Delano Expat Guide 2019-2020

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-2020

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Wednesday, 31 July 2019

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Editorial

About

In her novel “Of Love and Shadows”, the great writer Isabelle Allende suggested that nostalgia-”fatiguing and destructive”-is the vice of the expatriate.

“You must put down roots as if they were forever, you must have a sense of permanence,” she wrote.

The print edition of Delano, the English language news magazine for Luxembourg’s international community, is available at newsstands across the grand duchy and by subscription. Delano publishes two newsletters weekdays: the “Breakfast briefing”, featuring world and local headlines to start the day informed, and the “Noon briefing”, covering the latest Luxembourg news and events. Plus there are Delano Live events, which feature live on stage with people and on topics covered by Delano, but with a fresh perspective, followed by a networking cocktail.

A sense of permanence

Whether you are a brand-new arrival to the grand duchy or have been resident for several years, the key to enjoying and getting the most out of life in Luxembourg is to view your stay as a commitment.

Think too much about where you lived before moving here and you will inevitably draw unfair comparisons, one way or another.

Think about when you plan to move on again and you will struggle to find any sort of harmony, and the friendships you forge risk being fleeting in nature.

Welcome to the second edition of Delano’s “Expat Guide”. Written and compiled by our team of expats who have lived and worked in Luxembourg for several years, the guide aims to help you find that sense of permanence. It reflects the authentic experience of living in the grand duchy and is therefore subjective. The listings are also select recommendations and do not claim to be comprehensive.

But we hope that the 2019-20 “Expat Guide” will help readers put down those roots in this great little country.

↳ www.delano.lu

Delano Magazine

news@delano.lu

@DelanoMagazine

Delano Magazine

THE TEAM

Jess Bauldry

Natalie Gerhardstein

Jess began her journalism career in the UK in 2005. Since 2010, she has been reporting in Luxembourg, where she enjoys covering human interest stories and exploring new storytelling tools.

She is originally from West Sussex.

A German-US dual national, Natalie has worked in the media and comms sector for 15 years. She has a passion for international development, business and travel. She holds an MBA and is currently learning Korean.

journalist

journalist

@JessBauldry

@NGerhardstein

Aaron Grunwald

Duncan Roberts

Duncan Roberts Editor-in-chief

Aaron has ten years’ experience as a journalist in Luxembourg. He likes the fact that journalists get to learn something new every day. He is originally from Berkeley, California.

desk editor

@aarongrunwald

editor-in-chief A journalist in Luxembourg for over 25 years, Duncan has interviewed 1 head of state, 2 Grand Théâtre directors, 3 prime ministers, 4 national team football coaches, 5 Filmpräis winners and countless ambassadors to the grand duchy. He is fluent in Luxembourgish and his native Mancunian.

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Guest editorial

Photo → Mike Zenari

↑

JORGE “VIKI” GOMEZ PIERNAVIEJA Former world champion, elite BMX flatland rider and Red Bull athlete Jorge “Viki” Gomez Piernavieja says living in Luxembourg has provided him with the perfect balance to establish a wealth of projects.

Vikibmx vikigomezbmx

VikiGomezBMX

↳ www.vikigomez.com

I move to Luxembourg in 2012 without knowing anything about the country. The only reason was because my then girlfriend (now my wife) is from here. After travelling the world and visiting over 60 countries as a professional BMX freestyle rider, and being from Madrid, I was shocked! It looked like I had moved to a small village where there was nothing of what I was used to.

The first positive I discovered was being close to nature. My physical condition improved vastly, and my best competitive years were right after I moved to the grand duchy. Luxembourg City is a modern capital perfectly integrated with the forest, with beautiful architecture that inspires me to be more creative every day.

Even though there was nothing related to my world in Luxembourg, it is here where I found the opportunity to create. Together with my wife, we found the perfect balance to establish projects including BMX shows and events, workshops, artistic video and photo projects.

And the interest and feedback we received from the media, the government and the people has been overwhelming.

And this is the message I would like to share with you. Whenever you see something that you would like to change for the general and common good of the people or the country, then use it as an opportunity and do something about it. I believe the change this country has experienced has partly been written by all of us who moved here from abroad and have brought fresh ideas. Also, being a small country means you are easily connected, which allows me to always have access to make new ideas and projects a reality.

Look at Luxembourg today. It is really a new world compared to how it was in 2012. Being an entrepreneur since I was 14 years old, I like to change my surroundings in order to maintain my level of creativity.

And food is really an inspiration for me. In Luxembourg, I have tried some of the best international restaurants. Sometimes even better than those in their own countries. So, feel free to explore because I would say that 90% of the restaurants are really good quality.

Nightlife is not really my thing since I am an athlete, and now also a father. But I know there are so many things to do nowadays--nice bars, big clubs and awesome concerts. I love to go to the cinema instead, as I am a big lover of the 7th art. Cinemas in Luxembourg are five-star quality, so you will love them.

Just one word of advice. Don’t compare Luxembourg to your country, and instead start living it as a new experience where you can also be part of the evolution.

Guest editorial

Seize the opportunities

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JUST ARRIVED Choose a good partner

LA LUXEMBOURGEOISE • 9, rue Jean Fischbach • L-3372 Leudelange • Tél. 4761-1 • groupeLL@lalux.lu • www.lalux.lu

PUBLISHER

SETTLING IN

PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Write to PO Box 728 L-2017 Luxembourg Offices 10 rue des Gaulois, Luxembourg-Bonnevoie ISSN 2220-5535 Web www.maisonmoderne.com Founder and chairman Mike Koedinger CEO Richard Karacian Administrative and financial director Etienne Velasti CONTENT Phone (+352) 20 70 70-150 Fax (+352) 29 66 19 E-mail news@delano.lu Publisher Richard Karacian Editorial director Matthieu Croissandeau Editor-in-chief Duncan Roberts (duncan.roberts@maisonmoderne.com) Desk editor Aaron Grunwald (aaron.grunwald@maisonmoderne.com) Journalists Jess Bauldry (jessica.bauldry@maisonmoderne.com) Natalie Gerhardstein (natalie.gerhardstein@maisonmoderne.com) Contributor Stephen Evans Photography Jan Hanrion, Lala La Photo, Patricia Pitsch, Mike Zenari, Matic Zorman Proofreading Pauline Berg, Lisa Cacciatore, Sarah Lambolez, Manon Méral, Elena Sebastiani

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From administrative formalities via finding a home to taking an orientation course, here’s how to get yourself set up.

Want to move up the company ladder, build out your network or start up your own business? Here’s where to look.

DAILY LIFE

FUTURE PLANNING

DESIGN Phone (+352) 20 70 70-200 Fax (+352) 27 62 12 62-84 E-mail agency@maisonmoderne.com Agency director Mathieu Mathelin Head of production Stéphanie Poras-Schwickerath Creative director Jeremy Leslie Head of art direction Vinzenz Hölzl Art director José Carsí Layout Oriane Pawlisiak (coordination), Elina Luzerne Cover Illustration Sofia Azcona ADVERTISING Phone (+352) 20 70 70-300 Fax (+352) 26 29 66 20 E-mail regie@maisonmoderne.com Partner-director, advertising sales Francis Gasparotto (francis.gasparotto@maisonmoderne.com) Sales manager Luciana Restivo (luciana.restivo@maisonmoderne.com) SUBSCRIPTIONS For subscriptions, please visit www.delano.lu Luxembourg (shipping included) 1 year / 7 issues / 25 euros Europe (shipping included) 1 year / 7 issues / 31 euros

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From commuting and supermarkets to finding a doctor and recycling, here’s some handy places to know about.

Insurance, retirement and building a home… you need to think ahead and consider the details. Here’s some help.

CHILDCARE AND FAMILY

LEISURE TIME

Printed by Imprimerie Centrale Distribution by Valora Services Luxembourg

In accordance with article 66 of the law of 08.06.2004 on the freedom of expression in the media: the company that publishes Delano is indirectly held, by a stake exceeding 25%, by Mike Koedinger, an independent editor registered in Luxembourg.

Richard Karacian is chartered with daily management.

Delano™ and Maison Moderne™ are trademarks used under licence by MM Publishing and Media S.A. © MM Publishing and Media S.A. (Luxembourg) NOTE TO OUR READERS Delano’s next print edition comes out 11 September.

For daily news updates, commentary and our weekly what’s on guide, visit www.delano.lu.

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Raising little ones in multicultural and multilingual Luxembourg?

Here’s practical advice for parents of kids of all ages.

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We couldn’t possibly list all the options on how to spend your free time in this guide. But here are a few top ways to make the most of your evenings and weekends.

Contents

Expat Guide 2019-20

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Reference Map 1

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Luxembourg COUNTRY

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8 Country border

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 photo  

Mike Zenari

Settling in Moving home is always a hectic time, whether you’re relocating to Luxembourg for the first time or moving down the street. There’s so much to organise before you even think about finding friends and expanding your network.

Our listings are an excellent starting point, providing contacts for handy organisations and groups that can help take the pain out of administrative procedures, so that you can get on with exploring and enjoying your new home.

There is no right or wrong way to settle in Luxembourg as our three expat stories illustrate. Whether you choose to live within walking distance of your work, like Will Bakker, or in the picturesque Mullerthal region, like Doline Ndorimana, the key is to stay curious, as Mikkel Strørup says, and be aware of the options available to you. → See listings starting on page 26

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← Doline Ndorimana says Luxembourg is an ideal location from which to visit the rest of Europe Deloitte

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Settling in

“Don’t be afraid to go outside of the city” As a native French speaker, Doline Ndorimana said she felt immediately at home in Luxembourg. words

L

Jess Bauldry

uxembourg is a welcoming place and people are very curious about its residents, says English and French teacher Doline Ndorimana. Born and raised in ­ Burundi, the International School of ­Luxembourg secondary school teacher left home at 18 to study then work in Sweden.

“They asked what we eat and what language we speak and how I adapt to the weather. Actually, the weather was better in Sweden than in Luxembourg because it’s not as humid,” she laughs.

After Sweden, Ndorimana and her husband moved to the Netherlands in 2010 before settling in Luxembourg in 2015.

After so much time spent living abroad, she is something of a veteran at settling

photo

Lala La Photo

in and, being a native French speaker certainly helps in a country like Luxembourg where French is one of the three national languages. “I felt I was home. I didn’t need any help understanding the mail,” she says.

Another thing that helped ease the transition was the surprise connection she made with a fellow Burundian colleague, who invited her home.

“We were just talking about where I was from. She said ‘what’s your mother’s name?

And your dad’s name?’ Then I realised she was my mother’s classmate!” she recalls.

The colleague has since become like family.

Ndorimana said among the best advice she received upon arrival was to make the most of Luxembourg’s location in the

heart of Europe. “I’ve been able to see so many places around France, Belgium and Germany.” She even takes day trips on the TGV to Paris and to Brussels to visit the many African stores. Her favourite city closer to home, meanwhile, is Nancy.

In the five years since moving to Luxembourg, Ndorimana has seen two sides of the country--living in Howald, in Luxembourg City, and then moving to Beaufort, a small town in the Mullerthal region. “In terms of price, in the city, it was overpriced for the quality we could afford,” she says, explaining that she and her partner wanted a house big enough to be able to accommodate visiting friends and family.

“We ended up finding a beautiful house for us and our family. I like Beaufort: the woods and the trees,” she says.

Two years ago, the couple became homeowners and encourage other newcomers to do the same. In addition to having a larger home for less than what she would pay in the capital and an investment, she says living outside of the city has helped her to get to know the real Luxembourg--she finds people friendlier, she knows her neighbours and the immersive experience of living around so many locals has helped improve her Luxembourgish.

Now, when Ndorimana meets newcomers ­to Luxembourg, her advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to go outside of the city. When I said I was going to live in Beaufort everyone said ‘it’s so far’. I thought it must be two hours away. Then I looked it up on a map and saw it was only 40 minutes. The drive is nice. There’s no traffic jam. I think people should just get out of the city and it’s so beautiful in the Mullerthal area.” ×

YOUR PLACE, YOUR PEACE OF MIND

HOME

100% customizable home insurance. baloise.lu/home

BRAND VOICE

14

Moving to

Luxembourg, here I come!

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Moving to Luxembourg is easy – here’s how to get it right. sponsored content by

ING

More than 10,000 people move to Luxembourg every year, drawn by its high wages, superb quality of life and friendly, open attitude towards foreigners. Almost half of Luxembourg’s population are expats. If you’ve chosen to join them, here’s a quick list of things to do to make sure your move goes smoothly.

Source → Statec 2019

1

To-do list

Getting a job

Register with the National Employment Agency and the European Job Mobility Portal

Luxembourg has a buoyant job market, especially for experienced professionals.

It’s a cosmopolitan country, so language skills are definitely a plus – French, German and English are all particularly prized.

Check private job boards, such as moovijob.com, jobsinluxembourg.eu and jobs.lu

Did you know?

Unemployment levels in Luxembourg are just 5.5%.

Source → delano.lu 2018

2 Opening a bank account Before moving to Luxembourg, open a local bank account. You’ll avoid charges for accessing your money abroad and will have a place for your wages once you get a job. A Luxembourg bank account is also essential when looking for a new home and getting services – like water, gas and internet – connected.

Did you know?

68% of people in Luxembourg use smartphones to do their banking and 75% of those said that they found mobile banking ‘enjoyable’, ‘easy’ and ‘smart’.

Sources → ING International Survey, Savings 2018 and ING International Survey 2019

To-do list Set up a bank account in Luxembourg – ING has one that you can open before you relocate (www.ing.lu/welcome) Start putting away money straightaway – over 80% of Luxembourg residents have some form of savings and you’ll need them if you want to buy a home in Luxembourg

BRAND VOICE

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3

To-do list

Renting can be a good option when you first arrive in Luxembourg. Contracts usually last 1-3 years and most require a 3-month deposit. Home ownership is expensive and a 20-25% cash deposit is expected. Investing in property may be a good long-term option – 88% of residents believe house prices will rise over the next 12 months.

Check your rights and obligations as a tenant on the Consumers Union website (www.ulc.lu) Go to www.appartager.lu if you want to share a house or flat

Did you know?

Get a rental deposit – at ING, it is possible to open one even before your arrival!

Real estate in Luxembourg costs around €5,000–€8,000 per square meter.

Sources → expatica.com, delano.lu and ING International Survey, Savings 2018

5

4 Getting the kids settled in

Relaxing

State-registered crèches are available for children under the age of 4 and childcare vouchers are available based on a family’s income. Older children can be enrolled in free state schools or private international schools. A state school will help your child integrate and become multilingual – classes are taught in Luxembourgish, French, German and some in English – while an international school minimises disruption by offering the same curriculum.

Once you’re all settled, it’s time to start enjoying everything Luxembourg has to offer.

