for household waste, biodegradable waste, glass, and paper. Mamer features a "Calendrier écologique" (Ecological Calendar) and a "Centre de collecte" (Collection Centre) under its technical services. Like Bettembourg, Mamer also highlights "Collecter et trier ses déchets" as an everyday essential service. Strassen supports waste management through its CityApp, which allows residents to receive notifications about waste collection, and provides a comprehensive waste collection schedule including household, organic, bulky, paper, and glass waste. Grevenmacher includes "Déchets" under its citizen services and has installed new containers for used clothing, offering them a second life. Niederanven mentions "Offallentsuergung" (waste disposal) and offers an "Ëmweltkalenner" (environmental calendar). They also host a "Repair Café," promoting the repair and reuse of items. Wiltz publishes a "Calendrier écologique 2025 - Collecte des déchets" (Ecological Calendar 2025 - Waste Collection). Municipalities are actively encouraging their residents to participate in waste sorting and offering infrastructure and information to facilitate these practices, which are considered crucial for environmental protection.  Join the Luxembourg Expats community luxembourgexpats.lu 

There is recent interesting babysitting training and related initiatives across several Luxembourg communes. Here's a quick summary: Schifflange Takes the Lead with Latest Registration Opening Schifflange recently announced that registrations for its babysitting training program ("Formation Babysitter – Umeldungen / Inscriptions") opened on 6 August 2025, targeting young individuals aged between 15 and 29 years old. This initiative aims to equip young people with the necessary skills to provide childcare, contributing to family support within the commune. This is not an isolated effort, as several other communes across Luxembourg have demonstrated a commitment to supporting families and developing youth skills through similar programs and services: Bertrange also made an announcement for "Formation pour babysitters" on 29 July 2025, indicating a similar program offering training for babysitters. Mersch has scheduled "Babysitting Formatioun" for 4 November and 6 November 2025, showing an ongoing commitment to providing such training opportunities later in the year. Beyond specific training, several communes list "Service Babysitting" or "Babysitting" as a core service under their education or social welfare sections, highlighting the widespread provision of childcare support:Bettembourg lists "Service Babysitting" under "Education". Betzdorf includes "Babysitting" under "Enfants et jeunes" (Children and Youth). Kayl features "Babysitting" under "Vie sociale" (Social Life) and "Service de l’enfance" (Child Services). Mamer also mentions "Service Baby Plus" under "Jeunesse" (Youth). Niederanven lists "Babysitting" under "Kanner a Jugendlecher" (Children and Youth). These efforts are often complemented by other family and youth support systems: Schifflange, Bettembourg, Betzdorf, Kayl, Mamer, and Niederanven all offer a "BabyPLUS" service, which provides early support for families with young children. This underscores a holistic approach to family well-being. Additionally, communes like Schifflange promote broader youth development, as seen with the "Animateur A Formatioun fir Jonker vu 16 bis 30 Joer" (Animator A Training for Young People aged 16 to 30), announced on 30 July 2025. This suggests a focus on preparing young people for various roles within community and leisure activities. The demand for childcare professionals is further indicated by job vacancies for educators and assistant educators in communes such as Kayl (announced 1 August 2025) and Bettembourg (announced 1 August 2025). These consistent initiatives across different communes demonstrate a strong communal commitment to fostering youth development, providing valuable skills for future employment, and ensuring that families have access to necessary childcare support. The opening of babysitting training registrations in Schifflange is a timely reminder of these ongoing efforts. --- Join the Luxembourg Expats community luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxembourg, March 20, 2025 — In a compelling addition to the 2025 edition of the World Happiness Report (released each year on March 20, marking International Happiness Day), STATEC’s Research Department unveils a study spotlighting the protective power of prosocial behaviors—like donating, volunteering, and helping others—in saving lives. The Decline in “Deaths of Despair” (2000–2019) “Deaths of despair”—those resulting from suicide, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse—have been steadily decreasing since 2000, both in Luxembourg and across many middle- to high-income countries. In