The labour market in Luxembourg is quite specific. International and multilingual, it requires in-depth knowledge of languages depending on the sector and profession. Find out more about jobs in Luxembourg in 2024 for EU citizens, the most popular vacancies and useful tips for finding a job

Luxembourg is a small country located in the heart of Europe. The state attracts foreign workers with the best standard of living in the Eurozone, a stable economy and one of the highest salaries in the world. The unemployment rate in Luxembourg has remained relatively stable in recent years and currently stands at 6.6%.

According to statistics, about 70% of the working population of Luxembourg are immigrants or border workers. Despite the high level of competition, there are vacancies in Luxembourg for both highly skilled professionals and unskilled workers.

How to find a job in Luxembourg? A detailed guide for expats follows.

The labor market in Luxembourg

The unemployment rate in Luxembourg has remained relatively stable over the past few years and currently stands at 5.5%. The country's workforce is represented by local specialists, expats and cross-border workers.

The basis of the country's economy is financial services, and the transport and communication sectors are also well developed.

The largest employers in Luxembourg

The list of the largest employers in the country includes the following companies:

- Post Luxembourg (telecommunications)

- Groupe CFL (transport)

- Cactus (food retail)

- Groupe Dussmann (security)

- BGL BNP Paribas (finance)

- ArcelorMittal (steel production)

- Goodyear Dunlop (tyre production)

- Luxair (transport)

Work in Luxembourg for EU citizens 2024

Citizens of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Sweden have the right to unimpeded employment in Luxembourg. Also, when searching for a candidate for a vacancy, the national employment agency of Luxembourg gives preference to residents of Europe.

That is why about 200,000 foreigners work in Luxembourg, most of whom go to work across the border every day: 50% of employees are French citizens, followed by Belgium (25%) and Germany (25%). Thus, 45% of domestic employment is accounted for by cross-border workers.

How can citizens of other countries get a job in Luxembourg?

Citizens of third countries, that is, those who do not have a European passport (Ukrainians, Turks, Canadians) for employment in Luxembourg must go through a number of procedures before coming to the Grand Duchy.

The main task is to find an employer and sign an employment contract with him. Convincing a local company of its own merits may not be easy, as a large number of Europeans work in Luxembourg, but it is quite possible.

---

Planning a trip or move abroad? An important part of a successful trip is an insurance policy, as it guarantees high-quality medical care anywhere in the world and can protect you from unnecessary expenses while travelling.  You can buy insurance from trusted agents on the Visit World portal. 

---

Procedure for employment of foreigners in Luxembourg

1st stage – notify the National Employment Agency

In order to hire a foreigner, the employer must notify the National Employment Agency (Agence pour le développement de l'emploi – ADEM) about the vacancy. If there are no local or European job candidates within 3 weeks, then it is allowed to apply for a job from a representative of other countries. To confirm its decision, ADEM will issue an appropriate permit. It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to receive the certificate.

2nd stage - sign the employment contract

The employer and the foreigner sign a contract in which the terms of relocation, cultural and language adaptation, reimbursement of costs in the event of termination of the contract at their own will and at the initiative of the company will be written in detail.

In addition, the contract specifies information about the parties, the place and time of work, the job description and duties, the amount of wages and additional payments if they are available, the duration of vacation and the probationary period, etc.

Stage 3 – Obtain a work permit in Luxembourg

After signing the employment contract, the foreigner must apply to the Luxembourg consulate for an employment permit.

Documents for obtaining a permit are considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg. The following information is usually required:

1. A copy of a valid foreign passport;

2. Birth certificate;

3. Copies of diplomas and other certificates confirming qualification;

4. Duly completed resume, short biography and motivation letter;

5. Certificate of no criminal record;

6. A copy of the employment contract and certificate of right to work received from ADEM;

All documents must be translated into one of the following languages - French, German or English;

In case of a positive decision, you will receive a long-term visa type D.

---

Read more about the available types of work visas in Luxembourg at the link.

