Countries across the world are updating minimum salary and wage rules as part of broader efforts to protect workers from rising living costs. Several governments have announced increases that will take effect in 2026, reflecting inflation trends and labour market pressures. In Luxembourg, the minimum social wage has been adjusted in line with its indexation system, keeping it among the highest minimum wages globally. The country continues to link salary levels to cost-of-living changes, ensuring that workers’ purchasing power is protected as prices rise. Other nations are also making notable changes. Several U.S. states are increasing minimum wages from January 1, while countries in Europe and the Middle East have announced higher salary thresholds for both local and foreign workers. These updates affect employment contracts, visa eligibility, and payroll compliance. Globally, governments are focusing on balancing business sustainability with fair income standards. The changes signal a continued shift toward stronger wage protections, particularly in high-cost economies. Read more: fragomen.com/insights/minimum-salary-changes-announced.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. 

When measuring prosperity by GDP per capita, smaller and highly specialised countries dominate the wealth rankings, pushing larger economies like the United States lower on the list. At the top is Luxembourg, a tiny financial powerhouse with per capita GDP far exceeding that of many larger nations.  Ireland also ranks high due to major technology companies and favourable corporate policies that attract global business. Singapore, with its strategic location and thriving trade and finance sectors, continues to post exceptionally high per capita economic figures.  Other countries in the ranking include Qatar and the UAE, which benefit from vast energy resources and investment in diversified economies, and Switzerland with its strong banking and high-value industries. Together, these nations show that economic output relative to population size can create surprising leaders in global wealth charts.  In contrast, the U.S. — though the largest economy in absolute terms — ranks lower in per-person wealth due to its large population. This highlights how small population size combined with strong economic performance can produce impressive per capita results.  Read more: travelbinger.com/the-6-wealthiest-countries-per-capita-hint-its-not-the-u-s 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. 

Denmark has officially delivered its last traditional letter as its national postal service, PostNord, ends more than four centuries of letter delivery in the country. The decision, driven by a sharp fall in physical mail usage, marks Denmark as the first nation to completely stop public letter delivery as digital communication becomes dominant. Since 2000, the volume of letters has dropped by over 90%, making the service financially unsustainable for the state-run operator.  The historic service, which traced its roots back to the early 1600s, will now focus solely on parcel deliveries as e-commerce continues to grow. Around 1,500 traditional red mailboxes have been removed from Danish streets, and about 1,500 postal jobs are expected to be cut as part of the shift.  For Danes who still wish to send letters, private company Dao is expanding its operations. From January 2026, Dao will handle most letter deliveries, though customers must drop off mail at Dao locations or use its app to buy postage.  The move reflects broader global trends as more countries grapple with the decline of paper mail, but Denmark’s full exit from public letter delivery is unprecedented.  Read more: edition.cnn.com/2025/12/30/europe/denmark-postal-service-letters-intl-scli 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. 

Croatia and several other European countries are leading the way in rolling out modern digital travel systems designed to make border crossings faster and more secure.  Starting in late 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamping with biometric scans — requiring travellers to register fingerprints and facial images at entry points across participating nations.  Alongside EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is also being introduced to pre-authorize visa-exempt travellers before arrival. These new tools aim to streamline travel throughout the Schengen Area while improving border security. Read More - travelandtourworld.com/news/article/croatia-joins-france-germany-malta-norway-luxembourg-denmark-belgium-switzerland-poland-hungary-latvia-and-more-in-ushering-a-new-era-of-secure-efficient-european-travel-with-the-introduct  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-based business aviation operator Luxaviation has resumed operations with Gulfstream business jets, bringing one of the most popular long-range aircraft back into its charter and service offering. The move marks a return to Gulfstream flying after a pause and supports the company’s broad network of private jet services across Europe and beyond.  Luxaviation — known for its fleet diversity and global reach — continues to adapt to changing demand in the business aviation market.  Read More - ch-aviation.com/news/162201-luxembourgs-luxaviation-resumes-gulfstream-operations  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. 

Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Luxembourg have officially been approved to join the European Union’s Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) Partnership, strengthening Europe’s ability to track satellites and space debris. With the European Commission’s decision in December 2025, these four countries become the newest members of the EU initiative that supports space situational awareness and helps protect critical space assets from collisions and other risks. The expanded partnership reflects growing cooperation in space security and surveillance across the block. Read More - spacewatch.global/2025/12/belgium-bulgaria-lithuania-and-luxembourg-are-set-to-join-eu-sst-partnership 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.