Luxembourg specifically, the rate dropped from approximately 31 to 20 per 100,000 people (an adult population of about 520,000 in 2019). On average, across 59 countries, the trend saw reductions of nearly 5 deaths per 100,000 over the period; countries like Lithuania and Latvia, which started at higher baseline rates, recorded the sharpest declines. Vulnerable Groups: Men & Older Adults The burden of deaths of despair falls disproportionately on men, particularly those aged 60 and above. In Luxembourg, the 2019 rates were: Men: 28.3 per 100,000 Women: 12.4 per 100,000 Men aged 60+: 39.9 per 100,000 Globally, men are nearly four times more affected than women; individuals aged 60+ face more than twice the risk compared to those aged 15–29. Suicide accounts for about 75% of these deaths, followed by alcohol and drug-related causes. The Power of Prosocial Behavior The study quantifies the impact of prosocial actions: a 10-percentage-point increase in the share of people who engage in such behaviors correlates with a reduction of one death per 100,000 people per year. For Luxembourg’s adult population, that equates to approximately 5.2 lives saved annually. Youth Benefitting Most in Substance Abuse Decline Improvement in younger cohorts is especially notable. Among those aged 15–29, drug-related deaths plummeted by 25.3 per 100,000 for males and 7.6 for females. In fact, currently there are virtually no recorded deaths from drug or alcohol abuse among women aged 15–29 in Luxembourg. A Decline in Prosocial Behavior — A Cause for Concern Ironically, while prosocial behavior helps curb deaths of despair, its prevalence has been declining. In Luxembourg, the proportion of people engaging in such behaviors fell from 42.8% in 2009 to 35.0% in 2019. Key Takeaways Prosocial behavior matters. Actions like volunteering and helping others not only enhance well-being but also save lives. Demographics matter. Men—especially older men—remain at much higher risk of self-harm or substance-related death. Youth Gains. Substance-related deaths among young women have nearly vanished—a major public health victory. Danger ahead? With prosocial behaviors declining, the protective effect could weaken. Supporting social bonds is essential to maintaining this buffer. Why It Matters This study offers a powerful insight: fostering a culture of kindness and mutual support isn't just uplifting—it’s literally life-saving. Policymakers, community leaders, and organizations may wish to encourage volunteering, donations, and social cohesion, particularly targeting vulnerable groups like older men.   Read Here  : Supporting others: how prosocial behaviour can prevent deaths of despair - Statistics Portal - Luxembourg --- Join the Luxembourg Expats community luxembourgexpats.lu  

LUXEMBOURG CITY – Filming has started on Dead Dad Girl, the darkly comic debut feature from Luxembourgish filmmaker Stephen Korytko. Production began in July and is scheduled to continue through August 25, promising a fresh and inventive addition to Luxembourg’s dynamic film scene. A Unique Slate of Talent and Storytelling Dead Dad Girl delivers a coming-of-age tale with an edgy twist: a sharp-tongued 17-year-old misfit hides her drug-dealer father’s corpse in a chest freezer just as her opportunity for popularity arrives. Written by comedian Alexia Verbeke and starring Mabel Thomas in the lead, the cast also includes Luc Schiltz, Sophie Mousel, and Louise Balthazar. Production Backed by Heavyweights in Film Produced by Luxembourg’s esteemed Samsa Film—known for titles like Corsage—alongside U.S. creators of Silicon Valley and Belgian studio Wrong Men, this Luxembourg–Belgium co-production boasts substantial international pedigree. The project benefits from support through Film Fund Luxembourg and Belgium’s tax-incentive scheme for creators. A Homegrown Launchpad for Emerging Talent Stephen Korytko brings experience from directing commercials and a short film (The Golden Record) that premiered in Tallinn in 2023. For producers Bernard Michaux, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky, the collaboration is proving “one of the most rewarding creative experiences” of their careers—thanks to the “distinct texture and spirit” Luxembourg brings to the production. Michaux echoes this creative joy, commending the sharp direction, brilliant script, and lead performance. Why This Matters for Luxembourg Spotlights local storytelling with global reach Reinforces Luxembourg’s role as a thriving hub for creative co-productions Raises the international profile of both emerging and established Luxembourgish cinema talent With production now rolling, Dead Dad Girl is poised to be a standout addition to Luxembourg’s cinematic offerings—bold in theme, rich in collaboration, and rooted in local creativity. Read More : Luxembourg shoot underway for Stephen Korytko debut ‘Dead Dad Girl’ from ‘Corsage’ producer Samsa Film | News | Screen --- Join the Luxembourg Expats community luxembourgexpats.lu 

