Luxembourg City has revealed plans for a large modern sports complex to replace the historic Josy Barthel Stadium. The project will be located in the Hamm district and includes an international-standard athletics stadium and training facilities. Additional features include a multi-sports hall, green public spaces, and improved infrastructure for athletes and visitors. The development will focus on sustainability, with eco-friendly construction methods and energy-efficient systems. Construction is planned in phases between 2026 and 2029, aiming to boost sports and community life in the capital. Read more: https://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/story/projet-le-futur-grand-site-sportif-de-luxembourg-ville-se-devoile-103473052 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.

Belgium and Luxembourg successfully tested a new cross-border alert plan during a joint police exercise on 17 December 2025. The drill simulated a serious crime where suspects crossed the border several times, requiring fast coordination between police forces. Authorities practiced setting up a virtual security ring, allowing officers to react quickly to major incidents such as terrorism or organised crime. The alert plan was signed in May 2024 and officially became operational in July 2025, improving communication between both countries. Officials say the test proved the system works and strengthens public safety on both sides of the border. Read more: https://www.visahq.com/news/2025-12-18/be/belgium-and-luxembourg-drill-new-cross-border-alert-plan/ 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.  

Health authorities in Luxembourg reported a strong rise in respiratory infections during the second week of December 2025. Influenza cases showed the sharpest increase. Laboratory data revealed that flu cases rose by more than 50%, mainly caused by influenza A. Children and teenagers were the most affected age groups. Cases of RSV also increased, particularly among young children. Hospitals are monitoring the situation closely as winter illnesses spread. At the same time, COVID-19 infections went up, supported by higher virus levels detected in wastewater monitoring systems. Officials are encouraging vaccination, good hygiene, and caution in crowded spaces to reduce further spread. Read more: https://cad.gouvernement.lu/en/actualites.gouvernement2024%2Bfr%2Bactualites%2Btoutes_actualites%2Bcommuniques%2B2025%2B12-decembre%2B18-infections-respiratoires.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 Prime Minister Luc Frieden took part in the European Council meeting held in Brussels from 17 to 19 December 2025. The summit brought together EU leaders to discuss major political and economic matters. One of the main topics was continued support for Ukraine, along with Europe’s role in global security and diplomacy. Leaders also exchanged views on current international conflicts. Economic stability and the future of the EU budget were also high on the agenda. Discussions focused on competitiveness, growth, and protecting European interests. During the visit, Frieden also represented the Benelux countries at a meeting with leaders from the Western Balkans, stressing cooperation and regional stability. The meetings aimed to strengthen unity within the EU while preparing for future challenges facing Europe. Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2025/12-decembre/17-frieden-conseil.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 approved adjustments to the country’s pension system, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, as part of efforts to secure long-term financial stability. The changes aim to balance pension finances up to 2042 and preserve reserve funds until 2050. Key elements include gradually aligning the actual retirement age with the legal age of 65, as many currently retire earlier, and increasing the total contribution rate from 24% to 25.5% to strengthen the system’s resources. Other reforms being discussed involve flexible recognition of study years and a phased approach to pension contributions and entitlements, giving workers more clarity on long-term planning. These measures come after broad public consultation under the “Schwätz mat!” initiative, which sought input from citizens, experts, and stakeholders on how to adapt the pension structure responsibly. Read more: https://m3s.gouvernement.lu/en/campagnes/lancement-schwatzmat-systeme-retraite1.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.