---

Step 4 – Upon arrival in Luxembourg

After arriving in Luxembourg, you must register at the municipal office (Kommune) of your place of residence within 3 working days and start working.

Initially, the document is issued for one year with the right of extension and allows you to work only in a certain profession. After 5 years of work in Luxembourg, a permanent residence permit is granted, and after 10 years you can get citizenship.

Sectors of Luxembourg in which there is a shortage of specialists

Luxembourg does not have a major labor shortage, but a number of sectors are constantly recruiting staff with different skill levels, including:

- finances

- health care

- Retail

- production

- construction

- hospitality

Top 10 most popular professions and open vacancies in Luxembourg

- Financial audit specialist.

- Accounting specialist.

- IT researcher and developer.

- Specialist in technical support of information systems.

- Specialist in credit risk analysis.

- Secretary.

- Employee of the restaurant sector.

- Cook.

- Legal consultant.

- System analyst.

English-speaking employees are advised to pay attention to work in the banking and IT sectors, where English is in high demand.

How can a foreigner look for a job in Luxembourg?

You can find a suitable job, including English-speaking vacancies in Luxembourg, in several ways:

1. On job search sites - Relocate.me, GovJobs and EURES, specifying Luxembourg as the location or on local portals: Optioncarriere.lu, Indeed.lu, Moovijob.com. 

2. On the official website of the State Employment Service of Luxembourg - ADEM.

3. In social networks and messengers: LinkedIn, Facebook, Telegram.

4. With the help of friends and acquaintances.

Useful information and advice for employment in Luxembourg

A well-written CV and cover letter are key elements of the employment process in Luxembourg:

- The resume should be written in English and/or French and well structured. Fill in the information in 5 separate sections: contacts, education, experience, personal projects and skills. When writing a resume, use a normal font and place all information on an A4 sheet. Use headings and bullets to keep your text consistent and clear.

- Also, a cover letter must be added to the package of documents - it must be written in the language of the vacancy or in English. It will include information about the position you are applying for and a brief description of your work experience.

Luxembourg, like the rest of the EU countries, takes the recruitment process very seriously. Generally, job seekers from abroad will go through several online interviews that last an average of 45-60 minutes.

What language is required to work in Luxembourg?

The labor market in Luxembourg is international and multilingual, it requires more or less in-depth knowledge of languages ​​depending on the sectors and professions you target.

French remains the most common language at work, but some sectors have their own characteristics. The public sector and the health sector require knowledge of the Luxembourgish language. Work in trade and industry requires knowledge of the German language. The financial and consulting sectors are more English-speaking.

 Are you bilingual or trilingual? This is a significant advantage. Be sure to highlight these strengths in your resume.

---

Useful expat tips for a comfortable move to Luxembourg in 2024 in this article.

---

What is the average salary in Luxembourg?

The average salary in Luxembourg in 2024 after taxes and other mandatory deductions is around 3,495 euros per month.

From June 2024, the national minimum wage in Luxembourg remained fixed at €2,570.9 per month, i.e. €30,851 per year. This is the highest indicator in the European Union.

Labor law in Luxembourg

A full working week in Luxembourg is 40 hours. The maximum number of hours you can work per week is 48, and there is a limit of 10 hours per day, except in special cases.

Employees receive a minimum of 25 days of paid vacation each year. Also, 10 public holidays per year have been approved in the country.

The trial period in Luxembourg must be a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 12 months. However, in reality it is usually between one and three months. During this time, the notice period for terminating your contract may be shorter.

Currently, Luxembourg is recognized as one of the most favorable countries for moving to the EU, and given the simplification of migration legislation, the state is increasingly popular among expats.

We will remind you! Due to the acute shortage of specialists, European countries are gradually easing the procedure for obtaining a Blue Card, and Luxembourg is no exception. Instructions for obtaining a permit for highly qualified expats in the Grand Duchy in this article.

---

Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

For safe relocation to Luxembourg, obtaining refugee status and employment, use the advice of an international lawyer. We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in Luxembourg.

---

---