The capital is bursting with great restaurants, bars, museums and art galleries, while the country beyond is filled with beautiful green landscapes, historic castles and huge nature parks. And from January 2020, you won’t have to pay to reach any of it as all public transport will be free – something no other country in the world offers.

Did you know?

Luxembourg has more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than any other nation.

Did you know?

43% of Luxembourg residents give their kids pocket money on a regular basis.

Source → Luxembourg Government Portal

Sources → expatica.com and ING International Survey 2014

To-do list Check out the Family section of the government’s website to find out more about childcare Visit the Ministry of Education website to investigate schooling options

To-do list Take in a movie – all films in Luxembourg are shown in their original language Pop to London, Paris, Brussels or Berlin – they’re all less than two hours away by plane Or wait for the world to come to you - with representatives of over 170 nations, Luxembourg is a great place to discover the world without travelling

Focus on what really matters and keep your banking easy with ING. More info on ing.lu/welcome

Welcome

Visit property portals to get an idea of what’s available to rent and buy

Finding your new home

16

← Will Bakker wishes he had been more committed to learning Luxembourgish when he first arrived and had the time

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Settling in

“It’s very hard to do it on your own” As a trailing spouse without kids, it wasn’t easy for US national Will Bakker to find like-minded people in Luxembourg. words

F

Jess Bauldry

or Will Bakker, coming to Luxembourg in 2009 was his second try at expat life.

Before Luxembourg, he and his wife, Anita, had lived in Dublin, where he hung out in local pubs to make friends. “For about five months, I had a ball. But after that, there’s nothing to show up to. Nothing depended on me.” The Chicago-land native saw Luxembourg as a second chance to get it right.

Not having kids made it more challenging to meet people, he says, but he wasn’t going to give up and threw himself into clubs and associations. They didn’t all pan out--for example the language sometimes posed a challenge. But it didn’t matter because he found like-minded people through organisations like Democrats Abroad and

photo

Matic Zorman

the American Women’s Club, where he tried to set up a men’s section. He even began to meet Luxembourgers. “I find a lot of people say that Luxembourgers aren’t warm.

I find them to be very warm, but that’s in part because I’m coming from a direction where I’m expected: I already know a family member,” he says. This connection has paid off--Bakker now gets insider tips and advice from his Luxembourger friends and he says feels part of a community, whether spending time with Luxembourgers or a multicultural mix of friends.

Today, Bakker and his wife live in Luxembourg City, which he says is one of the rare cities in which you can enjoy a pleasant walk to work. “That makes a

massive difference in your sanity and also in how you are part of the environment, how much you see your neighbours and get to know your neighbourhood.” Bakker now splits his time volunteering with Democrats Abroad and working as an advisor to young Luxembourgers on higher education options in the US. “I wind up speaking to lots of Luxembourgers and their families, it makes me feel I live here and am getting to know the place more. It’s also a push to improve my French and do better in Luxembourgish,” he says. Bakker is now learning Luxembourgish seriously, after attempting and giving up a few years ago. He says that he regrets not being more disciplined the first time around, when he had more time to focus.

One thing Bakker observes among some newcomers is that they seem reluctant to accept help. “Maybe they want to figure it out themselves… But it’s very hard to do it on your own because a lot of the things that make Luxembourg great you hear about purely through word of mouth.”

Bakker understands people’s hesitation.

He too was wary of being drawn into the expat bubble. But he urges newcomers to reach out with questions and to persist in meeting as many new people as possible.

“Often, the way to do that is to find a common interest, even if it’s just temporary and then make that personal connection.” Inviting people over for food or drinks, he adds, is a common way to get to know people better. And, if you are invited to someone else’s home, don’t forget to “bring a bottle of wine”. “That was new to me.” ×

Immigration and Relocation tailored Immigration and Relocation solutions for corporate and private clients.

With personal service from experienced specialists, we fully support and guide assignees and their families throughout their successful relocation to Luxembourg.

For more information contact us at: (+352) 27 47 81 55 55 relocation@wirtz.lu www.wirtz.lu

20, route d’Echternach L-1453 Luxembourg

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← Mikkel Strørup says it’s important for foreign nationals to know that their origins add to the country’s richness

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Settling in

“I encourage the curiosity” Mikkel Strørup gives non-Luxembourgers the tools to discover Luxembourg for themselves by teaching citizenship classes. words

M

Jess Bauldry

ikkel Strørup is not an expat in the classical sense. Born in Luxembourg to Danish parents, it wasn’t until he went to study in Denmark that he really felt like an expat. Today, he uses this migration background to help benefit others, by teaching English-language citizenship classes as part of the “Contrat d’Accueil et d’Intégration” (Cai, welcome and integration contract). “They wanted people who migrated to teach these programmes because migration is never easy and it’s always full of nuances,” Strørup explains.

The Cai is a free, optional programme for non-Luxembourg nationals, comprised of citizenship workshops, an orientation

photo

Mike Zenari

day and subsidised classes in any of the country’s three national languages.

Strørup’s six-hour sessions, usually hosted on a Saturday, offer participants the chance to learn about their rights and responsibilities, as well as get to grips with the history and politics of the country. He says his sessions are the opposite of “death

by Powerpoint” and he makes a point of ensuring there is plenty of group work and interaction between participants.

“I spend the first session talking about the people in the room and their backgrounds,” he says, explaining that it’s important for foreign nationals to take pride in their origins and understand that they

add to the country’s richness. He then encourages participants to “stay curious”.

“I don’t always point people in the same direction. I point them to curiosity and to take a look at what’s interesting in Luxembourg,” he says. “I encourage the curiosity and try to give them the tools to continue that themselves.”

Strørup might signpost participants to some of the scores of fun activities, or stunning locations that can be found in the country. His favourite homework is sending people off on the Wenzel Walk self-guided tour, explaining 1,000 years of the country’s history in 100 minutes. The one thing he recommends to everyone, however, is to meet Luxembourgers. “A lot of the feedback to that is ‘where do we find Luxembourgers?’ You find them in lots of places, if you look.”

A good starting point, he says, is at the sausage and beer street parties hosted in most communes. But they can also be found volunteering at the scores of notfor-profits operating in Luxembourg.

And sharing information is not just a one-way process, of course. Strørup ­acknowledges he also gets a lot out of the experience. As a student of social sciences who now works in finance, he finds teaching the course incredibly rewarding. And he’s learned a lot as participants share their tips on anything from where to find the best burger to the country’s most multicultural football tournament. × ↳ www.forum-cai.lu

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5 most expensive places to live

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

1

Luxembourg City

Identity Present a valid national identity card or passport.

Family

2

Strassen

The city’s sprawl stretches as far as Strassen, so it’s hard to know where this commune starts, especially when looking at property prices. 2017 figures found people paid on average €6,656 per square metre for an existing flat and €7,994 for a newbuild. In 2018, average apartment rents came out at €22.37 per square metre.

On the plus side, it’s an international commune (6 out of 10 residents are international) with plenty of restaurants and shops in the vicinity.

On the downside, it’s a busy thoroughfare for traffic.

Hesperange

Situated on the southeastern edge of the capital, if you’re buying a newbuild flat, expect to shell out as much as the above three communes (average for 2017 was €7,009 per square metre, and €5,744 for existing flats).

Older flats are a little cheaper. If you’re renting a flat, expect to pay on average €20.28 per square metre. Over half the population is composed of international residents.

The major downside is rush-hour traffic.

If arriving with family, you should also bring your family record book or, if you don’t have one, the certificate of marriage or registered partnership and/or birth certificates for each child.

Depending on the commune, you may need additional documents so it’s worth calling in advance to check.

Translations It is also worth noting that if your documents are in a language other than French, German or English, you’ll need an official translation from an accredited translator. A directory of these translators can be found via www.guichet.lu.

Non-EU citizen If a citizen of a non-EU country, new arrivals must also have a visa or, for a stay longer than 90 days, an authorisation to stay.

Bertrange

Continue on from Strassen, and you’ll get to Bertrange, which is in a similar price bracket to Strassen and Luxembourg City (in 2017, on average €6,012 per square metre for existing flats, €7,294 for newbuilds).

In 2018, average apartment rents were €21.99 per square metre. Despite the fact it has shops, restaurants, a modern swimming pool, an industrial zone and a train station, Bertrange retains its village feel while being multicultural (54% residents are international).

4

Register as a resident All new residents planning to stay in the grand duchy for three months or more must declare their presence at the office of the municipality where they intend to live.

With around 120,000 residents and the vast majority of jobs, high demand for housing in the capital has pushed up prices to astronomical proportions. In 2017, buyers paid between €4,447 and €9,635 per square metre for an existing flat and between €6,197 and €10,262 for a newbuild. The cheapest districts tend to be Bonnevoie and the Gare, though property prices and rents remain eyewateringly high. In 2018, rents in the capital averaged €29.04 per square metre. Among the many advantages of living in the capital are its international demographic--7 out of 10 people are international residents.

3

How to

Deadlines Timing is of the essence if you’re from a non-EU member state.

If this is the case, you must declare your arrival within three days of getting to Luxembourg, regardless of how long you plan to stay.

5

Sandweiler

Another popular hub for international residents, Sandweiler has a handful of shops and restaurants and close access to the airport. In 2017, existing flats sold for on average €5,555 per square metre, while newbuilds went for €6,680. In 2018, renting flats set tenants back on average €20.09 per square metre. Pros are its proximity to nature and major motorways.

Cons are the daily traffic jams that form on the roundabout providing access to the city.

Other steps Any other requirements for citizens of non-EU member states can be found at www.guichet.lu.

Residency Once you’ve declared your arrival, you can apply for a residence certificate for yourself and family.

Photos → Rowan Heuvel/Unsplash → Nader Ghavami → Maison Moderne → Sources: Housing Observatory (Observatoire de l’Habitat) and Statec

20

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22

How to

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Drive in Luxembourg Taxis are pricy in Luxembourg, but public transport coverage is pretty good and starting 1 March 2020, it will be free. That said, and in spite of the often colossal rush-hour traffic jams in the capital, some people like to have the option of driving themselves around--particularly if they are juggling school runs or live in a rural area.

Registering a vehicle

Low emissions cash incentives

People bringing cars to Luxembourg from abroad must register their vehicle within six months of arrival. You’ll need to apply for a registration number, take a civil liability insurance policy, pay the road tax, have your vehicle cleared for customs and fill out an administrative record with the SNCA.

When choosing cars, it’s worth bearing in mind that Luxembourg offers €2,500 cashback on the purchase of a new hybrid plug-in (with emissions below 50g/km), and €5,000 on a fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicle.

Parking permits If you live in the capital, you can apply for a residence parking permit, enabling you to park on-street in your neighbourhood free of charge (and in other neighbourhoods for up to 2 hours). Similar schemes are available in the bigger communes.

5 ways to meet people in Luxembourg Socialising with colleagues at after-work drinks is perhaps the laziest way to meet new people. More fun can be had by putting in some effort.

Sign up for language classes 1

As well as some great private language schools, low-cost language classes are offered at the Institut National des Langues, by communes and some not-for-profits like Moien asbl and Asti. In the classroom, you’ll rub shoulders with people you’re less likely to meet in your daily life. I once sat next to a Luxembourg prince in a language class! But private schools are also great places to meet.

Join a team sport or activity 2

Whether your passion is for acrobatics or Zumba, there is a group for every sporting interest in Luxembourg. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out Facebook for a local group, Meetup.com or ask around.

Say “yes” to every invitation 3

Well, within reason. But do take advantage of the people around you to help find your flock.

4

↑

Roadworthiness certificate If you buy or lease a car in Luxembourg, you won’t need to go through all these steps.

However, you will have to pay road tax, insurance and put your vehicle through a roadworthiness test known as the “contrôle technique”. Tests can be booked online via www.snct.lu.

Remember to book well in advance because appointments fill up fast. If you turn up without an appointment, try charming the staff at the reception desk and they will do their best to get you booked in as soon as the next day in some cases.

↑

Get a new hobby

There are tons of groups for specialist interests in Luxembourg, many of them free. From conservation to book clubs, to sewing and creative writing, check out meetup.com, Facebook and Eventbrite to see what’s out there.

Driving licence If you obtained your driving licence from a non-EU member country, you’ll need to convert your licence into a Luxembourg licence within a year of taking up residence.

It costs €30. Failure to convert the licence means your licence is no longer valid in Luxembourg and you’ll have to pass a driving test in Luxembourg. Guichet.lu takes people through the steps. Happy driving!

5

Get a dog

Luxembourg is a very dog-friendly country with dog parks and meetups for dogwalkers.

Plus, walking that pooch twice a day means you’re more likely to encounter potential friends while out and about.

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ASSISTANCE AND MEMBER BENEFITS > ACL Road assistance 24 / 7 (in Luxembourg & in Europe) via eCall Mobile app > ACL Advantages Partner programs (airport parkings & hotels, SYC, AAA etc) > ACL Assistance HOME 24 / 7 (heater, water, locksmith etc) > ACL Bike Assistance > ACL Welcome (helpdesk for new arrivals to Luxembourg, relocation etc) > ACL Assistance PETS > Cancellation and travel health insurances

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Download on the

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How to

Pass for a local EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

If you’re the studious type, it’s worth signing up for the “contrat d’accueil et d’intégration” (CAI), a two-year programme in which you’ll attend two different workshops to better understand Luxembourg and be entitled to three free courses in one of the country’s three languages. You can sign up for the CAI via the integration agency OLAI.

5 apps to help you get settled Make your settling in experience easier with these smartphone applications.

1

Doctena.lu

Find a GP or specialist doctor near you and book an appointment with this handy free app.

2

Santé.lu

Whether you need to find a pharmacy or doctor open out of hours or your nearest A&E, this official app of the Luxembourg health ministry is one to download early before those crisis moments strike.

3

Mon sac bleu

A lifestyle app to help residents with recycling. It explains which items can be placed in the blue Valorlux recycling bags and when to leave them out for collection.

4

↑

↑

Dine out on Sundays

Get a dog

It really is a Luxembourg thing!

Don’t believe me? Then, head for any decent restaurant at Sunday lunchtime and see it for yourself.

Luxembourgers are on the whole besotted with dogs. If you have a pooch or can borrow one, you’ll fit right in and meet plenty of Luxembourgers while you’re at it.

ACL app

The Automobile Club of Luxembourg has a range of services for motorists and even insurance for cyclists. Its app offers e-call mobile assistance and traffic information.

Languages of Luxembourg 5 5

A free app, LL5 helps users learn five of the most important languages in Luxembourg: Luxembourgish, French, German, English and Portuguese.

↑

↑

Get on your bike

Don’t pose for a selfie with the prime minister

Luxembourg boasts four Tour de France winners and when the cycling hordes hit the roads at weekends you’ll see that this sport is more than just an armchair affair--people love to cycle here!

