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Luxembourg Introduces New Defence Bond

Luxembourg has launched a new government investment product known as the Defence Bond, allowing citizens and investors to support national security projects while earning a guaranteed return. Subscriptions opened on 15 January 2026 and will remain available until 30 January, or until the maximum amount of €150 million is reached. The bond has a three-year maturity and is backed by the country’s strong AAA credit rating. The Defence Bond offers a fixed interest rate and provides tax-free interest income for resident investors, making it attractive to the public. Funds raised through this bond will be used to finance defence and security initiatives in line with Luxembourg’s strategic commitments and international responsibilities. The initiative gives individuals a direct way to contribute to national defence while making a secure investment. Read more: https://gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/agenda.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+01-janvier+15-defence-bond.html?referrer=grok.com ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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.  

News

Government Urges Smart Use of Emergency Services

Luxembourg’s health authorities are calling on residents to use emergency services responsibly during the winter season. Hospitals and emergency departments often face heavy pressure during periods of high seasonal illness. The Ministry of Health recommends that people with non-urgent medical issues first contact their general practitioner, paediatrician, or a medical centre. This helps ensure that emergency teams remain available for serious and life-threatening cases. The government also shared practical advice to reduce winter illnesses, including good hand hygiene, regular ventilation of indoor spaces, and staying up to date with vaccinations. By choosing the right healthcare service, patients can receive appropriate care more quickly while supporting the overall healthcare system. Officials stress that responsible use of medical services benefits both patients and frontline healthcare workers. Read more: gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/01-janvier/14-services-urgence.html?referrer=grok.com ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 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

Luxembourg Expands Humanitarian Aid Worldwide

Luxembourg has stepped up its international humanitarian efforts following several major natural disasters that occurred at the end of 2025. The government provided emergency funding, relief supplies, and logistical support to help countries affected by hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and floods. In the Caribbean, Luxembourg responded to Hurricane Melissa by sending generators and emergency shelters through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Financial support was also granted to the Red Cross to assist Jamaica, while additional aid was directed toward Haiti and Cuba to help vulnerable communities. Southeast Asia also received swift support after Typhoon Kalmaegi hit Vietnam. Luxembourg was among the first countries to deliver tents, kitchen kits, and essential equipment. The Philippines benefited from emergency funding following a powerful earthquake, helping local authorities support displaced families. Further assistance was extended to Indonesia and Sri Lanka after severe cyclones caused widespread damage. Luxembourg combined financial contributions with material aid to address urgent humanitarian needs on the ground. These actions reflect Luxembourg’s strong commitment to international solidarity and rapid response in times of global crisis. Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/agenda.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+01-janvier+14-aide-humanitaire.html?referrer=grok.com ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 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

Major Roadworks Close Rue de la Déportation This Weekend

The City of Luxembourg has announced that important roadworks will take place on Rue de la Déportation in the Gasperich district from Friday evening, 16 January to early Monday, 19 January 2026. This work, aimed at upgrading infrastructure along this busy street, will require the road to be completely closed to all traffic between Route d’Esch and Rue de la Fonderie during the closure period. The closure will begin at 19:00 on Friday and continue until 05:00 on Monday, with the city’s Traffic Department ensuring that proper signage and detour routes are in place to guide drivers around the affected area. Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes in advance to avoid congestion. Public transport will also be affected: Bus line 18 will be diverted via Rue de Hollerich during the works. Key stops — “Alsace,” “Lascombes” and “Hollerich-Gare” — will be temporarily suspended in the direction of Kockelscheuer. These will be replaced by the “Fonderie” and “Aciérie” stops at Quais 1 and 2, plus a temporary stop on Route d’Esch near numbers 178–188. The city has stressed that road users should follow the temporary signage closely and allow extra travel time. Residents and commuters alike are encouraged to check local traffic updates before travelling to stay informed about changes during the weekend. The works are part of Luxembourg City’s ongoing efforts to maintain and improve urban infrastructure and public services, ensuring safer and more efficient transport routes for all users. Read more: https://www.vdl.lu/en/news/roadworks-rue-de-la-deportation-16-19-january-2026?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-en-15012026 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 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

Over 8,200 People Gained Luxembourg Citizenship in 2025

Luxembourg granted 8,223 people citizenship during 2025, according to figures released by the Ministry of Justice on 14 January 2026. This total includes individuals who acquired nationality through three main routes: option, naturalisation, and recouvrement (restoring citizenship through ancestral ties). The majority — 6,544 people — became citizens through the option procedure, which is generally simpler and available to long-term residents under specific conditions. 1,298 gained nationality via naturalisation, a process involving residency and integration requirements. 381 individuals restored citizenship through recouvrement based on descent from ancestors who were Luxembourgish on 1 January 1900. The deadline for recouvrement declarations closed on 31 December 2025, but applications submitted by that date will continue to be processed through 2026, meaning final totals might shift slightly. These figures align with long-term demographic trends in Luxembourg, where migration has strongly influenced population growth and cultural diversity. A separate demographic report noted that tens of thousands of migrants contributed to population increases in recent years. The citizenship updates reflect Luxembourg’s evolving identity and efforts to integrate long-term residents into society, with ongoing attention to eligibility and integration requirements. Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/agenda.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+01-janvier+14-nationalite-lux.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.

