Stories

Luxembourg Expats has launched Elso, an AI buddy for life in Luxembourg - built directly into the platform to make expat life in Luxembourg easier, more connected and intuitive. Living in a foreign country is exciting. It can also feel unfamiliar at times. Building a social circle, finding a flat, understanding how things work, navigating paperwork, adjusting to new systems, knowing what’s happening this weekend - it can all be challenging. And often, you’re figuring it out on your own. Your Everyday Buddy in Luxembourg Elso is designed to feel natural to talk to. You don’t need to navigate menus or search through multiple sections. You can simply start a conversation. Ask about apartments in Kirchberg. Discuss practical questions about working life. Find out what events are happening this week and who shares your interests. Or just talk about how you’re finding life in Luxembourg so far. Elso pulls from what’s already featured on Luxembourg Expats - real housing listings, upcoming meetups, active community discussions and expat-friendly local services - and surfaces what’s relevant to you directly within the conversation. Whether you’re looking for a tax advisor, an insurance agent, a loan offer, a language school or other trusted services, Elso helps you discover businesses that are already featured in the Luxembourg Expats community. When You’re Navigating Things on Your Own Moving to and living in a new country often means handling a lot independently. New systems. New rules. New routines. Even small things - opening a bank account, understanding local processes, choosing the right neighbourhood, or deciding which event to attend - can feel convoluted when you don’t yet have a network around you. Elso offers a simple way to explore your options without pressure. It can help you understand what’s available, point you toward relevant discussions, or highlight services and events that might suit your situation. It can be practical. It can be conversational. It can help you with information and suggest meeting people for social activities. For Every Stage of Expat Life Whether you’ve just arrived in Luxembourg or have lived here for years, Elso can be your everyday buddy. The goal isn’t just efficiency. It’s making life in Luxembourg feel more manageable and more connected. Less time searching. More time living. Built on 13 Years of Community Luxembourg Expats has been enhancing the expat experience since 2012, connecting tens of thousands of internationals. Elso builds on that foundation by adding a conversational buddy to a platform that already brings together people, housing, discussions, events and expat-friendly businesses - making it easier to access the collective knowledge, services and opportunities within Luxembourg’s expat network. Available Now Elso is live in early beta at www.luxembourgexpats.lu, with the mobile app experience coming soon. Free access includes daily usage. Unlimited access is part of the LuxExpats Club membership luxembourgexpats.lu/club-membership Early users will help shape how Elso evolves. If you live in Luxembourg - or are planning a move - now is a good time to Elso it. --- Join our community luxembourgexpats.lu

Health authorities have marked Rare Disease Day by drawing attention to the challenges faced by people living with uncommon medical conditions. Officials stressed the importance of early diagnosis, research funding, and coordinated patient support. Although each rare disease affects a limited number of individuals, experts note that millions worldwide are collectively impacted. Many patients experience delays in diagnosis due to limited awareness and specialized expertise. The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to improving national strategies for rare disease management. This includes strengthening cooperation between hospitals, research institutions, and international networks. Awareness campaigns are being promoted to encourage better understanding and reduce social isolation for affected families. Advocacy groups also continue to call for expanded access to innovative treatments. Authorities say ongoing research and European collaboration remain key priorities for improving patient outcomes. Read more: m3s.gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+02-fevrier+27-maladies-rares.html Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network. 

The speed limit on part of the A6 motorway will remain reduced following a serious accident earlier this week. The incident involved a heavy truck that struck the central barrier, causing significant infrastructure damage and temporary traffic disruption. The affected stretch near Strassen was partially closed while emergency teams cleared debris and secured the area. Although traffic has resumed, temporary safety installations are still in place. Transport authorities confirmed that the 90 km/h speed restriction will continue until permanent repair work is completed. The measure is intended to ensure driver safety while engineers assess structural damage. Road safety officials reminded motorists to respect temporary signage and adapt their driving to current road conditions. Additional monitoring may be conducted in the coming days. Full repairs are expected once technical evaluations are finalized. Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/02-fevrier/27-securite-a6.html ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network. 

Luxembourg’s leaders have expressed serious concern over the worsening conflict in the Middle East, calling for restraint and diplomatic solutions. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Luxembourg stressed the importance of protecting civilians and preventing further escalation. Government representatives held discussions to assess the potential impact on regional stability and on Luxembourg nationals living or travelling abroad. They emphasized the need for coordinated action with European partners. Officials reiterated Luxembourg’s commitment to international law and peaceful dialogue. They underlined that lasting security can only be achieved through negotiation rather than military confrontation. The statement also highlighted ongoing cooperation within the European Union to respond collectively to emerging risks. Diplomatic channels remain active as leaders monitor developments closely. Authorities confirmed they are prepared to take additional measures if the situation worsens. Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/02-fevrier/27-mifa-cvc.html ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network. 

The government of Luxembourg has issued a fresh travel warning advising citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Middle East due to rising regional tensions. Officials say the security situation remains unpredictable, with possible disruptions to flights and local transport in several countries. According to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the warning follows escalating military developments that could quickly affect civilian safety. Travellers already in the region are urged to stay informed through reliable news sources and follow instructions from local authorities. Authorities have also recommended that Luxembourgers abroad register their stay through the government’s travel registration system to allow quicker contact in case of emergency. Keeping travel documents updated and monitoring airline announcements has been strongly advised. Several European countries have issued similar alerts, reflecting broader international concern about instability and the risk of sudden escalation. Airports in certain areas have already reported temporary closures or delays. The government says it will continue monitoring developments closely and update its guidance  Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites.gouv2024_maee+fr+actualites+communiques+2026+26-avis-voyage-moyen-orient1.html ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network. 