Xavier Bettel can often be seen at public events. If you happen to bump into him, don’t ask for a selfie. It’s a tell-tale sign that you’re not from here.

Photos → LaLa La Photo → Shutterstock → Patrick Galbats

24

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26

EMBASSIES & CONSULATES

Italy

United Kingdom

Fare

icon_where 5 rue Marie-Adélaïde

icon_where 5 boulevard Joseph II

icon_website www.fare.lu

L-2128 Luxembourg

L-1840 Luxembourg

icon_website www.amblussemburgo.esteri.it

icon_website www.gov.uk

Austria

icon_info F11

icon_info F12

icon_where 3 rue des Bains

Ireland

United States

icon_where 28 route d'Arlon

icon_where 2 boulevard Emmanuel Servais

L-1212 Luxembourg icon_website www.bmeia.gv.at

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

icon_info E12

icon_website www.housebrokers.lu

L-1140 Luxembourg

L-2335 Luxembourg

icon_website www.dfa.ie

icon_website lu.usembassy.gov

Belgium

icon_info E10

icon_info D11

icon_where 4 rue des Girondins

Japan

L-1626 Luxembourg icon_website www.diplomatie.belgium.be icon_info G11

icon_where 62 avenue de la Faïencerie L-1510 Luxembourg

PROPERTY LISTINGS

icon_website www.lu.emb-japan.go.jp

Cape Verde

icon_info D11

Athome.lu

icon_where 9B boulevard Prince Henri

Netherlands

icon_website www.athome.lu

L-1724 Luxembourg icon_mail ambcvlux@pt.lu icon_info E11

icon_where 6 rue Sainte-Zithe L-2763 Luxembourg icon_website www.netherlandsandyou.nl

China

icon_info F11

icon_where 2 rue Antoine-François Van Der Meule

Poland

L-2152 Luxembourg icon_website www.lu.china-embassy.org icon_info B13

Bazar.lu icon_website www.bazar.lu

Habiter.lu icon_website www.habiter.lu

icon_where 24 rue Guillaume Schneider L-2522 Luxembourg icon_website www.luksemburg.msz.gov.pl

Immo.lu

Czech Republic

icon_info D11

icon_website www.immo.lu

icon_where 2 rond-point Robert Schuman

Portugal

Immotop.lu

icon_where 282 route de Longwy

icon_website www.immotop.lu

L-2525 Luxembourg icon_website www.mzv.cz icon_info E11

L-1940 Luxembourg icon_website www.luxemburgo.embaixadaportugal.

France

mne.pt

Luximmobilier.lu

icon_info F9

icon_website www.luximmobilier.lu

Romania

Wortimmo.lu

icon_info E11

icon_where 2 rue de Pulvermuhl

icon_website www.wortimmo.lu

Germany

icon_website www.mae.ro

icon_where 8 boulevard Joseph II L-1840 Luxembourg icon_website www.lu.ambafrance.org

House Brokers

L-2356 Luxembourg

Homexperts Estate agent selection advisors. icon_website www.homexperts.lu

Inowai icon_website www.inowai-residential.lu

JLL icon_website www.jllr.lu

Laforêt icon_website www.laforet.lu

Nexvia icon_website www.nexvia.lu

No Agent icon_website www.noagent.lu

Re/Max icon_website www.remax.lu

Residence Luxembourg icon_website www.myresidence.lu

Savills Luxembourg icon_website www.savills.lu

Unicorn

icon_info F14

REAL ESTATE

Russia

Adequat Immobilier

Weckbecker

icon_where 116 Rue Cyprien Merjai

icon_website www.adequat-immobilier.lu

icon_website www.weckbecker.lu

icon_website www.unicorn.lu

icon_where 21 avenue Emile Reuter L-2420 Luxembourg icon_website www.luxemburg.diplo.de icon_info E11

L-2145, Luxembourg

Greece

icon_website www.en.ambruslu.com icon_info A12

icon_where 27 rue Marie-Adélaïde L-2128 Luxembourg icon_website www.mfa.gr

Spain

icon_info F11

icon_where 4 boulevard Emmanuel Servais

Hungary

icon_website www.exteriores.gob.es

L-2535 Luxembourg

icon_info D11

icon_where 3 rue des Bains L-1212 Luxembourg icon_website brusszel.mfa.gov.hu

Axento Immo icon_website www.axento.lu

Century 21 icon_website www.century21.lu

CK House & Realty icon_website www.houserealty.lu

icon_where 49 rue Siggy vu Lëtzebuerg

Engel & Völkers

icon_website www.luksemburg.be.mfa.gov.tr icon_info C10

In-Lease icon_where 2 rue d'Arlon

Turkey L-1933 Luxembourg

FURNITURE RENTAL

icon_website www.engelvoelkers.lu

L-8399 Windhof icon_website www.in-lease.com icon_info H3

REMOVALS

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Post Luxembourg

Amcham

SFR Luxembourg icon_phone 26 10 23 01

icon_where Belair, Limpertsberg & Merl

The business chamber organises newcomers orientation courses.

icon_phone 27 61 61 1

icon_phone 43 17 56

icon_website www.key-inn.com

icon_website www.amcham.lu

Luxembourg City Youth Hostel

Welcome and integration contract (CAI)

FMI Immobilier icon_phone 24 83 24 83

Daleiden icon_phone 26 19 68 67 icon_website www.daleiden.lu

Déménagements Faber icon_phone 59 49 44 icon_mail info@demenagements-faber.lu icon_website www.demenagements-faber.lu

icon_website www.fmi.lu

Key Inn Appart Hotel

icon_where 2 rue du Fort Olisy

International Removal Firms icon_phone 20 30 14 73 icon_mail info@groupespiroux.com icon_website www.spirouxdemenagements.lu

Nadin

L-2261 Luxembourg icon_phone 26 27 66 650 icon_website www.youthhostels.lu icon_info E13

SHS Suite Home Sweet icon_where Luxembourg City & Strassen icon_mail concierge@suite-home-sweet.com

icon_mail info@nadin.eu

icon_website www.suite-home-sweet.com

Streff icon_phone 31 09 21 icon_mail service@streff.lu icon_website www.streff.lu

TEMPORARY FURNISHED ACCOMMODATION Airbnb

Studio Lux City icon_where 16 rue d'Anvers L-1130 Luxembourg icon_info G12

Vistay apartments icon_where 37-39 rue de Beggen L-1221 Luxembourg icon_phone 691 904 904 icon_website www.vistay.lu icon_info B12

FLAT & HOUSE SHARING

icon_website www.airbnb.com

Apart2stay icon_where 34 place de la Gare L-2417 Luxembourg icon_website apart2stay.hotels-in-luxembourg.com icon_info G12

Cab Ap'Art icon_where 29 rue Philippe II L-2340 Luxembourg icon_phone 621 672 679 icon_mail cabaparts@gmail.com icon_website www.cabaparts.eu

Appartager icon_website www.appartager.lu

Colocation – Luxembourg icon_website www.colocation-luxembourg.lu

Tango Luxembourg icon_phone 800 77 77 7 icon_website www.tango.lu

SOCIAL SECURITY Caisse pour l’Avenir des Enfants

Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency

The national fund for family allowances is responsible for the payment and management of family benefits.

Public agency for reception and integration affairs. icon_where 5 rue Carlo Hemmer L-1734 Luxembourg icon_phone 24 78 57 03 icon_website www.olai.public.lu icon_info B16

Wirtz Law firm that specializes in immigration and relocation solutions for corporate and private clients. icon_website www.wirtz.lu

TELECOM OPERATORS

icon_where 34 avenue de la Porte-Neuve L-2227 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 71 53 1 icon_website www.cae.public.lu icon_info E11

National Health Fund (Caisse Nationale de Santé) Apply for state health insurance. icon_where 125 route d'EschL-1471 Luxembourg icon_phone 27 57 1 icon_website www.cns.public.lu icon_info H10

Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale Apply for social security number.

Eltrona

icon_where 125 route d'EschL-1112 Luxembourg

icon_phone 49 94 66 888

icon_website www.ccss.lu

icon_website www.eltrona.lu

icon_info H10

Join Experience

UTILITIES

icon_phone 40 14 11

icon_phone 67 10 09 009

Lux Friends

icon_website www.joinexperience.com

icon_phone 26 47 84 47

Luxembourg Online

icon_website www.luxfriends.eu

icon_phone 27 99 00 00 icon_website www.internet.lu

Couch surfing

icon_where 12 route d'Esch

Orange Luxembourg

Short-term sofa accommodation for visitors or new arrivals.

icon_phone 69 14 55 551

icon_phone 800 61 606

icon_website www.vaubanfort.lu

icon_website www.orange.lu

icon_website www.couchsurfing.com

icon_website www.sfr.lu

icon_website www.forum-cai.lu

Vauban & Fort

icon_info F12

icon_website www.post.lu

icon_phone 24 78 57 85 icon_mail cai@olai.etat.lu

icon_phone 39 80 48 icon_website www.nadin.eu

Citizenship training, orientation day and free language classes.

icon_phone 80 02 80 04

L-1470 Luxembourg

icon_info F11

Creos Electricity & natural gas. icon_phone 26 24 26 24 icon_website www.creos-net.lu

Eida Alternative green electricity & gas provider. icon_phone 26 47 47 icon_website www.eida.lu

Settling in

icon_mail info@daleiden.lu

icon_mail info@fmi.lu

27

28

Electris Electricity & natural gas.

CONSUMER RIGHTS

DRIVING

City of Luxembourg

Auto Lux Web

Checkmynet

Information on parking spaces, motorway traffic and police speed controls.

Comprehensive list of car parks in the capital, and application for residence parking permits.

Search for “Car parks and P+R”.

icon_phone 80 02 80 32 icon_website www.electris.lu

Enovos Electricity & natural gas. icon_phone 27 37 1

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

icon_website www.enovos.lu

Home heating fuel icon_website Search for "Mazout" on www.editus.lu

Check your internet access is as good as your provider says it is.

icon_website auto.luxweb.lu

icon_website www.checkmynet.lu

European Consumer Centre Luxembourg Assistance in cross-border disputes.

Automobile Club Luxembourg Breakdown cover, vehicle check prior to roadworthiness test, vehicle & accessories rental, travel planning and purchasing toll passes.

Luxembourg City Service Eaux

icon_where 2A rue Kalchesbruck icon_phone 26 84 64-1

icon_phone 45 00 45 1

Water connection in the capital.

Outside Luxembourg City check with your commune hall.

icon_website cecluxembourg.lu

icon_mail acl@acl.lu

icon_info H5

icon_website www.acl.lu

icon_phone 47 96 25 68 icon_mail lecture@vdl.lu icon_website www.vdl.lu

Luxembourg Energy Office Electricity & gas supplier in Luxembourg City. icon_where 9 boulevard Roosevelt L-2450 Luxembourg icon_phone 26 39 48 48 icon_website www.leoenergy.lu icon_info F12

Nordenergie Electricity in Diekirch & Ettelbruck. icon_phone 27 62 328 0 icon_website www.nordenergie.lu

Steinergy Electricity in Steinfort. icon_phone 27 62 07 40-0 icon_website www.steinergy.lu

Sudgaz Natural gas in Bettembourg, Esch-Alzette, Differdange, Dippach, Garnich, Käerjeng, Kayl, Mondercange, Pétange, Reckange-Mess, Roser, Rumelange, Schifflange and Sanem. icon_phone 55 66 55-1 icon_website www.sudgaz.lu

Sudstroum Natural gas in Esch-Alzette. icon_phone 26 783 787-01 icon_website www.sudstroum.lu

L-1852 Findel

Ombudsman Mediator for complaints against state bodies. icon_where 36 rue du Marché-aux-Herbes L-1728 Luxembourg

icon_where 54 route de Longwy L-8080 Bertrange

icon_info H4

Customs and excise office Formalities for importing a vehicle.

VEHICLE LEASING ALD Automotive icon_website www.aldautomotive.lu

Arval icon_website www.arval.lu

EasyLease icon_website www.easylease.lu

KBC Lease icon_website www.kbclease.lu

icon_phone 28 18 28 18

icon_phone 26 27 01 01

icon_mail douanes@do.etat.lu

icon_website www.ombudsman.lu

icon_website douanes.public.lu

LeasePlan icon_website www.leaseplan.com

icon_info F12

Union Luxembourgeoise des Consommateurs

icon_website www.vdl.lu

Dekra Roadworthiness tests for vehicles. icon_where 4 rue du Puits Romain L-8070 Bertrange icon_phone 27 40 07 91

VEHICLE RENTAL

Consumer protection union.

icon_website dekra-automotive.lu

icon_where 55 rue des Bruyères

icon_info H4

Carloh

Guichet

Lease a car for a few hours from Luxembourg City.

L-1274 Howald icon_phone 49 60 22 1 icon_website www.ulc.lu icon_info I4

TRANSLATION SERVICES Sworn tanslators and interpreters Search for “Liste des traducteurs et interprètes assermentés” on the justice ministry’s website.

Request a disabled parking permit, residence parking permit or pay road tax. icon_website www.guichet.lu

Flex carsharing Lease a car for a few hours from one of 30 stations around the country.

Registration of foreign vehicles & driver licences.

CARPOOLING

icon_phone 28 83 38 82 icon_website www.flex.lu

icon_phone 26 626 400 icon_website snca.public.lu

National Vehicle Testing Centre (SNCT) Roadworthiness tests for vehicles.

icon_mail info@eurotraduc.lu

icon_phone 26 15 62 500

icon_website www.eurotraduc.lu

icon_website www.snct.lu

Traducta

Chargy

icon_phone 45 31 53

Network of electric vehicle charging stations.

icon_website www.traducta.lu

icon_website www.carloh.lu

National Society of Automotive Traffic (SNCA)

icon_website www.mj.public.lu

Eurotraduc Luxembourg

icon_phone 20 60 20 01

icon_website www.chargy.lu

Blablacar icon_website www.blablacar.fr

Copilote icon_website www.copilote.lu

Karzoo icon_website www.karzoo.lu

Ride2Go icon_website www.acl.lu/Ride2Go

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30

Daily life

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Once you have settled in Luxembourg, you will discover that the grand duchy is both familiar and like no other place you have lived in. Navigating daily life without someone to hold your hand can be daunting for the expat, even if you are au fait with one or more of the country’s three official languages. So, we have a whole bunch of tips and recommendations, sage advice from long-term settlers, life hacks and practical information that will help you feel more at home and allow you to get through the average day with a smile on your face as you realise you are living in one of the greatest little countries in the world. → See listings starting on page 42

photo

Mike Zenari

31

32

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Daily life

Make a contribution Journalist Wendy Winn has seen epochal changes in Luxembourg, and in herself, since she arrived from the United States in the late 80s. words

A

Duncan Roberts

sked when she first landed in Luxembourg, Wendy Winn recalls that Bobby McFerrin’s hit ‘Don’t Worry, Be ­ Happy’ was the soundtrack of the time, and figures it was therefore 1988. “I had just finished my master’s degree and I thought it was now or never to uproot before I grew deeper roots in the US. I didn’t really think of it as permanent. I just wanted to experience Europe.” Like many expats who also thought their stay in the grand duchy would be fleeting, Wendy is still here 31 years later and has landed a job at the European Commission. And, thanks to a 5-year stint as editor-in-chief of a weekly English-language newspaper and her current role as presenter of Ara Radio’s weekly

photo

Matic Zorman

“Happy Hour” chat show every Thursday, Wendy had become a permanent fixture on the media scene. “I love being with people, which is why I love journalism and doing radio. But I also love solitude, which is why I like writing, art, walking in the woods. I would also say I am appreciative and curious about life in general--I get excited about small things, which is why I write poetry and take about 50 photos a day. I somehow want to capture it all.”