Health & Fitness

Tumor is a Top Cause of Death in Luxembourg, Public Health Data Shows

New statistics released by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Health show that in 2024, tumours (cancers) became the leading cause of death, overtaking diseases of the circulatory system. The registry recorded 4,308 deaths in 2024, about 50 more than in the previous year, with cancer accounting for the largest share.  Of those deaths due to tumours, lung cancer was most common among men, while breast cancer was the leading cause among women. This shift highlights ongoing public health challenges and the importance of targeted cancer prevention and treatment efforts.  Diseases of the circulatory system, including heart disease and strokes, remained the second most frequent cause of death, reinforcing the need for continued cardiovascular health initiatives. Data also recorded other causes, such as respiratory illnesses and external factors.  According to the health authorities, these statistics will help inform national strategies in healthcare planning, early detection programmes, and resource allocation to address the disease burden.  The shift in leading causes reflects broader demographic and lifestyle trends, and policymakers say strengthening screening and public awareness remains a priority.  Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2026/01-janvier/12-statistiques-causes-deces.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

Survey Finds Many Luxembourgers Don’t Know Their Consumer Rights

A new government survey released on 14 January 2026 has found that many people in Luxembourg are not fully aware of their consumer rights, despite most complaints to businesses resulting in satisfactory outcomes. Minister Martine Hansen presented the findings, which were compiled by the Consumer Protection Directorate with support from Euroconsumers.  The survey reveals that while around two-thirds of consumers who lodge complaints get good resolutions, a large portion lack basic knowledge of key rights — particularly in areas like online shopping, warranties, and travel services.  For example, roughly **80 % of respondents did not know the legal 30-day delivery timeframe, and nearly **half were unaware of the 14-day right to cancel online purchases. Additionally, just over half understood that flight delays of more than three hours can qualify for compensation.  These gaps, Hansen said, can lead consumers to make unnecessary efforts or have unrealistic expectations when resolving problems. To address this, the government has launched a public communication campaign focused on explaining consumer protections in simple terms, especially to younger people whose awareness appears lowest. The initiative also highlights support from organisations like the Luxembourg Consumer Union and European Consumer Centre, which can assist consumers in disputes with local or EU companies.  Read more: gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/agenda.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+01-janvier+14-hansen-enquete.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. 

News

🇱🇺 “Moving Languages” Aims to Boost Luxembourgish and French Skills

Luxembourg’s Ministry of Education has introduced “Moving Languages”, a new immersive language-learning programme designed to help adults quickly gain practical speaking ability in Luxembourgish and French. Minister Claude Meisch and INLL director Maisy Gorza unveiled the approach on 14 January 2026, saying it was created in response to strong demand for effective language learning in the multilingual country.  The course draws on the LieLa method from Liechtenstein, a technique emphasizing movement and sensory engagement to reinforce learning. Over eight weeks, participants attend about 15 hours of classes per week, with all instruction delivered in the target language from day one to strengthen oral comprehension and speaking confidence.  Since pilot sessions began in early 2025, the programme has grown rapidly. Officially added to the National Institute of Languages’ offerings in September 2025, autumn sessions quickly filled all available places, underlining the need for innovative language options. In addition to general adult learners, the approach is now being used to help refugees and international protection applicants improve French language skills as part of their integration process, with up to 180 learners enrolled in the current school year.  Looking ahead, the government plans to train more instructors in the method and expand the programme further, aiming to make language mastery more accessible throughout Luxembourg. Read more: https://gouvernement.lu/en/gouvernement/claude-meisch/actualites.gouvernement2024+fr+actualites+toutes_actualites+communiques+2026+01-janvier+14-meisch-moving-languages.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.  

News

Luxembourg Moves to Crack Down on Illegal Gambling Machines

Luxembourg’s government has introduced a new draft bill aimed at giving authorities stronger powers to seize illegal gambling terminals operating in bars and other public places. The legislation, presented to the Parliamentary Justice Committee, targets unlicensed machines that often appear as internet kiosks but are used for gambling, raising concerns about their accessibility to minors and lack of regulation. Under the proposed rules, enforcement agencies would have a clearer legal path to confiscate these unauthorized devices, and bar owners who host them could face tougher penalties. Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue told lawmakers that the bill refines key legal definitions so that only games approved by the Luxembourg National Lottery can be offered.  To help businesses adjust, the draft includes a three-month transition period for compliance, while allowing some exceptions for traditional activities such as village raffles even when minors are present.  The move is part of a broader effort to overhaul Luxembourg’s gambling laws, with a second phase expected to focus on regulating online gambling. Margue has previously said the government is considering licensing the country’s sole land-based casino to operate online gaming, though questions about enforcement and technology like geo-blocking remain under review.  Read more – https://focusgn.com/proposed-legislation-grants-more-powers-to-seize-illegal-gaming-terminals-in-luxembourg   ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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 & Fitness

Luxembourg’s Health Profile: Strong System With Growing Pressures

A new “Country Health Profile 2025” report released this week highlights the strengths and challenges of Luxembourg’s healthcare system. Produced in collaboration with the European Commission, OECD and European health observatories, the profile shows that Luxembourg performs well on key health outcomes and access to care, with high life expectancy and strong public coverage. In 2024, Luxemburgers enjoyed a life expectancy around 83.5 years, notably above the EU average, and access to quality healthcare services remains broadly high. The report acknowledges solid treatment outcomes and low rates of unmet medical needs, underscoring efficient service delivery. However, the profile also flags areas of concern. Healthcare spending per person and the share financed by public funds are among the highest in Europe, placing pressure on national budgets. Luxembourg also records relatively high rates of avoidable hospitalisations for chronic diseases, suggesting more work is needed on preventive care and integrated services. Challenges around workforce capacity were noted: while nurse density is strong, the number of practicing doctors per 1,000 inhabitants remains slightly below EU averages, which could affect long-term resilience as the population ages. The health profile aims to inform policymakers on how best to balance high service quality with sustainability, prevention, and efficiency improvements going forward. Read more: https://gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/.../2026+01-janvier+13-country-health-profile.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.

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