Moving to Luxembourg from the UK: Complete guide

Thinking about moving to Luxembourg and experiencing life in one of Europe’s wealthiest and most diverse countries? This small yet vibrant nation offers a high quality of life, making it a great choice for expats. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to Luxembourg from the UK, including the cost of living, visa options, popular expat destinations and much more.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders. With the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

Learn more about the Wise account

Table of contents

Can you move to Luxembourg from the UK? What are the requirements to move to Luxembourg? How long can a British citizen live in Luxembourg? How to move to Luxembourg from the UK Moving to Luxembourg with pets Visas and residence permits in Luxembourg How to apply for residency How to renew your residency Options for retiring to Luxembourg from the UK Living in Luxembourg - The key facts Popular cities and locations for expats Cost of living in Luxembourg Opening a Luxembourg bank account Renting and buying property in Luxembourg Healthcare in Luxembourg Finding a job and working in Luxembourg Studying in Luxembourg Save on your relocation costs to Luxembourg with Wise Conclusion

Can you move to Luxembourg from the UK?

Yes, you can move to Luxembourg from the UK, as long as you meet certain requirements.

We'll guide you through the process and explain how to move to Luxembourg from the UK.

What are the requirements to move to Luxembourg?

Those who plan on staying in Luxembourg for more than 90 days must apply for a temporary authorisation to stay, and then for a long-stay visa. If you wish to work, you’ll have to apply for a work visa at the Department of Immigration.¹

The requirements may vary based on the permit you get, but here are some of the main ones:

• A passport valid for more than three months
• Proof of accommodation in Luxembourg
• Valid health insurance
• A certificate of good conduct
• A copy of your diploma or other professional qualifications¹

How long can a British citizen live in Luxembourg?

British citizens can live in Luxembourg as long as their residence permit remains valid. After five years of residency, you can apply for long-term residence at the Department of Immigration. After five years of permanent residency and fitting other criteria like learning the Luxembourgish language, you can apply for citizenship.¹

How to move to Luxembourg from the UK

Here are the key steps to follow when moving to Luxembourg from the UK:

1. Do job market research

Research in-demand jobs and average salaries, and explore some job-seeking websites such as Indeed or Monster.

2. Secure a job and gather the necessary documents

Make sure to check which documents are required for each type of the work visa.

3. Find a place to live

While waiting for your work permit, start looking for accommodation. Since there are no residency requirements to rent or buy property in Luxembourg, you might even be able to arrange your new home before you arrive.

4. Look into health insurance and Luxembourg banks

Look into Luxembourg’s healthcare options and find out what services are available near your future home. This is also a good time to research local banks and international bank accounts.

5. Read customs and imports rules before packing

Before packing, check Luxembourg’s customs and import rules to avoid bringing prohibited items or exceeding duty-free limits.

6. Consider hiring a moving company and pack only the most valuable items

Pack your important documents and personal valuables yourself. For the rest, hire a moving company to handle the packing and transport smoothly.

Moving to Luxembourg with pets

If you’re also moving your pet to Luxembourg, you must make sure it has a 15-digit microchip, rabies vaccines and a valid pet passport. You need to wait 21 days after the rabies vaccination to travel, but the chip must be implanted before vaccination, so calculate this well.²

To ensure your pet meets all health and documentation requirements for travel, it's best to contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Visas and residence permits in Luxembourg

Long-stay visas for Luxembourg are divided into three main categories:

• Work-related
• Education-related
• Family and other¹

Each category has various subcategories. Here are the work visas available when moving to Luxembourg from the UK:

• Salaried Worker (Employee)
• Self-employed Worker (Independent)
• Highly Qualified Worker
• Researcher
• Athlete
• Au Pair
• Salaried Worker Posted by a Company Established Outside the EU
• Trainee¹

How to apply for residency

The first step to this is applying for temporary authorisation to stay. When you get it, you’ll need to apply for a work visa.¹

Then, you’ll need to make a declaration of arrival within three days of arriving in Luxembourg and do a medical check. Once you’ve finished all of this, you can apply for a residence permit. You have three months to do this and you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• Passport copy (in its entirety)
• Copy of the temporary authorization to stay
• Copy of the declaration of arrival
• Proof of address
• Proof of payment of the application fee¹