One of the epochal events that changed Luxembourg for the better, she says, was when it first reigned as the European Capital of Culture in 1995. “I felt a shift--and it’s continued to become more culturally exciting and alive ever since.” But she has also

discerned an openness, a growing youthfulness and sense of fun and optimism that wasn’t here before. “Back in the 80s, ­Luxembourg seemed to be kind of a still life by an old Dutch master and now it seems more like a Keith Haring,” she explains.

“Another big change is that English is spoken… like, nearly everywhere. That wasn’t the case back then.” The dawn of the internet and cell phones has also created a huge social and cultural shift, though this is not particular to Luxembourg.

Being a journalist not only gave Wendy the opportunity to meet people, but also the skills to do so. “I used to be shy, and it was through having to talk to people that I got over it. I wouldn’t say I gained confidence so much as I learned how to disappear. In some ways, being shy is egotistical, because you care so much about what people think of you. The way to get over it is to put your focus on other people.”

Another way that helped Wendy connect was by sending her children to state schools, which allowed them to have friends in the neighbourhood and the family to feel part of their community.

“Because Luxembourg is so multilingual, it is possible to get by without speaking Luxembourgish. But it’s like swimming with an inflatable ring. You’re not really immersed; you’re missing out.”

Having recently watched Julianne Moore star in “Gloria Best”, Wendy concurs with the message of the film. “Do what makes you happy, be open to new things and don’t lose your sense of fun and adventure--which is good advice.” As for her own advice to new arrivals, ­Wendy says “don’t do exactly the same things you would back home. You might discover things about yourself as you discover things about Luxembourg--but only if you at least meet it halfway.”

And she urges people to get involved and integrate. “Like an overnight guest, you should leave things in a better state than when you arrived. You don’t have to do something so big that they name a street after you. You can just be friendly, but make a contribution somehow.” × ↳ www.ara.lu

34

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

School time

The greatest little country Ara City Radio presenter Vanessa Phelan is a relative newcomer to the grand duchy. She talks about the challenges, and joys, of setting up life in Luxembourg. words

C

Duncan Roberts

oming to Luxembourg was not in the plans for Vanessa Phelan or her husband Diarmuid until coincidences gave them food for thought. New York native Vanessa had been living and working in Dublin for 13 years--following an ambition she had as a youngster when she visited Irish family every summer--and had just been made redundant. Diarmuid, whom she met in Dublin, had just finished his chartered accountancy exams. “We were both ready for a change but didn’t really have a plan.” But following a recruitment fair and a Skype interview, Diarmuid landed a job in Luxembourg. “It all happened very quickly and unexpectedly. So, we had to scramble to find out where and

photo

Matic Zorman

what is Luxembourg.” Vanessa had been through Luxembourg on a bus trip from ­Strasbourg, where she had been studying, to Amsterdam, but had little idea about the country. Indeed, the fact that French was one of the official languages was a draw for Vanessa rather than moving to a country where neither of them understood the language. “Plus, it is like going to France, without having to go to France.”

The couple did all their research on their own rather than use a relocation company. “We were clueless about where to live or finding a crèche [for daughter Grace, then just over 1].” After taking a furnished apartment for 3 months to give them breathing space and time to seek a

more permanent home, they eventually settled in Belair and placed Grace in a French-speaking crèche. In September 2019, she will start pre-schooling classes in the Luxembourg public education system.

“That will be a challenge for everyone,” says Vanessa. She has experience as a teacher at primary schools in France but helping Grace with homework in German--the language in which pupils at Luxembourg primary school are taught to read and write--will be daunting.

The couple also found it rather daunting finding a home--“dealing with agencies… a lot of fees, money that you don’t get back”--and even were involved in a lawsuit with their first landlord. Indeed, one of the big changes they noticed since living in Luxembourg is a lack of spontaneity. “The Irish attitude is ‘ah, sure, it’s grand’ and anything goes. Here, you have to be quite organised. If you want to go for something to eat and it’s not between 12 and 2 or 6 and 9, it can be quite difficult.”

On the other hand, they have been pleasantly surprised by the facilities for kids, the benefits for crèche and healthcare.

“I say it’s one of the greatest little countries that you don’t hear anything about. It is very good not just to its citizens, but to people who come to live and work from elsewhere.”

Vanessa and her family have also taken advantage of the grand duchy’s location to take day trips to Metz and Trier, weekends away in Maastricht, Paris and recently undertook a rather more ambitious road trip that took in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, ­Italy and Switzerland.

She has also landed on her feet at Ara City, whom she contacted on spec. She had taken a broadcasting course in ­Dublin and then worked on a temporary rock radio station. She was eventually invited to fill in when one of the regular presenters, Marina Lai, took maternity leave. “We have a pool of listeners that are quite vocal about their likes and dislikes and really participate in the show.”

Her advice for newcomers who may find themselves in a similar position? “Use Facebook groups to ask for advice or help.

Brush up on your languages and keep an open mind--it is unlike any other place I’ve been. But don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t fit in with your ideas.” × ↳ www.aracityradio.com

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35

Settling in

interview

Daily life

The networking king Master of ceremonies and event organiser Jim Kent has an address book to rival few others in Luxembourg. words

W

Duncan Roberts

hen he was sharing a bathroom with “13 hairy Belgians in Neudorf” when he first arrived in Luxembourg in June 2001, Jim Kent could have been forgiven for giving up on the grand duchy. He was earning a meagre wage as the breakfast DJ for the then still emerging Ara City Radio--a job for which he had moved to Luxembourg.

But Kent can be credited with making Ara City a commercial venture and much of that is down to his talent for networking and getting names into his little black book.

In those early days, he spent the majority of his salary in The Britannia, and after 6 months began to meet many, many people.

“This was before Facebook and other social media. So, I went out every night to meet

photo

Matic Zorman

people. A good strategy, which still holds true today, was to make friends with the bar staff. If they welcome you by name, the rest of the bar takes notice.”

Kent has seen some major changes over the past two decades in Luxembourg.

“It has lost part of its East German charm and has become rather gentrified, which is a shame,” he jokes. “Seriously, I think, when I arrived, expats expected to be here for much longer. The current millennials and post-millennials are far more mobile in every way.”

Among the friends Kent has made over the years are numerous Luxembourgers.

“I think that is key for any expat. It will change the way you feel about the country,”

he explains. “And you don’t need to speak Luxembourgish to achieve this.” Full of advice, Kent also says that residents of the capital city should make an effort to get out at the weekends. “Otherwise you think the whole country is just the 24 neighbourhoods of the city.” He has lived in Roeser as well as various parts of the capital, but recommends, with a smile, that “nobody should live further away from the city than a €250 taxi journey”.

A socialite in every sense, Kent gets invitations to events several times a week and usually takes them up. “Also, every nationality has its annual function. Go to it!” he says. He cites, for example, the ­Indian association Diwali event as one that he regularly attends. But he is also asked to be the master of ceremonies at numerous events, including the Rose of Tralee ball and the Kanner Wonsch charity gala. He is also adept at creating events and was instrumental in helping set up speed dating in Luxembourg back in 2003 and the Comedy Club Luxembourg in 2012.

In January 2015, Kent left Luxembourg and spent four years in Spain, where he also ran an emerging English-language radio station. He returned in February 2019 and is currently exploring new business opportunities. He has retained many of his old contacts and has launched a pub quiz at Craft Corner in Bonnevoie. And he has also been hosting and moderating Eures training events around Europe.

Meeting the opposite sex, or the same sex for that matter, for potential romantic liaisons has also changed with the dawn of dating and meeting apps. “All the attractive women have moved from Tinder to Bumble,” Kent says. “The difference is that it is only the women who can start a conversation on Bumble. And language lessons used to be a great way to meet people, but unfortunately, nobody does it in groups anymore.”

Kent has a swathe of other advice and gems of trivia. “Germans in the Moselle valley treat expats as though they are exotic, which is an advantage. Whereas Belgians on the border seem to think expats are a pain.”

And new arrival expats from certain parts of North America and the UK should be aware that “people don’t chat on busses”. × icon_linked_in Jim Kent

Ways to be a nice neighbour

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Getting to know your neighbours is easier said than done. A few simple gestures can go a long way.

1 Bring your bins in the day they were collected or as close to. Unless your residence has someone to do that for you (if so, lucky you!), don’t leave the bins out longer than necessary.

It’s a sure-fire way to irk those neighbours.

In a house

Pick up groceries Allow people their privacy. If your terrace looks out on a neighbour’s terrace, don’t treat it as an extension of your dustbin. If you have to store recycling there, keep it in containers and empty it regularly.

4

↳ www.auchandrive.lu

Invite your neighbours over for a drink on New Year’s Day or other public holidays.

2 Don’t block driveways. If you are having a party, why not ask your neighbour in advance if your guests can park in their driveway or on the street in front of their house.

Let them know if you’re having house guests.

Yes, it’s really none of their business, but if you have visitors who are staying for a few days and have use of your house key while you’re at work, it may save a confrontation or a visit from the police when the neighbours spot a “stranger” entering your house.

4

Keep your garden tidy. Luxembourgers are very particular about being neat, and a back yard strewn with dismantled car parts, rotting plastic paddling pools from the previous summer or old furniture will get on the nerves of many neighbours.

When you order your groceries online from Auchan Drive, you can choose to collect them at one of four pickup points in Cloche d’Or, Bertrange, Foetz or Munsbach.

5

3 In winter, don’t keep your engine running in front of your neighbour’s house or an adjacent driveway. If you don’t have garage space, then sorry, but you’re just going to have to scrape away the ice from your windshield.

1

Groceries to your door

↳ www.luxcaddy.lu

2

3 Most homes in Luxembourg do not have fitted carpets, which means that sound can easily travel between apartments. If returning late at night, consider removing heels when you enter the flat.

The internet is no longer simply being used to order takeaway dishes from your favourite restaurant. Supermarkets and other grocery delivery services are also enjoying a boom.

With a huge choice of quality produce, including a superb butcher section from Kirsch Le Boucher, and a wide range of organic products, Luxcaddy is the best online grocery for our money. Free delivery options (including Saturdays) when ordering over a certain amount, depending on where you live. What’s more, the website is available in English.

In apartment buildings

If your laundry room is close to private flats, think twice before you switch on the washing machine or dryer after 9 p.m. or before 8 a.m.

Food and grocery deliveries and pick-up

5 Lend and borrow tools. This is not only a great way to get to know your neighbours but can save you a small fortune at the hardware store or garden centre if you need a Kärcher power cleaner or a circular saw. And if you do grow an abundance of fruit or vegetables in your garden, why not share the bounty.

Takeaway delivery Takeaway.com is a platform that allows diners to choose the amount of their order and how much, if anything, they are willing to pay for delivery.

Webfood and Foostix have a great choice of restaurants. But best is to order directly from your favourite pizzeria, Indian or sushi place.

Scandinavian restaurant Happ delivers a range of healthy food packages or juice bags. ↳ www.takeaway.com www.webfood.lu www.foostix.com www.happ.lu

Cook your own Avocado offers a range of tailored recipe options and then delivers the ingredients, a lot of them regional and organic, and the recipes to your home in an insulated box. ↳ www.avocado.lu

Photos → Tom Byrom (Unsplash) → Jan Hanrion (Maison Moderne)

36

Braderie Luxemburg-city streetmarket 2nd september

90 years

A multi-purpose deposit system designed in Luxembourg to transport meals. Whether at the restaurant, canteen or takeaway, the ECOBOX can be used almost everywhere.

MÉI LAANG GENÉISSEN

The multiple use of the ECOBOX will eliminate many disposable packagings. This initiative reduces the volume of waste because it does not only scale down the number of packages, but also the amount of food waste.

www.ecobox.lu info@ecobox.lu

Find your ECOBOX providers at www.ecobox.lu A campaign of :

Partners :

How to

38

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Claim back health bill payment The majority of healthcare services in Luxembourg operate on an upfront payment basis.

This means you’ll either pay for the treatment at the end of an appointment or receive a bill in the post. Don’t panic! If you pay contributions from your earnings to the National Health Fund, or Caisse Nationale de Santé, you’ll be able to claim a reimbursement for up to 80% of treatments covered by the service.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you just don’t care, then you will be aware of the trend to reduce waste, and especially the use of plastic.

Here are some ways you can contribute.

1

Shop package free

The Ouni package-free store has proved so popular it is planning to open a second outlet in Dudelange. The original store, in rue Glesener in Luxembourg City, opened in December 2016 after a crowdfunding campaign. ↳ www.ouni.lu

2

Use the blue bag

Your commune organises rubbish collections, including regular pickups of the Valorlux blue bags for recycling all sorts of plastic and metal containers and drinks cartons. You can also collect the blue bags free of charge directly from the reception desk of your town hall.

Buy a Süperbag and an Eco-sac 3

Introduced in June 2019 by the waste reduction company Valorlux and retail federation CLC, the Süperbag costs 35 cents and can be used to replace single-use plastic bags when buying loose fruits and vegetables in a range of supermarkets throughout the grand duchy. The Eco-sac is a “bag for life” that can be purchased at the checkouts at most supermarkets. ↳ www.valorlux.lu

2

No stamp is required.

3 Remember to keep a scanned copy for your own records.

4 When you first send the invoice, include your bank account details (IBAN and BIC) on a “relevé d’identité bancaire”, which your bank will issue you. Your details will then be stored by the CNS for future reimbursements.

5 Each time you request a reimbursement, ensure the request includes your surname, first name, address and 13-digit identification number.

6 When you move home, don’t forget to update your address online with the CNS.

↳ www.cns.public.lu/en

Photos → Matic Zorman

Plastic reduction tips

1 Send the original invoice, plus proof of payment (if you didn’t pay at the end of the consultation) by post to the CNS: Service de Remboursement, 125 route d’Esch, L-2980 Luxembourg.