Luxembourg recorded one of the steepest falls in labour productivity across OECD economies in 2023, according to the newly released OECD Compendium of Productivity Indicators 2025. Productivity Performance in 2023 The report, which measures labour productivity as GDP per hour worked, shows Luxembourg posting a 2.4% decline last year. This places the country near the bottom of the OECD rankings. Only Ireland (-7.4%) and Estonia (-4.6%) experienced larger contractions. In stark contrast, Costa Rica (+6.6%), Latvia (+3.0%), and Romania (+2.6%) emerged as the strongest performers, highlighting significant divergence in productivity growth across member countries. The OECD average stood at +0.8%, showing that overall productivity growth was positive, though unevenly distributed. Diverging Trends Across Economies The data underline a widening gap between economies that achieved notable productivity gains and those that fell behind. While countries such as Costa Rica and Latvia managed to improve efficiency and output per hour worked, others—Luxembourg among them—faced declines that weigh on competitiveness. Luxembourg’s result is particularly notable given the country’s traditionally strong economic indicators. The negative performance contrasts with its reputation for high value-added sectors and positions the Grand Duchy closer to economies struggling with productivity headwinds. Broader OECD Findings The OECD report stresses that productivity remains a crucial driver of long-term economic growth, living standards, and competitiveness. The 2023 figures suggest that structural and cyclical factors continue to shape outcomes differently across economies, leading to sharp variations even within advanced countries. For Luxembourg, the 2023 downturn places renewed focus on the country’s ability to sustain growth and efficiency in the face of shifting global and regional economic conditions. 📊 Full OECD report available here: Productivity in a Shifting Geopolitical and Economic Landscape oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-compendium-of-productivity-indicators-2025_b024d9e1-en/full-report/productivity-in-a-shifting-geopolitical-and-economic-landscape_7b0e7702.html --- Join the Luxembourg Expats community luxembourgexpats.lu

For many, alcohol is part of daily life — a glass of wine after work, a beer at a meetup, or cocktails on a Friday night. But what happens if you stop drinking entirely, even for a short time? Whether you're taking a break for health, discipline, mental clarity, or just out of curiosity, your body and brain start changing the moment you put down the glass. Here’s what the research and medical experts say: Within Hours to Days Better Sleep: Even small amounts of alcohol can disrupt your REM cycle. Without it, your sleep becomes more restorative. Hydration Improves: Alcohol is a diuretic. Removing it helps your body retain fluid, improving skin and reducing fatigue. Heart Rate Normalises: Your resting heart rate can drop within 24–72 hours. After One Week Sharper Mental Focus: Alcohol fogs short-term memory and slows cognitive processing. Within a week, people often report clearer thinking and more energy. Mood Stabilises: You may feel less anxious or irritable — a sign of your nervous system recalibrating. After One Month Liver Recovery: The liver begins repairing inflammation and reducing fat accumulation — even in heavy drinkers. Weight Loss May Start: If you were consuming sugary wines or cocktails, you’re cutting significant empty calories. Blood Pressure Drops: Even moderate drinkers can see a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Long-Term Benefits Cancer Risk Reduces: Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term abstinence lowers your risk of oral, liver, and breast cancers. Lower Risk of Diabetes: Insulin sensitivity improves with abstinence. Better Gut Health: Alcohol disrupts your gut microbiome — the balance begins to restore after sustained sobriety. What About “Moderate” Drinking? While moderate drinking — defined as up to one drink per day for women and two for men — is considered low-risk, many studies now suggest even light alcohol use carries some health costs, especially over time. For those living far from home, in high-stress jobs or social circles where alcohol is normalized, a short break (like Sober October or Dry January) can offer insights into your relationship with drinking — and how it’s affecting your body and mind. Whether you stop drinking for a week, a month, or for good, your body notices. And it doesn’t take long to start feeling the benefits - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Join the Luxembourg Expats communtiy luxembourgexpats.lu