A European Under-21 football qualifying match between France and Luxembourg was postponed after the Luxembourg U21 team’s bus was involved in a traffic accident in Brittany, France. The vehicle reportedly left the road after the driver became unwell, leaving the team shaken.  Several players, staff members, and the driver suffered minor injuries, and emergency services helped transport those affected to local medical facilities. Because of this, UEFA agreed to delay the match.  Originally scheduled in Lorient as part of the Euro U21 2027 qualifiers, the game has now been pushed back to October 3, 2026, giving the team time to recover from the shock and ensure everyone’s safety.  Both football federations expressed their support for the Luxembourg squad and praised the quick response from first responders on the scene. Read more: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/france-vs-luxembourg-u21-football-match-postponed-why-reason-bus-crash-injuries-news/article70015952.ece 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 Prime Minister Luc Frieden has urged European leaders to ensure Ukraine has the resources needed to continue its defence against Russia’s invasion. Speaking ahead of a key European Council meeting, he emphasised that borders cannot be changed by force and that the EU must provide means to help Ukraine withstand the war.  Frieden outlined that EU leaders are exploring ways to finance Ukraine beyond the current plan, which includes about €90 billion in support through 2026. Options being discussed include using frozen Russian assets in a zero-interest loan or EU joint borrowing, similar to pandemic-era financing.  He said there are two main options on the table and stressed the need for unity among EU states, especially if future support from partners like the United States becomes uncertain.  The broader discussions come as the EU seeks to balance defence, economic, and political strategies in the face of ongoing conflict in Ukraine.  Read more: https://au.news.yahoo.com/ukraine-means-survive-war-luxembourg-081347082.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.  

Amazon has announced one of its largest job reductions at its European headquarters in Luxembourg, cutting about 370 roles, roughly 8.5% of its workforce — the biggest layoffs in the country in roughly 20 years. The move is part of Amazon’s global restructuring and push toward new business priorities like artificial intelligence.  Many affected employees are foreign workers from countries such as India, the US, Australia, Egypt, and Tunisia. These workers face extra pressure because Luxembourg rules generally give them only about three months to find a new job if they lose their current one, or they may have to leave the country. The layoffs were slightly reduced from an earlier plan of 470 cuts after negotiations under EU labour laws, but the decision still sparked concern among workers and unions. Amazon says the changes reflect business needs and local strategy, and that severance packages go “well beyond industry benchmarks,” but unions have criticised the move, noting the company’s favourable tax setup in Luxembourg.  Read more: livemint.com/companies/news/amazon-layoffs-8-5-pc-370-employees-cut-tech-hub-luxembourg-how-indian-foreign-workers-difficult-question-why-job-market-11766109934352.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 City, often thought of as calm and orderly, comes alive in December with festive cheer and twinkling lights that warm the winter air. The annual Winterlights Festival turns the capital into a glowing celebration spread across the city’s streets and squares, where tastefully decorated Christmas markets and friendly stalls offer local crafts, seasonal foods, and lively holiday spirit without the crowds found in bigger European capitals.  Visitors strolling through markets at Place d’Armes, Place de la Constitution, and Place de Paris will find traditional seasonal treats like Luxembourger specialties, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and Gromperekichelcher potato cakes, all enjoyed with warm drinks by outdoor heaters that add to the cozy atmosphere.  Unlike larger Christmas fairs, Luxembourg’s festive scene is thoughtfully spread out across multiple areas, making it easy to wander between illuminated chalets and enjoy panoramic views of the city without feeling rushed. The free public transport in the capital also helps guests hop between different market zones at their own pace. Beyond food and gifts, the Winterlights Festival includes activities like ice-skating, live music, cultural exhibitions, and light displays that bring families and friends together in a relaxed and joyful celebration of the season.  For those seeking a festive European getaway with charm, tradition, and space to enjoy the season’s simple pleasures, Luxembourg’s Christmas markets offer a magical and welcoming experience that invites visitors to slow down and savor the season.  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 United Kingdom has agreed to rejoin the European Union’s well-known Erasmus student exchange programme starting in January 2027, a significant step after leaving the scheme following Brexit. Under this new deal, British students will once again be able to study, train or do work placements in EU countries without additional foreign fees, just like before the UK exited the programme in 2020.  The government said the UK will contribute around £570 million for its first year of participation, which has been negotiated at a discount compared with earlier terms. The return to Erasmus is expected to benefit more than 100,000 people, including university students, apprentices, adult learners and educators.  Rejoining the scheme is seen as part of broader efforts by the UK government to strengthen ties with the EU after years of post-Brexit negotiations. Leaders from both sides have described the deal as a positive step for young people and international cooperation in education and training.  Supporters say this move opens up valuable cultural and career-building opportunities for a new generation of UK students, while critics have raised concerns about the cost and whether it represents a step back toward closer EU alignment.  👉 Read more: bbc.com/news/live/c4g654qgl83t?at_link_id=3906B154-DB2E-11F0-B78E-AF17F865F583 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.