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How to

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Leave your comfort zone By shaking up your daily routine, you might rediscover something new about the grand duchy. Here’s a few tips to get started.

International shops From Asian and Indian, Swedish to Irish: the international shops in Luxembourg seem unlimited. Pop into one of them to discover exotic spices and other products. Often, the shopkeepers will be happy to teach you how to cook a new dish, so you won’t have to keep cooking Gromperekichelcher.

Solo date ↑

Conversation starter Several language cafés exist in Luxembourg City and beyond. These are a great way to practise your language skills in a comfortable environment while meeting new people.

Not a fan of groups? Opt to find a tandem partner through one of the many social media language cafés in Luxembourg, like Café des Langues, or via online sites (www.italki.com is a good one).

No date? No worries. Be confident. Grab a drink or dinner on your own. Book a massage.

See a film. Or just see where your day takes you.

You may feel shy at first, but try it anyway: you may not realise it, but you'll be more open to experiences, and you may find it easier to strike up conversation with a restauranteur, a passer-by or another solo artist.

Everyone loves finding ways to make life easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Delano has been running an online series of “Lux hacks” and here provides tips on getting the most out of getting around in the grand duchy.

1

Winter motoring

Everyone knows by now--thanks to this guide--that winter tyres are obligatory in Luxembourg when road conditions are snowy or icy.

But you should also: have a mechanic check your battery for voltage; use high-quality no-freeze screenwash fluid; pack a few basics such as a torch, blankets, mittens and hats, a shovel and non-perishable high-energy food like dried fruit.

And did you know that cat litter can be used for better tyre traction, or to melt snow or ice? More advice and car checks for winter are available from the Automobile Club Luxembourg. ↳ www.acl.lu

2

Cycle safely

“Be assertive but do not put yourself in danger, and ride in the middle of the traffic lane,” says one cyclist Delano spoke with. Make sure you have very bright lights and wear a reflective vest when cycling in the dark is the advice of Kasia Krzyzanowski from Cycle Luxembourg.

And if you are using pedal power to commute, then consider investing in an e-bike to handle Luxembourg’s hills and avoid arriving at work all sweaty. ↳ www.cycleluxembourg.lu

Use periphery car parks 3

Turn off autopilot By simply changing your walk home or taking an alternative route, you’re changing your routine, creating new mental pathways that can change your thinking. Other ideas: try brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, or getting up earlier to take a moment for meditation before the day begins.

Luxembourg transport hacks

↑

Volunteer Sometimes we get so caught up in our own daily lives that things can get blown out of proportion. Volunteering not only allows you to do good for someone else, but it can help get you out of your own mind a bit. Check our listings for several recommendations.

If you have to drive into the city centre when it is busy, head straight for the underground car parks on avenue Monterey or the Rocade de Bonnevoie. You will usually find a space and can enjoy a brisk 5-minute stroll into the centre rather than queuing in your car for 15 minutes to get a space in the Knuedler or place du Théâtre car parks (though doing so would qualify you as a “real” Luxembourger). You can always check for real-time availability on the City of Luxembourg website. ↳ www.vdl.lu

mobiliteit.lu

2465 2465

mobiliteit.lu

mobile apps

© 06/2019 Verkéiersverbond

Find the fastest way across Luxembourg by bus, train, tram or on foot with our journey planner app!

42

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Au Gourmet Grec icon_website

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Eirelux icon_website

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Enoteca Italiana icon_website

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Home from Home icon_website

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Scan Shop icon_website

www.scanshop.lu

Tandoori Market icon_website

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SUPERMARKETS Aldi icon_website

www.aldi.lu

Alima icon_website

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ORGANIC & NATURAL PRODUCTS BioLux Organic Products icon_website

icon_website

www.auchan.lu

Cactus icon_website

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www.cora.lu

Delhaize

icon_website

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www.leroymerlin.fr

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Brakonier

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Nature Elements

Carrerouge

DM-Drogerie Markt

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icon_website

icon_website

www.naturelements.lu

Niessen organic butchers icon_website

www.niessen.lu

Ouni icon_website

LOCAL PRODUCE There are weekly, bi-weekly or monthly markets in several towns. www.visitluxembourg.com

Boucherie Salaisons Meyer icon_website

www.meyer.lu

icon_website

icon_website

Local cider and perry maker; offers tours. icon_website

www.ramborn.com

icon_website

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Happ icon_website www.happ.lu

Hello Fresh icon_website

www.hellofresh.lu

www.mueller.de

Parfumeries Milady

icon_where 69 parc d’activités Mamer-Cap

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Möbel Martin icon_website

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Reed & Simon icon_website

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Tapis Hertz www.tapishertz.lu

Troc icon_website

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DIY/HOME IMPROVEMENT Bauhaus icon_website

www.avocado.lu

www.conforama.lu

Kichechef

icon_website

Ramborn

www.dm.de

Müller Drogerie

icon_website

Farmers markets

www.carrerouge.lu

Conforama

www.ouni.lu

Avocado

www.pallcenter.lu

www.abitare-living.lu

Leroy Merlin

Naturata

Pall Center

Lidl

HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR

icon_website

icon_facebook Lidl Luxembourg

www.delhaize.lu

www.lespaniersdesandrine.lu

Abitare Living

PRODUCE AND MEAL DELIVERY

icon_website

icon_website

Mullebutz

icon_website

Auchan

www.biolux.lu

Les Paniers de Sandrine

www.bauhaus.lu

Brico icon_website

www.brico.be

Gardencenter+ icon_website

www.gardencenter.lu

Hornbach icon_website

www.hornbach.lu

Planet Parfum icon_website

www.planetparfum.com

Rossmann drugstores icon_website

www.rossmann.de

STYLE Be Bold by Diamany icon_facebook Be Bold by Diamany

Bram icon_website

www.bram.lu

Ezri Kahn icon_facebook Ezri Kahn

Impashion icon_facebook Impashion

Lena icon_website

www.lena.lu

Lët’z Go Local Events feature Luxembourg-based fashion and jewellery brands and other local products. icon_facebook Lët'z go local

Experience results.

FitLine - Experience Results fitline_officialpage

Visit our eshop: www.fitline.com/go/products PM Logistic Center S.a. I 170a, rue de Beggen I L-1220 Luxembourg +352 488 613 I info@pmlux.lu

44

Marché des Créateurs

Belle Etoile

Mudam hosts local and international designers at this twice-yearly “creators market”.

icon_where Bertrange

icon_facebook Mudam Luxembourg Museum

Modu Shop icon_facebook The Modu Shop

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Nuvola Baby icon_facebook Nuvola baby

icon_website

www.belle-etoile.lu

icon_info

H4

Belval Plaza icon_where Esch-Belval icon_website

www.belvalshopping.lu

icon_info

J3

City Concorde icon_where Bertrange

Secondhand4sale icon_website

www.stinebulow.com

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What.Eve.Wears icon_facebook What.Eve.Wears

Yileste icon_facebook Yileste

SPORTING & OUTDOOR GOODS AS Adventure icon_website

www.asadventure.com

Asport icon_website

www.asport.lu

Decathlon icon_website

icon_info

H4

Cloche d’Or icon_where Cloche d’Or icon_website

www.lco.lu

icon_info

J11

Knauf Shopping Centre icon_where Pommerloch icon_website

www.knaufshopping.lu

icon_info

D2

DRY CLEANERS 5àsec icon_website

Bubble’N’Lock icon_website

www.bubblenlock.lu

Klin icon_website

www.klin.lu

HOUSEHOLD SERVICES

Auchan Kirchberg icon_info

B16

L-2730 Luxembourg

Most expats will be covered by this public health insurer (Caisse Nationale de Santé) and will be enrolled via employers. icon_website

cns.public.lu

CMCM Mutual insurer that provides top-up coverage. icon_website

www.cmcm.lu

DKV Private supplementary health insurance. icon_website

www.dkv.lu

Luxembourg Air Rescue Emergency medical air rescue and repatriation coverage. icon_website

www.lar.lu

PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

G11

Maison Médicale Esch icon_where 70 rue Émile Mayrisch L-4240 Esch-Alzette icon_info

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Maison Médicale Ettelbruck icon_where 110 avenue Lucien Salentiny L-9080 Ettelbruck icon_info

E4

ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg icon_where 4 rue Ernest Barblé L-1210 Luxembourg icon_website

www.chl.lu

icon_info

H4

Doctena

Centre Hospitalier du Nord

Online appointment service.

icon_where 120 avenue Salentiny

icon_website

en.doctena.lu

Centre Médical Luxembourg icon_website

www.cmilux.lu

L-9080 Ettelbruck icon_website

www.chdn.lu

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E4

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www.chem.lu

Appilux

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Centre Médical Merl

www.appilux.lu

Batmaid icon_website

www.batmaid.lu

Extra Time icon_website

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www.cmm.lu

www.centremedicalmerl.lu

Immaculate Cleaning Services Luxembourg icon_mail contact@icsl.lu

Privilege Services icon_facebook Privilege Services

L-4240 Esch-Alzette

Hôpital Kirchberg icon_where 9 rue Edward Steichen L-2540 Luxembourg

AFTERHOURS DOCTOR

www.extratime.lu

icon_where Kirchberg icon_info Auchan.lu

icon_info

icon_where Rue Emile Mayrisch

icon_info Peters Sports

SHOPPING CENTRES

National Health Fund

icon_where 59 rue Michel Welter

Centre Médical Mercure

www.freelanders.lu

Peters Sports

Maison Médicale Centre

www.5asec.lu

www.decathlon.fr

Freelander’s icon_website

www.concorde.lu

www.secondhand4sale.com

Stine Bülow Goldsmith icon_website

icon_website

HEALTH INSURANCE

There are 3 Medical Houses (Maisons Médicales de Garde) which provide medical care evenings, weekends and holidays without an appointment.

Important: after midnight, first telephone 112 and ask to speak with the physician on duty (médecin de garde).

icon_website

www.hkb.lu

icon_info

B16

PAEDIATRIC CARE Children’s Hospital (Kannerklinik) A&E and drop-in urgent care. icon_where 4 rue Ernest Barblé L-1210 Luxembourg icon_website

kannerklinik.chl.lu

icon_info

H4

Let’s talk “Cocktail” another way

The new fun summertime drink is called mocktail !

It looks like a cocktail… but without alcohol !

Prepare your mojito with apple juice and enjoy the sunny days !

Discover all of our summer accessories in our

Look up our recipe for this delicious mocktail and get inspired on

mycactus.lu

The magazine that brings the City into your home All the tips, news and agenda you need is in City

46

Clinique Bohler’s Paediatric Polyclinic Drop-in urgent care. icon_where 5 rue Edward Steichen

ANIMAL SHELTERS

L-2540 Luxembourg

Déierenasyl

icon_website

www.cbk.lu

icon_website

icon_info

B16

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Centre de pédiatrie du Val-Ste-Croix Primary care physicians. icon_where 4 allée Léopold Goebel L-1635 Luxembourg icon_website

www.centredepediatrie.lu

icon_info

E10

FAMILY PLANNING CENTRES Planning Familial Family planning and sexual health services at clinics in Luxembourg, Esch-Belval and Ettelbruck. icon_website

www.planningfamilial.lu

DENTISTS Doctena Book a dentist appointment online. icon_website

en.doctena.lu

VETERINARIANS Emergency vet on duty icon_website

www.lak.lu/fr/lak/emergency-contacts

Dudelange regional animal shelter

Bike sharing scheme for Luxem­ bourg City, Bertrange, Hesperange, Leudelange and Strassen.

icon_website

icon_website

URGENT SITUATIONS

www.asile.lu

Vël’OK

Police

icon_website

Bike sharing scheme for EschAlzette, Bettembourg, Differdange, Dudelange, Kayl, Sanem and Schifflange.

icon_phone 113

www.sos-animaux.lu

WILD ANIMALS

icon_website

Wild animal care centre (Centre de Soins pour la Faune Sauvage)

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Mobility Centre (Mobilitéitszentral) Central information point for all public transport options in the grand duchy, including bus, shuttle services, tram and train.

Book a vet appointment online. icon_website

en.vetolib.vet/veterinarian/Luxembourg

www.velok.lu

Mamer Vélo Bike sharing scheme for Mamer, Capellen and Holzem. icon_website

www.mamer.lu/environnementmobilite mobilite/velo/

Cycle paths I want to ride my bicycle… on the country’s network of cycling paths (pistes cyclables). icon_website

www.pistescyclables.lu

TAXIS Colux icon_website

www.colux.lu

icon_where Central train station (Gare centrale) L-1616 Luxembourg icon_phone 24 65 24 65

My Taxi Luxembourg

icon_website

www.mobiliteit.lu

icon_website www.mytaxiluxembourg.lu

icon_info

G12

TRANSPORT

icon_website

Fire and rescue brigade icon_phone 112

icon_phone 26 51 39 90

The bus company organises tours and excursions and also operates several regular bus routes.

Vetolib

www.veloh.lu

www.repaircafe.lu

SOS Animaux

icon_website

icon_facebook SOS VET

Instead of throwing away goods, try to repair them at these regular events. icon_website

Emile Frisch

SOS Vet

Repair Café Luxembourg

Vel’oh

www.deierenasyl.lu

Dr Olivia Shoenfeld www.vetcare.lu

BICYCLE, BICYCLE, BICYCLE!

Webtaxi icon_website

www.webtaxi.lu

Problem?

File a complaint against a taxi driver or firm with the transport ministry. icon_mail reclamation@infotaxi.lu

www.emile-frisch.lu

RECYLING Recycling must be sorted for pickup (in colour coded bins) or dropped off. Each commune has its own recycling center. Rules and times vary between local councils.

Check with your town hall or on the Sidor website for locations. icon_website

www.sidor.lu

Medical emergencies icon_phone 112

After hours pharmacy icon_website

www.pharmacie.lu/service-de-garde/

Poison centre icon_phone 80 02 55 00

Other emergency telephone numbers icon_website

112.public.lu

Emergency information icon_website

www.infocrise.lu

NEED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE? Kanner Jugend Telefon icon_phone 11 61 11 icon_website

www.kjt.lu

SOS Détresse icon_phone 45 45 45 icon_website

www.454545.lu

BRAND VOICE

47

Technology

Technology

One secure ID for all your online needs With an increasing number of banking and administrative procedures taking place online, solutions like the LuxTrust electronic identity are becoming increasingly important to ensure that your transactions on different platforms are fully secure. sponsored content by

LuxTrust

COUNTER 1

2 Confirm your identity

HOW DOES THE LUXTRUST ELECTRONIC IDENTITY WORK?

For added security, your identity must be validated at the bank or within the LuxTrust office.