How to renew your residency

You’ll need to renew your Luxembourg residence permit two months before it expires. Applications are submitted to the Immigration Office of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs.³

The documents you’ll need depend on the permit category. To renew a Salaried Worker permit, you’ll need the following:

• The application form
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of a valid employment contract
• A recent certificate of affiliation
• A recent certificate of no criminal record
• Proof of payment of the €80 fee³

The application should be submitted by post.³

Options for retiring to Luxembourg from the UK

Luxembourg doesn’t have a dedicated retirement visa, but UK citizens can still retire there by obtaining the relevant residence permit. Since financial stability is a key requirement for any permit, you can use your pension as proof of sufficient funds.

Luxembourg also has a residence by investment programme. You can choose between two routes: investing €500,000 under the Residence by Investment option or having €27,000 of regular annual income, under the Residence by private reasons option.⁴

If you manage to retire in Luxembourg, you can also claim your UK state pension there. It can be paid into a UK bank account or a Luxembourg one, in which case you’ll be paid in the local currency. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.⁵

Living in Luxembourg - The key facts

Here are some basic facts you should know about Luxembourg if you’re considering moving there:

💰 Currency:	Euro (EUR)
🗣️ Main language:	Luxembourgish, German, French
👥 Population:	677,795⁶
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	around 3,900⁷

Popular cities and locations for expats

Although Luxembourg is a small country, it offers remarkable diversity, with different cities suited to different lifestyles.

For families, Esch-sur-Alzette and Mersch are excellent choices, providing a range of schools, public sports facilities and easy access to Luxembourg City. If you're looking for a peaceful place to retire, Remich offers a quiet setting near the borders of Germany and France.⁸

Meanwhile, if you want to be at the heart of job opportunities, cultural events and universities, Luxembourg City is the perfect place to settle.⁸

Cost of living in Luxembourg

Luxembourg is generally more expensive than the UK in nearly all aspects, but there are a few exceptions.

One of the biggest differences is housing. Rent prices in the UK are about 29% lower and buying an apartment in Luxembourg can cost between 66% and 76% more. Overall, the cost of living without rent is around 9% lower in the UK, while the total cost, including rent, is about 16% lower. Groceries are also more affordable in the UK, costing roughly 16% less.⁹

Dining out tends to be slightly more expensive in Luxembourg, while utilities are a bit cheaper. However, one major advantage is that public transportation is completely free, making it one of the few areas where you can save money.⁹

Opening a Luxembourg bank account

Opening a local bank account should be one of your top priorities, but you can also manage your finances through an overseas account in the beginning. If you have a Luxembourg employment contract or a university acceptance letter, you might be able to open an account online before arriving.¹⁰

However, most banks require opening an account in person. You’ll need to present your ID and proof of address, as well as other documents that might be specific to your situation. There are over 130 banks in Luxembourg, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.¹⁰

Whether you’ll be able to keep your UK bank account after moving depends on your bank. For example, Barclays closes your account once you move abroad.¹¹

Renting and buying property in Luxembourg

You can rent and buy property as a UK citizen if you can afford it, which is essentially the only requirement. There are no restrictions on renting or buying, and both residents and expats can do so as soon as they arrive. However, most new expats choose to rent initially due to the high property prices.¹²

Most people rent through a real estate agency. Once you find a place, you’ll need to pay a deposit to your landlord, which can be a maximum of three months’ rent. What’s important is that you don’t pay anything before signing a contract.¹²

Although foreigners and expats can buy property without restriction, they’ll usually need a bigger deposit in order to get a mortgage. There are also some fees you’ll need to pay when purchasing real estate, such as registration fees and notary fees.¹³

Healthcare in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a good healthcare system, providing its citizens with great treatments and preventative care. There’s a strong emphasis on disease prevention, with regular screenings for conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes available.

With modern hospitals, well-trained medical staff and advanced facilities, Luxembourg provides excellent healthcare standards comparable to the best in Europe.¹⁴

Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of Luxembourg and is managed by the Caisse Nationale de Santé. It is funded through a combination of employer contributions, employee contributions and government subsidies.

