On Monday morning, as schools reopened after the summer break, around a hundred demonstrators gathered outside the Chamber of Deputies in Luxembourg City. Despite the rain, the group — made up largely of women from political and social associations — raised their voices to demand that the right to abortion be enshrined in the Constitution. The demonstration, organized by Family Planning, coincided with ongoing committee discussions on a bill introduced by déi Lénk deputy Marc Baum. The proposal, which aims to formally safeguard the right to abortion (voluntary termination of pregnancy), has already received a favorable opinion from the Council of State. Fatima Rougi, president of Planned Parenthood, emphasized the importance of constitutional protection: "Including the right to abortion in the Constitution is very important to protect it from any political change or rise of extremes." She noted that while Luxembourg may appear broadly supportive, opposition voices still emerge whenever the issue is raised. The recent reversal of abortion rights in the United States has heightened concerns about the fragility of such protections. Marc Baum, addressing the crowd before entering the committee meeting, expressed hope that the bill would gain traction: “I will present the eight opinions and await the exchange with the other deputies. Many, including from the majority, have already voiced their support.” This optimism was echoed by LSAP MP Taina Bofferding, who stressed that Parliament ultimately holds the decision-making power: “I think we have a majority.” While abortion remains legal in Luxembourg, the debate highlights a lack of full consensus on the issue — a reminder that rights once thought secure may still require active defense. Read More : Des manifestants réclament l'inscription du droit à l'IVG dans la Constitution - L'essentiel Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu  

Police in northern Luxembourg have arrested two individuals linked to the theft of multiple construction machines over the weekend. The case began early Sunday when authorities received a report of a missing mini-excavator from a construction site in Wahlhausen. Shortly after, investigations revealed that a second mini-excavator and a trailer had also vanished from the area. Thanks to GPS tracking technology installed on one of the stolen machines, officers were able to trace its location. The suspects were subsequently identified in Hosingen, where police intervened and made the arrests. Both individuals were presented before an examining magistrate on Monday morning. While thefts from construction sites are not new in Luxembourg, police stress that GPS tracking systems have proven increasingly effective in recovering stolen heavy machinery and deterring organised theft networks. Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu 

The municipality of Strassen has been forced to deliver bottled water to its schools and sports hall after bacterial contamination was detected in the local drinking water network, affecting around 10,500 residents. The issue emerged after last week’s torrential rains, which caused rainwater to infiltrate one of the town’s springs. Contaminated Water Tanks On Friday, routine testing revealed the presence of E. coli and enterococci bacteria in two storage tanks (1,000 and 2,000 litres) that help supply the municipality. While residents were told the water remains safe for showering, officials advised against drinking it, brushing teeth with it, or using it for raw food preparation unless boiled first. Some locals reported stomach aches on social media, though the municipality stressed that symptoms linked to this type of contamination are usually limited to mild stomach issues and diarrhoea, and no serious cases have been confirmed. Measures Taken Municipal staff acted immediately, cutting off supply from the contaminated spring, which had been feeding into the town’s reservoirs alongside water from the Esch-sur-Sûre Dam via the Central Water Syndicate (SEC). The source will remain offline until it is fully cleaned, treated, and secured. New samples were taken on Monday, with results expected mid-week. To ensure pupils returned safely to classrooms on Monday, the municipality delivered over 300 lockers of bottled water across five schools and the sports hall. Pallets of bottles have also been distributed to other drop-in centres. Cause and Context Officials believe the contamination likely came from game feces washed into the water system during the downpour. Technical services note that while the incident is rare, it is not unprecedented: similar contamination has occurred three or four times in the past 20 years. Importantly, Strassen manages its own water supply network and does not share it with neighbouring municipalities, meaning there is no risk of cross-contamination. Communication Efforts The municipality says it used every available channel to inform residents, including local press, official websites, SMS alerts, neighbourhood networks, and LED display boards. While restrictions remain in place, Strassen officials hope they can be lifted soon, once new test results confirm that the water is safe. Read More : Strassen delivers bottled water to schools in the face of network contamination - The essentials Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxembourg is stepping up its role in the new era of “space factories,” supporting Space Cargo Unlimited in Foetz to build Europe’s first orbital manufacturing hub. With EU funding and strong national backing, the project aims to produce advanced pharmaceuticals, fibre optics, and high-performance electronics in zero gravity. Why Space? Microgravity allows the creation of purer, more efficient products than is possible on Earth. Fibre optics, for instance, can be up to 200 times more effective when made in orbit, with fewer impurities and far better performance. The Bento Box At the heart of the venture is the “Bento Box,” a compact module that can carry up to 100kg of material. Scheduled for upcoming SpaceX launches, it will enable experiments and the return of finished products such as ultra-pure fibre optics. Focus on Pharmaceuticals Of the 80+ projects underway, about 40% are linked to the pharma sector. Luxembourg start-ups like ExoBiosphere are among those testing innovations, alongside companies working on advanced fibre optics (Flowless Photonics) and electronic equipment. Funding & Jobs The project is receiving €12.5 million from the European Innovation Council, contributing to the €27.5 million raised so far. Luxembourg’s Economy Minister, Lex Delles, emphasized that the initiative will create more than 30 jobs in the country while strengthening its growing space ecosystem. From science fiction to industrial reality, Luxembourg is positioning itself at the core of Europe’s space manufacturing revolution. Luxembourg Space Agency   Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app SignUp Free: luxembourgexpats.lu

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