1 Request a LuxTrust identity

SIGN IN

You can obtain a LuxTrust when opening a bank account at one of LuxTrust’s partners or by ordering it directly from www.luxtrust.lu.

3 ACTIVATE

These enable you to login, change your password and revalidate your identity after three years.

WHO IS LUXTRUST?

L

uxTrust was founded in 2005 at the initiative of the Luxembourg’s government and the ABBL (Association of Banks and Bankers of Luxembourg). Its mission is to guarantee the digital identity and security of electronic data of businesses and citizens.

With a unique password and ID, which can be associated with up to four devices, it allows you to connect to your banking platform and validate transactions. It can also be used to electronically sign documents or connect to Guichet.lu to view health care reimbursements, pay your taxes, or claim any family allowances. ×

Get your device and LuxTrust codes

4 Activate your LuxTrust identity After that, all you need to do is register and activate your LuxTrust certificate on www.luxtrust.lu.

To protect your electronic identity, never share your login and password with untrusted parties. Always double-check the websites you are entering your data.

In case of doubt, contact us! www.luxtrust.lu +352 24 55 05 50

48

Childcare and family

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

In Unicef’s recent “Family-Friendly Policies Report”, Luxembourg ranked 9th among the 31 wealthy EU and OECD countries reviewed. The data, based on 2016 figures, may come as no surprise to those living in the grand duchy, where there are generous child allowances and parental leave, multilingual education, plenty of green spaces (and playgrounds) and support networks, to name just a few advantages. So whether you’re a new parent or just glancing at this between school runs, here are some of our tips to help you navigate family life. → See listings starting on page 60

photos

Mike Zenari

49

50

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Childcare and family

Building strong kids Cindy Gouden was the first hypnobirthing instructor in Luxembourg. words

H

Natalie A. Gerhardstein

er interest was sparked by the first hypnobirth she witnessed in 2009 while she had been working at CHL. Impressed by “how calm [the mother] was, and how amazing she managed it”, Gouden signed up for hypnobirthing ­ training shortly thereafter.

After some 16 years working as a delivery room midwife, she decided it was time to “go [her] own way”, and she opened her company, HypnoBalance, a little over a year ago. She now offers the hypnobirthing programme--four sessions, including practical tips for managing pain through self-hypnosis, deep meditation and visuali­ sation--in a group or individual setting in her own Schrassig-based studio.

photo

Mike Zenari

“It’s quite important for mothers and babies, and I think if we can give them techniques on how they can prepare and manage, they will feel less lost in the delivery room,” she says. Although the programme doesn’t guarantee “perfect deliveries”, Gouden says it helps women better anticipate and manage their labour.

Gouden suggests it would be good in future if mothers would be able to choose their midwife who could accompany them not only during those pre-labour months, but also for the delivery itself. “I saw that many times when I delivered my friends, most of them [did so] without an epidural,” she says, adding: “They told me they never doubted their ability and were convinced

someone was with [them] who would take care of [them], so this gave them security.”

The setting where Gouden now holds her hypnobirthing courses is reminiscent of a yoga studio and includes quotes on the walls handpicked for their inspirational value. But there’s a lot more behind the design than just the look: great care was taken, for example, in where baby photos are visible, given that some of her other hypnotherapy clients may find it difficult to see them if they are having trouble conceiving.

“People with fertility issues are coming more often, and they want to be accompanied all the way during treatments,” even in-vitro fertilisation. She adds that when working with hypnofertility clients, “most of [them] had an experience, for example, of a miscarriage and are afraid of getting pregnant, going through that painful period again”. Others may harbour guilt linked to a past terminated pregnancy, or fear based on stories they’ve been told by relatives.

Gouden has also been working with children on their own fears which can be linked to anything from sleeping or being alone in their room at night to school-­ related issues. “Kids don’t need hypnosis, they need visualisation,” she says. “And when they can visualise, they can remove their problem.”

To help someone achieve relaxation, Gouden may, for example, tell a client to imagine lying in a cloud. Although she says it takes most children mere seconds to perform the visualisation, the case is quite different for adults: “The adult will tell me it’s impossible… Adults need more relaxation to avoid thinking, to avoid using their brain, to go into the subconscious mind where pictures and emotions are, but kids are immediately into the visualisation,” Gouden says. “It’s amazing what they can do.”

She does work with adults to help them get over fears or past issues, although she believes “it’s better to build strong kids than to repair broken adults”. Through hypnotherapy, Gouden helps individuals go into the subconscious to deal with past emotions or situations which, she believes, can often manifest into physical pain.

“The mind is very powerful. When you see clients with, for example, a medical issue, they may have a medical issue, but the question is why did the issue come… what is the emotion behind it?” × ↳ www.hypnobalance.lu

www.islux.lu

We ensure that everyone in our community becomes inspired, resilient and passionate about achieving what matters, anywhere in the world.

52

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Experience sharing

You’re not born a parent Jeannine Schumann heads up the EltereCafé meeting place for parents. words Natalie

O

A. Gerhardstein

n a quiet corner in Esch-sur-Alzette is a room with bright, upcycled furnishings, and shelves lined with children’s games, toys and books. There is also plenty of coffee and tea on hand: the “EltereCafé” (or Parent Café) serves as a meeting place where parents can pop in, with or without their children, to have a hot cuppa during the café’s opening hours (Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons).

While some of the parents visit to exchange advice or their own experiences in raising children, others come merely to practise a foreign language or to meet new people. During the opening hours, a staff member is also on site to help answer questions parents may have.

photo

Mike Zenari

According to the team at the Eltereschoul Janusz Korczak (part of the Fondation Kannerschlass), which runs the programme, there’s been an uptick recently in the number of English speakers at the café, in part due to new families living in the area to be close to the international schools in Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette.

By autumn, the team hopes to have an additional opening time specifically geared toward new parents, according to Jeannine Schumann, who heads the Eltereschoul, for “a mother or father who is on parental leave… [who] are used to working all day and having a social life”.

The café is just one of a number of initiatives run by the school, which welcomed

around 5,600 parents in 2018. The team works mainly on two levels. First, it offers a number of conferences and classes tackling some 70 topics ranging from screen time for young children and school bullying to its “You are not born a parent” workshop geared for future mums and dads.

But it also works with a number of other institutions and is open to customisation according to individual needs.

“I think one of the best examples is the ‘épiceries sociales’ [food banks] organised by the Croix-Rouge, for people who don’t have much money and cannot buy things in a normal shop,” Schumann says. “These people are perhaps doing well with their children, but they have a difficulty which links them together, this problem of not having enough money.” She adds that it’s important that parents get the right messages that even if they find themselves in a difficult situation, they have support available when it comes to their children.

(Even if the support isn’t coming from the Eltereschoul or the Fondation Kannerschlass more broadly, the team is equipped to point parents in the right direction for other services.)

Although French has been the main language of its activities in the past, the Eltereschoul team adapts accordingly and has held a number of activities in English as well.

It is increasingly being asked by companies to run lunchtime workshops, ideal for working parents who don’t necessarily have the time to meet in the evenings. Not only is this a way for companies to participate in one aspect of the “positive actions” scheme outlined by the ministry of equality between women and men, but “it’s also showing parents the importance, as a company, that you are giving to their family lives,” Schumann says. She adds that parents also gain certain skills while they’re home with their children that can be transferred to the company. “You get a lot more stress-­ resistant, more organised… both [parents and companies] can benefit from this.” × ↳ www.kannerschlass.lu/eltereschoul

WALDORFSCHOOL The joy of learning

Preschool | Kindergarten | Afterschool care Primary | Secondary | Baccalaureate International In Preschool & Kindergarden the program is designed to support the healthy

development of young children by building strength, perseverance, good habits, developing social awareness and sensitivity as well as awakening a life-long enthusiasm for learning.

In Primary our teachers take care to introduce skills, subjects and concepts at a time that is appropriate to the child’s physiological, emotional and spiritual development. We use a multisensory approach, integrating the arts into each subject to engage the whole child in the learning process rather than simply imparting intellectual information.

In secondary the school puts great emphasis on practical activities. Learning from

the workplace via some work experience complements school education. The pupils can experience that learning is from, about and for life. Depending on individual choices and an on-going orientation process, they will finish schooling either in Grade 11 or finish school with the two-year International Baccalaureate program.

The International Baccalaureate offers a rigorous and balanced program in

French with some courses in English and provides a solid preparation for higher education.

Languages: Luxembourgish, German, French, English Interested? Contact us to visit our school: Fräi-ëffentlech Waldorfschoul Lëtzebuerg 45, rue de l‘Avenir ¦ L-1147 Luxembourg -Limpertsberg Tel. 00352 46 69 32 ¦ waldorf@ecole.lu ¦ www.waldorf.lu

54

How to

5 kid-friendly restos

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Prep for childbirth

Just because you’re a parent now doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice dining out.

1

Pavillon

Located in the heart of Merl park, this tried and tested kid-friendly spot is quite relaxing, with views overlooking the pond. Check out their Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., which promises seasonal products across a diverse selection--everything from English breakfast to “the classic Champagne brunch”. A treat every parent could use.

With over 6,200 registered births in Luxembourg in 2018, it can be done! But here are a few tips to reduce the stress in advance.

↳ www.pavillon.city

2

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

↑

Get organised

Meal plan

Don’t wait until the final weeks to get the car seat, buggy or baby clothes arranged.

According to Parents magazine, only around 5% of women deliver when they expect to, so always prepare for an early arrival in case.

Practicing how to use equipment will save time after your little one’s arrival--you’ll be glad you did when leaving hospital. It also helps to organise baby clothes with drawer dividers labelled by size (0-3 months, 3-6 months, up to a year or beyond), so you can quickly find what you’re looking for as you deal with all the fun little mishaps that come with new parenthood.

The last thing you’ll want to do when your newborn arrives is make elaborate meals or grocery shop. Plan on doing batch cooking well in advance, which you can then freeze into smaller portions so your family will have healthy, time-saving meals after birth.

Alternatively, enlist your friends to help cook for you, if they’re up for it. (Or stockpile delivery menus in your junk drawer--we won’t judge.)

Digital planning Ask other parents which apps have been most useful. There are pregnancy apps to help monitor fetal development, breastfeeding apps for mums to keep track of feeding schedules, and plenty of apps that provide white noise which may come as a welcome relief to help colicky babies fall asleep.

Relax!

↑

Hospital bag checklist Hospitals tend to offer a packing checklist outlining which items they’ll provide during a stay versus which items you should bring. Once you’ve remembered the baby clothes, toiletries, paperwork, camera and the rest, consider adding a few “luxury” items, whether those are comfy socks or a sneaky bar of chocolate you hide during the nightly nurse visit.

Keeping up with mild physical exercise can keep mums limber and positive, but also consider meditation or prenatal courses, from yoga to hypnobirthing, to help connect with the little one before birth. This won’t just help with labour, it’ll be a great way to practice snapping into a relaxed state for the many years of patience-testing ahead… good luck!

Robin du Lac

We know, we know. This is actually a concept store. But we can highly recommend the Italian eatery, Come à la Maison, as well as the coffee shop, Knopes. Located on the route d’Esch, the concept store has plenty of space for a pram--and, let’s face it, once you’ve set up your stroller, do you really want to pack and unpack it all again to do another excursion?

Problem solved: you can also sneak in some grocery shopping or pick up little Timmy’s personalised birthday cake at the on-site party shop. ↳ www.robindulac.com

3

Strogoff

With its industrial-chic interior, kids’ menu (with a main, a dessert and a surprise) and play area, what’s not to like? ↳ www.strogoff-tartares.com

4

ÉireLux

This gastropub serves up Irish fare, including kiddie portions, and plenty of finger foods in a convivial setting.

It’s a good place to catch a rugby or football match. Toilets and changing space on the ground floor. Bonus: the friendly staff. ↳ www.eirelux.com

5

Chalet am Brill

One of the three dining spots at Mondorf Domaine Thermal, this restaurant maintains an informal vibe. A playground just opposite the terrace will give your little ones a chance to tire themselves while you relish your steak tartare or bream. ↳ www.mondorf.lu/gastronomy

L’Enfant Roi Creches Montessori

5 rainy day activities

56

Raining? In Luxembourg? Again?

No worries, we’ve got you covered (pun intended).

Tram and Bus Museum

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

1

This Hollerich museum will get the little ones excited with its horse-drawn tramway replicas, vehicles, coaches and more.

But it’s also a nice way for parents to take in some grand duchy nostalgia. ↳ www.rail.lu/tramsmusee

How to

Apply for chèque-service accueil The Luxembourg state offers parents who have children in daycare facilities providing “non-formal education” a reimbursement on fees depending on the family’s situation.

Where to apply

Information required

Your local commune issues the “myCard fir Kanner” card which allows you to obtain reimbursements. You can go to your local town hall and ask for the department that deals with the “chèque-service accueil”. Or you can apply online via the ministry of education website.

1 The child’s full name and national insurance identification number.

Annual renewal Once received, the card is valid until the child is aged 12 or is still in primary school education. However, every year you will receive a reminder from your local commune and will have to resubmit an application form to guarantee continued access to the scheme.

2 The full names and national insurance numbers of the parents or guardian.

The child’s permanent address and that of the applicants.

The Differdange centre offers a fun way for youngsters to get excited about science. There are some 60 experimental stations, most of which are hands on. Bonus: the centre is open on Sundays and on several official holidays. ↳ www.science-center.lu

“A Possen” Museum 3

This folkloric museum shows how a vintner would have lived, with 18th- and 19th-century furnishings, creating an authentic atmosphere.

The museum also holds regular children’s workshops and can arrange birthday visits. ↳ www.musee-possen.lu

4

Swimming

Two pools we recommend are Les Thermes in Strassen, which has a couple of slides and a wave pool, as well as Syrdall Schwemm in Niederanven, where the slide is reminiscent of a disco with its funky lights. ↳ www.lesthermes.net ↳ www.syrdall-schwemm.lu

3

4 The billing address for the service for which you are applying for reimbursement.

5 The number of children in receipt of family allowances who are members of the household of the legal guardian.

6 The income status (usually last three salary statements) of the household in which the child lives.

Jumpbox Trampoline Park 5

Best for older kids and teens, this indoor play area has “quality time” specials, encouraging parents and kids to jump. ↳ www.jumpbox.lu

Photo → Åsmund Gimre (Unsplash)

↳ www.men.public.lu

Luxembourg Science Center 2

plan k

PT 200C - 645C

OPENING OF OUR NEW ERNSTER SPACE AT LA CLOCHE D'OR Also visit our webshop: ernster.com Client service: +352 22 50 77 333 / info@ernster.com

How to

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Make the most of parental leave Sure, parental leave is a great time for bonding with the little one, yet the transition can prove challenging for even the most patient parent.