A recent study has found that Luxembourg is now the cheapest country in Europe for car ownership when comparing total first-year costs to average salary. The research analysed expenses such as fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes and the depreciation of vehicles. In Luxembourg, the total cost of owning a car in the first year amounts to around 18.66% of the average annual income — lower than in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Austria and Denmark. This strong position reflects a balance between income levels and ownership costs. Switzerland and Norway remain relatively affordable due to high average salaries, even though vehicle prices and running costs are high. Iceland and Austria also make the top five, with affordability influenced by income and pricing structures. The study shows that affordable car ownership depends on both the total costs and how much of a person’s income those costs take up, rather than just vehicle prices. Countries with strong income levels tend to perform better in overall affordability. This ranking matters as more than half of Europeans now own vehicles, making cost comparisons important for households considering mobility, taxes and lifestyle choices. Read more: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/luxembourg-overtakes-switzerland-norway-iceland-austria-denmark-as-the-cheapest-countries-in-europe-for-car-ownership-new-update-is-here/ ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at www.luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.

Luxembourg hosted the TechTalks4Girls event to inspire young people, especially girls, to explore careers in technology, digital fields and STEM subjects. Students aged 14–19 were invited to meet professionals and learn about real career paths in these growing sectors.  The event took place at Kinepolis Kirchberg and was supported by government ministries focused on gender equality, digitalisation and education. It aimed to show students what jobs in tech look like and to break down gender stereotypes that can discourage girls from pursuing technology careers.  Ministers opening the event highlighted the importance of increasing female representation in ICT and related fields, noting that seeing women in tech roles can boost confidence and interest among young girls.  Several women professionals shared short, inspiring stories about their work, challenges they faced and how they built their careers. This gave students a chance to ask questions and interact directly with role models working in digital and tech industries.  The event also offered a relaxed setting for discussions and learning, emphasising that digital careers are varied, creative and within reach for all young people.  Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/02-fevrier/26-margue-backes-techtalks4girls.html  ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network. 

Luxembourg’s government has released the Retail Report 2026, showing major changes in the country’s shopping and service landscape. The total retail floor space in the Grand Duchy reached about 1.09 million m² by late 2025, but because the population has grown, retail space per person has dropped to just 1.58 m² — the lowest on record. Some traditional retail formats are shrinking while others grow. Food-related retail continues to expand, with about 110 new outlets since 2019 and a strong rise in hard-discount stores and international food shops. This reflects changing customer preferences and Luxembourg’s increasingly diverse population. On the other hand, sectors like fashion and home furnishing stores have declined. The hospitality and restaurant sector shows uneven growth: while fast-food outlets have grown significantly, classic cafés and bars have seen a drop in numbers. This shows how urban consumer habits are shifting. City centres are also changing. Traditional shops represent a smaller share of city-centre activity, making way for services, dining options and creative concepts like pop-up stores. Vacancy rates have eased somewhat, suggesting stabilization after a period of adjustment. Officials say the report will help guide policy and business strategies, emphasizing support for digital transformation, flexible retail concepts, and targeted help for small and medium-sized enterprises to adapt to changing trends. Read more: gouvernement.lu/en/gouvernement/delles-lex/actualites.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+02-fevrier+23-delles-retail-report.html ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.

Luxembourg has launched its first national Connectivity Report, providing a detailed look at the country’s telecommunications and digital infrastructure. The report was presented at an event in Luxembourg City attended by government officials, tech leaders, and industry experts.  The study shows that Luxembourg has excellent network coverage, with high-capacity fixed networks across over 95% of the country and 5G available to 99% of households, highlighting its strong digital foundation.  It also outlines key parts of the telecom ecosystem, such as education and workforce skills, domestic and international connectivity links, and cutting-edge research in areas like quantum communications.  Officials say the report will serve as a strategic tool to support ongoing investments, collaboration between public and private sectors, and Luxembourg’s role as a European digital hub.  By compiling data and future priorities, the report aims to help policymakers, investors, and industry players shape Luxembourg’s digital landscape for years to come. 👉 Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/02-fevrier/25-margue-luxembourg-connectivity-report.html Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg.Sign up free at www.luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.  

Luxembourg’s Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) is urging the public to avoid bringing pets into the country if their health status is unknown or documentation isn’t complete, after a case of rabies was confirmed in a puppy in neighboring Germany.  Although Luxembourg has been rabies-free since 2001, ALVA warns that importing animals without required checks could risk reintroducing the deadly virus to both people and animals.  The administration emphasizes that pets like dogs and cats should have a microchip, valid vaccination, and proper health certificates before entering the country. In some cases, a lab-verified rabies antibody test may also be needed.  People are encouraged to adopt pets from local, recognized shelters or licensed breeders and to contact a veterinarian promptly after arrival to confirm their pet’s health and paperwork.  ALVA’s appeal is a precaution to help keep Luxembourg’s citizens and animals safe from contagious diseases.  👉 Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/02-fevrier/23-alva-animaux-compagnie.html Join Luxembourg Expats, the #1 homegrown community for expats in Luxembourg. Connect with people and businesses locally - discover expats focused local services, buy and sell items, find housing and apartment rentals and buys, events, discounts and meet people to make friends - all in one expats companion app in Luxembourg. Sign up free at luxembourgexpats.lu and become part of Luxembourg’s trusted expats network.