While public health insurance covers most medical expenses, individuals can choose to take out supplementary private insurance for additional coverage.¹⁴

English-speaking doctors and medical staff

Many doctors in Luxembourg are likely to speak English due to the country’s large international and expat community. However, it is best to confirm this with your doctor before booking an appointment.

Medication and prescription requirements and restrictions

Pharmacies in Luxembourg dispense both prescription and over-the-counter medications, with patients required to pay a small co-payment for prescriptions.

While basic medications are widely available, some specialised treatments may require prior authorisation from the CNS for reimbursement.¹⁴

Finding a job and working in Luxembourg

You can work in Luxembourg as a British citizen if you obtain a work contract and then a work permit. Once you get an employment contract, you’ll need to apply for temporary authorisation to stay from the Immigration Directorate. Once you arrive, you’ll undergo a medical check before applying for a residence permit.¹⁵

There are many websites that can help you start your job hunt, but here are some we singled out:

• ADEM (The National Employment Agency)
• Indeed
• Monster
• Moovijob

There are also several types of work visas in Luxembourg, including:

• Salaried workers
• Highly qualified workers
• Young au pairs
• Investors
• Researchers¹⁵

For example, the Salaried worker visa is available to those with a job offer from a Luxembourg company. However, the employer will need to prove no suitable candidates were found locally or within the EU.¹⁵

You can also get a visa as a self-employed worker. You will need to provide evidence of relevant qualifications and proof that you have sufficient funds to carry out your plans. When applying for the visa, you will also need to demonstrate that your business proposal will benefit the country.¹⁵

The average salary in Luxembourg is €75,409 per year, making it the highest in the EU. For example, those working in finance can earn around €113,018, while professionals in health and social work earn approximately €77,695 annually.¹⁶

Studying in Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a great place for students, as higher education is heavily subsidised, with tuition fees at public universities around €400 per semester. Private schools are significantly more expensive, ranging from €3,000 to €5,000, depending on the programme.¹⁷

Various scholarships are available through universities, the Luxembourgish government, the EU and international organisations. Some cover full tuition, while others offer partial funding or low-interest loans to support students. It is important to research tuition costs and financial aid options before applying.¹⁷

Save on your relocation costs to Luxembourg with Wise

Before moving to Luxembourg, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Luxembourg for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is always safeguarded.

You can also get the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7 to spend in EUR from the moment you step off the plane. It works in 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee*.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:

Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Low, upfront, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rates Dedicated support for large transfers Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded under regulatory protections Trackable and fast transfers to 160+ countries Low-cost spending in 150+ countries with the Wise card Earn a return on your GBP, USD and EUR balance with Wise Interest**

Sign up with Wise today 🚀

**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Wise Interest isn’t currently available to use with a Luxembourg address.

Conclusion

• There are three main visa categories for Luxembourg: Work-related, Education-related and Family and other
• There is no specific retirement visa, but you can still retire in Luxembourg by proving you have sufficient funds or by investing
• Expats can rent and buy property in Luxembourg without restriction
• Luxembourg has the highest average salary in the EU
• The cost of living in Luxembourg is higher than in the UK

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Sources used:

1. Expatica - visas and immigration in Luxembourg
2. Lux Today - relocating your pets to Luxembourg
3. Lux Today - how to obtain and renew a residence permit in Luxembourg
4. Immigrant Invest - Luxembourg Golden Visa
5. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
6. Worldometers - Luxembourg population
7. Statista - population of British nationals in Luxembourg
8. Expatica - best cities for expats in Luxembourg
9. Numbeo - cost of living comparison between the UK and Luxembourg
10. Expatica - opening a bank account in Luxembourg
11. Barclays - living outside the UK
12. Expatica - renting a property in Luxembourg
13. Expatica - buying real estate in Luxembourg
14. Justarrived.lu - Luxembourg healthcare
15. Expatica - work visas
16. Expatica - average salary in Luxembourg
17. Educations.com - study in Luxembourg

Sources last checked on date: 20-Feb-2025