Join a group While your routine changes, many of your friends’ routines will remain the same--that is, they’ll probably be working while you are on leave. Consider joining a group of like-minded people to share the joys and trials of parental leave. There are several local groups on Facebook--for example, The Luxembourg Daddy Group and Luxembourg Parents--which regularly organise playdates. An “EltereCafé” (parent café) is also organised in Esch-surAlzette during designated hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, where parents can meet over a warm drink and swap stories.

1

Curago

This app stores your family’s schedules, to-dos, shopping lists and more. Members of the family can be invited to collaborate on some features, while individual settings can also be respected when necessary.

2

Spielplaz.lu

Available in six languages (English, Luxembourgish, German, French, Portuguese and Italian), this app allows you to search for playgrounds by locality or postal code, as well as infrastructure and other options, like indoor and outdoor, whether pets are allowed, whether facilities and restaurants are nearby, and more. The app has photo previews to boot.

Refill

Find free water-filling stations to reduce your family’s plastic use. There is now a local version of this app, which has already been quite active in places like the UK and Germany. ↑

Travel

4

Cityapp

Users can stay up to date with info about the Vel’oh bike stations, real-time bus schedules, car park data, as well as more information about points of interest in the centre.

5

Meng Loft

Check the air quality in Luxembourg and get more info about pollutants and their effects. The data can also be shared with others.

↑

Get in shape Even if it’s just walking, exercise is a great way to get some fresh air and burn off that extra baby weight--which dads can put on too!

Several local yoga studios offer baby-parent yoga, while The Little Gym offers a diverse lineup of music, sport and gymnastics classes for children aged 4 months to 12 years.

Whether you’ve been putting off making family photo albums of your family life or organising paperwork for your little one, this is a good time to get those tasks done--that is, if your little one manages a nap from time to time!

From groceries to school runs, organising family life can be a challenge.

3

Whether you visit the grandparents or take a parent-child trip to a completely new destination, travelling with your little one provides a unique experience that will test your patience, but equally offer unforeseen rewards.

It’s a great way for children to be exposed to new cultures and languages… just be sure those vaccinations are up to date and, of course, take precautions as necessary, for example by booking supplemental insurance.

Get those to-dos done!

5 family apps

↑

Relish the moments It may not seem like it when you first take your leave, but the weeks or months will fly by.

Enjoy them!

Photos → Jessica Theis (archives) → Japheth Mast (Unsplash) → Alexander Dummer (Unsplash)

58

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCOVER LUXEMBOURG IN A DIFFERENT WAY? 29/06 15/09/2019

#GuideForOneDay offers residents who have recently settled in Luxembourg and everyone interested, a series of tours which are original and above all authentic.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN A VISIT FULL OF ORIGINALITY AND AUTHENTICITY?

An initiative of the General Directorate for Tourism of the Ministry of Economy

Following the success of the last two editions, a third edition will take place this summer, from June 29th to September 15th.

Book your tour now on www.guideforoneday.lu

E -CHARG F O E E R F

ACCREDITED EUROPEAN SCHOOL

A growing community, offering for the new start of term this September

…primary classes P1 and P2 (English and French); …secondary classes S1 and S2 (English, French and German) leading up to the European Baccalaureate.

A whole day school offering

…7.00 to 19.00 before and after school care (Primary); …extracurricular activities for all interests (Primary and Secondary).

Cutting-edge pedagogics

…implementing the Dalton Plan; …fostering IT competence; …encouraging democratic participation; …promoting cooperative learning.

www.eimlb.lu

2, Route de Burmerange, L-5659 Mondorf-les-Bains / Tel: +352 281 288 – 1 / secretariat@eimlb.lu

60

AU PAIR

BabyHome icon_where Gasperich, Hamm & Junglinster

Greataupair.com Platform for nannies, au pairs, personal assistants, tutors, senior caregivers, babysitters, housekeepers and petsitters. icon_website www.greataupair.com

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

www.accueil-aupair.lu icon_website www.accueil-aupair.lu

BABY-SITTING Krank Kanner Doheem Provides emergency home care for children who are sick and not allowed to attend crèche or school.

icon_phone 26 78 25 33 icon_mail info@babyhome.lu icon_website www.babyhome.lu

Bei den Raupen icon_where Schifflange icon_website www.beidenraupen.lu icon_info I2

Butterfly Valley/ Caterpillar Haven

OTR International School icon_where Belair icon_phone 26 09 45 42 icon_website www.otrinternationalschool.lu icon_info E10

Rock Kids icon_where Several locations icon_phone 28 80 08 icon_mail info@rockids.lu

Sunflower Montessori

icon_phone 27 84 88 98

icon_where

icon_website www.butterflyvalley.lu

icon_phone 26 15 93 1

icon_info H4

icon_mail info@sunflower.lu

Bertrange, Ersange, Findel & Moutfort

icon_website www.sunflower.lu

icon_where Belair, Findel, Kirchberg, Les Muguets, Merl & Strassen

icon_phone 48 07 79

icon_phone 26 09 43 99

icon_website fed.lu/wp/services/skkd/

icon_website www.childrensworld.lu

FAMILY SUPPORT

icon_info C13

Bee Secure

icon_phone 27 36 53 83

Crèche BioBébé

icon_website www.adomea-services.lu

icon_where Limpertsberg, Mamer & Munsbach

Internet safety for parents and kids.

Adoméa Services

Babysits.lu icon_website www.babysits.lu

Babysitting.lu icon_website www.babysitting.lu

Petitweb.lu icon_website www.petitweb.lu

Webnounou.com icon_website www.webnounou.com

CRÈCHE

icon_phone 27 69 42 67 icon_mail info@biobebe.lu

icon_website www.aisiacreche.lu icon_info H4

icon_website www.bee-secure.lu

Luxembourg Schools Support Group Assistance and information for English speakers who need help navigating the state education system.

HOME SCHOOLING

icon_website www.creche-petitprince.lu icon_info H4

Crèche Tiramisù

Kannerschlass parent school La Leche League

Luxembourg Association for Freedom of Instruction (ALLI)

Breastfeeding support group.

icon_website www.alliasbl.lu

icon_website www.kannerschlass.lu

icon_where Bereldange & Helmsange icon_phone 26 33 04 30 icon_mail info@crechetiramisu.lu icon_website www.crechetiramisu.lu

CYK icon_website www.cyk.lu icon_info H4

Kids’ Ville icon_where Beggen

icon_website www.lalecheleague.lu

Luxembourg Expats Parents group icon_facebook Luxembourg Expats Parents group

Luxembourg Parents icon_facebook Luxembourg Parents

L’Enfant Roi

icon_website www.luxmamaclub.com

icon_where Bertrange, Cloche d’Or, Findel,

Midwife.lu

Kirchberg, Mamer & Strassen icon_phone 27 84 51

icon_website www.midwife.lu

icon_website www.lenfant-roi.lu icon_info F10

Passage

icon_website www.babouille.lu

Support network for parents and children’s professionals.

icon_info H4

icon_website www.passage.lu

icon_phone 26 31 19 09

icon_website www.men.public.lu

icon_website www.kjt.lu/en

Luxmama

icon_where Strassen

icon_phone 24 78 52 77

icon_where Bertrange

icon_where Belair

Babouille

Casna provides information about the Luxembourg post-primary education system, by appointment only.

Online and phone help desk in English for parents and children.

icon_info B12

icon_info F9

Cellule d’Accueil Scolaire pour Élèves Nouveaux Arrivants

Crèche le Petit Prince

Aux enfants gâtés icon_website www.auxenfantsgates.lu

SCHOOL INFO & RESOURCES

icon_website www.lssg.lu

icon_website www.kidsville.lu

icon_phone 27 44 97 33

icon_website www.daddies.lu

Kanner-Jugendtelefon

icon_where Bertrange icon_phone 20 40 87 00

The Luxembourg Daddy Group

icon_website www.biobebe.lu

icon_where Strassen

Aisia Crèche

icon_website www.profamilia.lu

icon_website www.rockids.lu

icon_where Bertrange

Children’s World

Pro Familia Foundation

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLING Athénée de Luxembourg International baccalaureate programme. icon_where Luxembourg icon_website www.al.lu icon_info G10

Michel Lucius International School

Sacred Heart University

AS- and A-levels programme.

European baccalaureate programme.

icon_where Luxembourg

Part-time MBA programme and full-time MBA with internships.

icon_website www.lml.lu

icon_where Kirchberg

icon_where Differdange & Esch-Alzette

icon_info C10

icon_website www.shu.lu

icon_phone 288 572 405 (primary) icon_phone 288 572 205 (secondary) icon_website www.eide.lu icon_info J3

École Internationale Edward Steichen European baccalaureate programme. icon_where Clervaux icon_website www.lesc.lu icon_info C4

European Schools I and II European baccalaureate programme. icon_where Kirchberg & Mamer

icon_info D13

Mondorf-les-Bains International School European baccalaureate programme.

United Business Institutes Bachelor degree in business studies.

icon_mail info@cc-cdm.lu

OTR Int’l School* International baccalaureate up until the age of 15. icon_where Luxembourg icon_website www.otrinternationalschool.lu icon_info E10

St George’s International School* icon_website www.st-georges.lu

University of Luxembourg The national university. Main campus in Belval with campuses in Kirchberg and Limpertsberg. icon_website www.en.uni.lu

SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION

icon_info F15

icon_where Luxembourg

icon_where Luxembourg

icon_website www.islux.lu

icon_website www.waldorf.lu

icon_info G10

icon_info C11

icon_where Dommeldange & Limpertsberg

UNIVERSITIES BBI Wiltz Degrees in hospitality and tourism management. icon_where Wiltz icon_website www.bbi-edu.eu icon_info D3

Lunex University

icon_mail secretariat@ltam.lu

Degrees in sports management, sport science and physiotherapy.

icon_website www.ltam.lu

icon_where Differdange

icon_phone 46 76 16 1

icon_website www.lunex-university.net

Lycée Privé Emile Metz* Vocational certificates. icon_where Dommeldange icon_website www.lpem.lu icon_info B12

icon_info I2

Miami University The US institution’s campus in Luxembourg. icon_where Differdange icon_website www.miamioh.edu icon_info I2

CDSE Centre for learners with behavioural disorders. icon_mail info@cc-cdse.lu

CTSA Specialist centre for young people with autism spectrum disorders. icon_mail info@cc-ctsa.lu

Cepas Psychosocial and educational support.

Atva

icon_website www.cepas.public.lu

Helps support young people and their parents in the new stages of their working lives.

Dys-positiv

icon_mail info@cc-atva.lu

Technology-oriented courses.

CDM

icon_info D3

Waldorfschoul*

Lycée des Arts et Métiers

icon_mail info@cc-cdl.lu

icon_website www.ubi.edu

International baccalaureate programme.

icon_info G5

Special education testing & support.

icon_info J5

icon_where Luxembourg

icon_website www.lensterlycee.lu

CDI

Specialist school for children with cerebral palsy.

International School of Luxembourg*

icon_where Junglinster

icon_website www.idv.lu

icon_where Wiltz

AS- and A-levels programme.

European baccalaureate programme.

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Specialist school for children with visual impairments.

icon_website www.eimlb.lu

icon_where Mondorf-les-Bains

icon_website www.euroschool.lu

Lënster Lycée

CDV

Supports young people with dyslexia, dysorthographia, dyscalculia and/or dyspraxia.

Apemh

icon_website www.dys-positiv.lu

Structures for people of any age with special education needs.

Dyspraxia.lu

icon_website www.apemh.lu

Website founded by mothers of children with learning difficulties.

Asebs

icon_website www.dyspraxie.lu

Supports children in private schools with learning difficulties.

Médiation Scolaire

icon_website www.asebs.lu

School mediation service. icon_website www.mediationscolaire.lu

Centre de logopédie Specialist school for children with language and speech difficulties. icon_website www.logopedie.lu

CEJHP School for gifted children.

Scap Support for attention deficit disorders, perception and psychomotor development disorders. icon_website www.scap.lu

icon_mail info@cc-cejhp.lu

CDA Grande-Duchesse Maria Teresa Centre for learners with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. icon_website www.cc-cda.lu * Denotes private school

Childcare & family

Differdange & Esch-Alzette Int’l School

Calendar

62

From annual traditions to seasonal favourites, here's where people in Luxembourg will be headed and what they’ll be doing each month.

September Wine festivals

October

November

Night of the Museums

Winter tyres Don’t forget to switch from summer tyres ahead of the change in weather; you can get fined for driving in the snow without them.

Vintners and towns across Luxembourg’s Moselle Valley host several events around the grape harvest.

Back to school

Clear snow

The first day of class at Luxembourg state schools is typically around 15 September.

Residents are generally responsible for clearing snow from the pavement in front of their building.

Steel-Run Differdange A 10km course through the former industrial town, usually midSeptember.

Luxembourg International Comedy Festival

British & Irish Film Season Film from the isles is featured at Luxembourg City cinemas.

Route du Vin Half Marathon Popular run along the scenic Moselle River, late September.

Museums across the country are open till after midnight and feature special cultural programmes.

Comics perform (in several languages) at venues across the capital.

Luxembourg Art Week

Cineast

Mantelsonndeg

The eastern and central European film and culture festival.

Shops are open on “Coat Sunday”, traditionally when you’d pick up a new winter wardrobe, usually the third Sunday of October.

Steampunk Convention

Nut festival

Enter a Victorian-esque world at the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras.

Celebrate the nut harvest and all things nuts in Vianden. Family fun.

Kropemannsfest

Broschtkriibslaf

Folk festival in Redange celebrating “Kropemann” (a swampy boogeyman with a giant hook), last Sunday of September.

The 4km “Breast Cancer Run” raises money for the fight against breast cancer.

BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open The international professional women’s tennis tournament is one of the largest sporting events held in the country.

Local and international contemporary artists and galleries exhibit.

Red Rock Challenge Trail running, mountain biking and decathlon over 3 days in and around Belval.

Home & Living Expo If you’re thinking about renovating or redecorating, check out this autumn fair.

Trauliicht Essentially Halloween, several groups organise children’s events.

Bazar International de Luxembourg This international bazaar is “the” event for expats (and native Luxembourgers too!) in the grand duchy. Shop, eat, drink and chat with 60+ nationalities ahead of the holidays. Proceeds go to charity. Held at Luxexpo over a weekend in late November or early December.

Braderie Several streets in Luxembourg City are turned into an open-air market, usually the first Monday of September. Shops are open (with special sales) the Sunday afternoon before.

Walferdange Book Days The “Walfer Bicherdeeg” is Luxembourg’s biggest book festival, held on the third weekend of November or so.

Photos → Maison Moderne → Casino Museum → Steve Eastwood (archives)

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

AUTUMN

WINTER

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December

February Liichtmessdag Children carry torches and “beg” for goodies (traditionally they ask for bacon and peas, but today sweets are more appreciated) on Candlemas, 2 February.