Europe’s telecommunications industry is facing a pivotal moment as leaders debate how best to grow and compete globally. Executives from major telcos argue that achieving scale will help European companies take on larger global rivals, particularly from the U.S. and Asia.  Orange’s CEO recently highlighted that while keeping prices affordable for consumers is important, building technological “firepower” through consolidation or strategic partnerships is vital for long-term competitiveness. Larger scale could strengthen investment in next-generation networks and services.  Industry analysts point out that Europe’s telecom companies have historically lagged behind in revenue and innovation compared with peers elsewhere, but there are opportunities for growth as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and connectivity continue to evolve.  One strategy discussed by sector leaders is encouraging regulatory frameworks that support mergers and infrastructure investment, allowing companies to pool resources and innovate more effectively in a fast-changing tech landscape. Analysts say this could help unlock value and spur broader growth.  As European telcos adapt to these competitive pressures, the outcome of strategic decisions around consolidation and investment will shape the future of digital services for consumers and businesses alike. Read more: sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/big-room-europe-telecom-companies-054744599.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 continues to attract global interest as a place to live, work, and settle long-term, and recent coverage highlights the possibility of Indians applying for permanent residency status in the country. This interest comes as more people consider relocating to European nations for better career and lifestyle opportunities.  Under Luxembourg’s immigration rules, third-country nationals (including Indians) may apply for a long-term residence permit after living legally and continuously in the country for at least five years. Once granted, permanent residence allows holders to live and work in Luxembourg indefinitely without needing to renew short-term visas.  To be eligible, applicants must have maintained lawful residence for the full period, with allowed absences under specific limits, and submit their application to the country’s immigration authorities. These rules apply equally to all third-country nationals who meet the criteria.  Although some countries in Europe offer fast-track or investment-linked residency programs, Luxembourg’s main pathway remains tied to long-term stay and integration. There are also options like residence-by-investment programs where wealthy applicants can gain residence through economic contributions, though these typically require significant investment.  For Indians interested in settling in Europe, understanding Luxembourg’s requirements now can help plan long-term relocation strategies, whether through work, study, or business pathways. Read more: msn.com/en-in/news/world/want-to-live-in-luxembourg-the-country-is-offering-a-permanent-residency-and-indians-can-apply-too/ar-AA1N4sFy?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1… 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. 

Europe’s aviation industry is gearing up for a big expansion in 2026, with new routes planned and existing services strengthened to meet rising demand. Luxembourg Airport is set to become an even more important travel hub as airlines broaden their summer schedules and offer more direct connections across the continent. The national airline Luxair is launching nine new seasonal destinations for summer 2026, linking Luxembourg with cities such as Girona in Spain, Helsinki in Finland, and Edinburgh in Scotland. These additions will help both business and leisure travelers reach popular European hotspots without layovers. Low-cost carrier Ryanair is also expanding services to and from Luxembourg, including flights to major cities like Madrid, adding more options for budget-minded travelers. This follows broader trends in European air travel that are pushing carriers to compete with wider route networks. Beyond Luxembourg, airlines across Europe are launching new seasonal routes for summer 2026, enabling easier access from North America and within Europe to popular destinations such as Nice, Barcelona, and Milan. These expansions reflect sustained growth in international and regional air travel post-pandemic. With all these changes, travel options for summer 2026 are expected to be more varied, affordable, and convenient, making it one of the most exciting seasons yet for exploring Europe by air. Read more: travelandtourworld.com/news/article/new-flights-to-luxembourg-madrid-milan-and-malta-in-2026-heres-what-you-need-to-know 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 newly crowned Grand Duke, Guillaume, delivered his first Christmas Eve address on 24 December 2025, speaking warmly to the nation about shared values, community, and the future under his leadership.  In the speech, he reflected on the importance of solidarity, openness, tolerance and social cohesion, describing these principles as the foundation that binds Luxembourg’s society together, especially at this festive time of year.  He thanked citizens for the support shown since his accession to the throne on 3 October 2025, following the abdication of his father, Grand Duke Henri, and highlighted traditional celebrations and forthcoming official visits to regions across the country next year. Beyond seasonal cheer, the Grand Duke acknowledged challenges facing both Luxembourg and the wider European community, including the effects of the war in Ukraine, and urged people to continue supporting one another through compassion and mutual respect.  He also emphasised the need to care for those struggling with hardships such as high living costs, reminding listeners that the true spirit of Christmas lies in sharing joy and extending solidarity to all.  Read more: gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/agenda.gouvernement2024+en+actualites+toutes_actualites+discours+2025+12-decembre+24-discours-noel-grand-duc.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.