Keep an extra eye out for young pedestrians while driving that evening.

Valentine’s Day Cupid makes his annual stop in Luxembourg, 14 February. If you want to dine out with that special someone, book well ahead.

Several communes hold outdoor Christmas markets, where you can browse for gifts and enjoy a mulled wine with new and old friends; the capital features outdoor ice skating.

Holiday bazaars

St Nicholas Day

The Luxembourg Red Cross, Danish church and several other groups hold seasonal markets in the run up to Christmas.

Children receive sweets and presents from “de Kleeschen” (roughly, jolly old St Nick) on 6 December if they’ve been nice; if they’ve been naughty, then it’s a switch from “den Houseker”.

January Three Kings Day On “Dräikinneksdag”, the person who finds the figurine hidden in an epiphany cake is crowned king or queen for a day, 6 January.

Winter sales

Vakanz

Retailers hold stock clearing sales starting the last weekend of December and running through the last weekend of January.

It’s already time to think about holidays and travel plans during the “vacation” fair at Luxexpo.

Carnivals There are Carnival cavalcades and accompanying street fairs in towns across the country, staggered over several weekends in February and March (dates vary widely each year).

Euro Meet

Photos → Maison Moderne → LaLa La Photo → Mike Zenari

Christmas luncheons Many chambers of commerce and social clubs host holiday luncheons, which is a great way to meet their memberships.

One of the most competitive longcourse swimming competitions in Europe is held at d’Coque, late January.

Auto Festival Car dealers roll out special deals, beginning late January and running into early February. Good time to take a test drive.

Find more events Check Delano’s digital agenda for the latest happenings: ↳ www.delano.lu/agenda

Calendar

Christmas markets

SPRING

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

March

April

Buergbrennen

DKV Urban Trail

“Buergen” (torches) are used to light bonfires which “burn away” winter in towns across the grand duchy. Organised by local councils and youth organisations under the supervision of the fire brigade.

There’s something warm to eat and drink, too. Very good chance to meet your neighbours. Held the first Sunday after Carnival (sometimes falls in February).

Several walks and runs (from 900m to 34km) through the heart of the capital.

May ING Night Marathon

Luxcon Beam yourself up to (and may the force be with you during) the Science Fiction & Fantasy Society’s annual convention.

Vide-greniers

Relais pour la Vie About 10,000 runners participate in the 24-hour relay race, a fundraiser for the Cancer Foundation. Check at work or with an association if you want to join a team.

Migration festival

The City of Luxembourg hosts a flea market on place Guillaume II or avenue de la Gare the first Sunday of the month between April and October. Many other communes and associations organise jumble sales; searching “Events” on Facebook is a good way to find them.

Celebrates multicultural Luxembourg, with a spotlight on integration and NGOs. Springbreak Luxembourg Commercial fair, featuring everything from food and drink to stuff for the house, at Luxexpo.

Postlaf The 10km course around the capital’s southern area is usually the first big fun run of the year.

Pretzel Sunday Traditionally on “Bretzelsonnden”, a man expresses his romantic interest by offering a sweet pretzel. If interested, she’ll give him eggs on Easter Sunday; if she’s not, she gives him a basket.

Held the fourth Sunday in Lent (which can be in March or April).

Plan “bridge” weekends

Rock Against Cancer

There are 3 public holidays in May (and another one in early June), so get your long holiday weekends sorted in advance.

Big charity concert held at the Rockhal in Esch-Belval.

BLC Car Boot Sale Émaischen Buy “Péckvillercher” (clay birdshaped whistles) at the Easter Monday markets in Luxembourg City and Nospelt.

Oktav Pilgrimage (with a religiously themed market on the Knuedler) held over a fortnight in April and May.

VeloOccasiounsMaart Buy or sell during the annual “Secondhand Bike Market” at the Belle Etoile shopping centre.

Luxembourg City Film Festival The capital rolls out the red carpet for the country’s premiere cinema event, which runs 11 days during the first half of March.

This is Luxembourg’s big race on the international circuit, held in late May or early June. The capital takes on a street festival atmosphere, as well-wishers cheer runners on and soak up live music. If you want to run, sign up when registration opens in September; it usually sells out fast.

Duck Race “Sponsor” a little yellow rubber duckie which will race down the Pétrusse River. It’s a fundraiser with tonnes of prizes (sometimes even a new car).

Nice family day out.

The British Ladies Club’s annual charity jumble sales is a chance to score a bargain and catch up with friends. Proceeds go to charity.

Our Lady Fatima Pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, in Wiltz, popular with Luxembourg’s Portuguese community, Ascension Thursday.

Photos → Maison Moderne → Luc Deflorenne → Edouard Olszewski → Steve Eastwood (archives) → Anthony Dehez

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SUMMER June Annual professional road cycling stage race, which attracts top-notch local and international teams. Held in late May or early June.

July

August

Blues’n Jazz Rallye

Congés Annulés The Rotondes hosts indie concerts, film screenings and special events throughout the month.

Streeta(rt)nimation

Hopping procession

Acrobats, clowns, dancers, jugglers, musicians and stilt walkers take over Luxembourg city centre, early August.

The “Sprangprëssessioun” pilgrimage in Echternach, recognised by Unesco as part of the world’s heritage, is held on Whit Tuesday (in May or June).

E-Lake Festival Free 3-day outdoor music festival in Echternach, second weekend of August.

Bock up Outdoor music festival held at the Neumünster Abbey during the month of June and July.

Wine Taste Enjoy Moselle winemakers open their cellars during this festival held on the weekend of Pentecost (Whit Sunday).

Fête de la Musique The streets of Luxembourg City and towns across the grand duchy are alive with music.

Church fair The Anglican Church of Luxembourg holds its annual family sport and fun day in the Central Park Kirchberg.

The outdoor music festival is one of the capital’s best-attended cultural events, mid- to late July.

Festival de Wiltz

Rock um Knuedler

The open-air music and performing arts festival in Wiltz attracts top-rate international acts during the month of July.

Rock out at this open-air music festival held on place Guillaume II (better known as the Knuedler).

Visit palace

Kinnekswiss loves Outdoor concerts held in the capital’s Municipal Park in early July.

JP Morgan City Jogging 6km or 10km run or Nordic walking course through the capital, early July.

National Day Eve & National Day Expats usually come out in force for the lively Duke’s Night celebrations in the capital (22 June); a parade and formal ceremony are held on National Day itself (23 June). The holiday marks the grand duke’s official birthday.

International Yoga Day Luxembourg

Meet Luxembourg farmers and learn about local produce in Ettelbruck, early July.

End of season party The Philharmonie closes its season by “converting” from concert hall to nightclub, early to mid-July.

Gaymat

Photo → Luxembourg for Tourism

Shops tout discounts and promotions from the last weekend of June to the last weekend of July.

Comic book fair The town of Contern gets animated during its annual comic book festival.

Agriculture fair

Outdoor yoga event, mid-month.

Summer sales

Take a guided tour of the GrandDucal Palace, mid-July through August. Book in advance with the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (and not at the palace).

The country’s main LGBTIQ pride parade and festival is held in Esch-sur-Alzette, second Saturday of July. Some events also in Luxembourg City.

Nuit des Merveilles Circus performers, mimes, musicians, puppeteers and street artists entertain at this “marvellous” event in Bettembourg.

City Open Air Cinema Catch classic and contemporary movies under the stars for free, rain or shine, in the capital starting in late July and running through August.

Picadilly festival Three-day wine and crémant fair features food trucks, live music and family entertainment, mid-August.

MeYouZik Open-air world music festival held in Luxembourg city centre, mid-month.

Bacchusfescht The Bacchus festival features Moselle region food and drink, held in Remich on Assumption (15 August).

Touch rugby tournament Kick Cancer Into Touch hosts this annual fundraiser, mid-month.

People at all levels of sporting skill can enter, or turn up to enjoy the atmosphere and meet some of Luxembourg’s outstanding international residents.

Schueberfouer The annual Luxembourg City funfair, on the Glacis, mid-August to mid-September. You haven’t lived in Luxembourg till you’ve been.

Medieval festival Head back to the Middle Ages, in Vianden, from late July to early August.

Find more events Check Delano’s digital agenda for the latest happenings: ↳ www.delano.lu/agenda

Calendar

Tour de Luxembourg

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 photo  

Mike Zenari

Professional life Developing a career in Luxembourg can be both exciting and challenging. While a solid CV, good interview skills and a firm handshake can get you far, there are additional considerations to take into account when working in the grand duchy. Have you registered diploma(s) obtained from abroad? Are you learning the skills (and languages!) necessary for the job? There are plenty of offerings in Luxembourg when it comes to networking, training and coworking, all of which can be excellent ways to learn of job openings, developments in niche sectors or how to launch your business. So whether you’re just here on a two-year transfer or on the fast track from B-school to C-suite, take advantage of the many professional opportunities the country has to offer. → See listings starting on page 78

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Careers

Evaluating the work-life balance Sabina Guerrero calls herself a “happy expat” today but admits she didn’t fall in love immediately with Luxembourg. words

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Natalie A. Gerhardstein

he arrived in 2007--“the golden financial years”--when she was “young, and my expectations were to find a big city”.

But she was determined to keep a positive outlook and eventually “found a little family here”.

Fast-forward to 2019: Guerrero has two children, which exposed her to different circles. “I have the feeling of traveling while living in the city: meeting new people, discovering new cultures.”

While she praises Luxembourg for many other reasons--its social system, healthcare, etc.--she says there’s a lack of coherence with what the nation branding pitch compared to the reality employees face when it comes to work-life balance.

photo

Mike Zenari

“We’re in a country and environment where we care for people and families.

We’re selling this really well. [But we] need to apply this as well.”

This realisation (and her own desire for work-life balance) led to her creating The Job Tailors in 2017. Companies contact her at various levels of their transformation, whether they’re just starting off or need a refresher workshop on reminding employees of values, for example, removing prejudices linked to flexibility and respecting how others work. “If we become flexible, nobody has the right to judge the other,” Guerrero says, citing examples of how some employees who prefer to arrive early so they can leave at 4 p.m. may

e­ ncounter judgment that they aren’t working a full day, which isn’t the case.

Flexible arrangements might incorporate teleworking, part-time working, or allowing employees to manage working hours in a way that works for them--which, Guerrero says, can lead to reduced sick leave or burnout and enhanced productivity.

But it’s also about listening: in her experience, Guerrero has seen cases where bus drivers, nurses, even institutional employees are handed schedules they have to adhere to--despite the fact that perhaps one of them has a dog to walk, increased traffic or a preference just to work mornings over evenings, when he or she is more alert. “When you are aware of [flexibility], you can better listen to what people need,” she says.

Guerrero says the human element is at the heart of much of her work. “We’re facing social transformations in the way people like to live,” she says, noting changes in eating and consumption habits, for example. She’s seen workers even willing to switch jobs from one district of the city to another, even if there’s a salary difference, just to reduce commute times.

“I see human beings trying to be more human, whether it’s a single man willing to do a yoga retreat or marathon training, or a mother or father trying to be more with their kids. For me it’s the same: we’re facing a human need, and where those needs are answered, of course [people] become better workers.”

Guerrero is actively trying to accelerate this dialogue in the grand duchy. Last May, she helped organise the first local international flexible working day event, which she hopes to repeat next year.

“You need to face all parties--what managers say about flexibility, what they or the unions are afraid of. You need to create a conversation around it, and branding of the country needs to go in the direction of it.”

But she also hopes to delve deeper, and The Job Tailors aims to build a survey to have national statistics about workplace flexibility and to learn why more companies don’t get on board.

“Everywhere I go, I receive the feedback of workers that they aren’t happy, or articles that cross-border workers now are even willing to stay on the other side of the border to improve their lifestyle. If we are already looking at this, and on the other hand we have statistics saying that the number of cross-borders will rise exponentially… why don’t we react now?” × ↳ www.thejobtailors.lu

www.pwcacademy.lu

Learning designed for me

Thank you for joining us on our journey through this academic year.

Let’s meet again in September. But for now, enjoy your summer break!

Have a look at our calendar from September 19 • How to be IDD-Compliant • Focus on 18/698 • Developing Organisational Resilience • Unveiling Blindspots • Positive Millenials

Contact us The training calendar is available at:

www.pwcacademy.lu

T +352 49 48 48-4040 pwcacademy@lu.pwc.com

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Networking & Upskilling

Gaining trust This spring, Antoine Rech took part in an organised visit to the Hannover Messe, one of the largest trade fairs in the world. words

I

Natalie A. Gerhardstein

t was a chance for him to visit a range of exhibitors (there were some 6,500 on site) to learn more about developments taking place in artificial intelligence, technology and a host of other fields.

It’s just one of the ways the Sacred Heart University administrative director keeps abreast of trends that might impact the Luxembourg-based campus and its course offerings. Digitalisation, blockchain and private equity have been recent topics ­covered by the conferences organised through SHU--a clear indication that the university is keeping up with the times.

SHU is the only university in the grand duchy to be accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of

photo

Mike Zenari

Business, a US professional organisation.

In addition to its full- and part-time MBA courses, SHU offers a range of programmes so business people can keep on top of their skills--from a lunchtime learning series to certifications in corporate finance, management in the digital age and private equity, to name a few.

There are over 40 nationalities represented, and Rech says that the students they’ve recruited have come from as far as India, China and the US. “Networking starts on day one,” Rech adds. “This is why we mix full-time and part-time students.”

According to Rech, those in the fulltime MBA programme may already be living in Luxembourg but they also are

individuals recruited from abroad, or the spouses of expats already based in Luxembourg. “We promote Luxembourg and sell it in a package of education, work experience through the internship,” Rech says. “We benefit from the good health of the country.”

Rech says that the part-time MBA students don’t need the internship programme offered in the full-time version because they are generally already working.

These MBA candidates can be “lawyers, bankers, consultants, artists, physical therapists… it’s extremely diversified, which is an important aspect of an MBA.” In the case of full-time students, they have an opportunity to work in a company “for 6-9 months, depending… it’s an opportunity for the company to test the character of the students, and for the students to put a foot in the job market”. He estimates around 90% of participants get a job before they graduate or just after.

Rech adds that he feels a certain obligation in ensuring the students are successfully able to integrate into the local job market. “If you can convince someone to come, take a loan, leave their home country, you have to be 100% transparent… they trust you. They come to Luxembourg, they have trust in [the country] and trust in the institution.”

One way in which the school tries to facilitate those moves is through its alumni network. There are well over 600 SHU MBA alumni in Luxembourg, part of the total 35,000 alumni worldwide. Potential students have a chance in advance to get in touch with those who have already been through the programme and/or worked in Luxembourg.

Rech calls it “a kind of quality check”.

For Rech, Luxembourg should be an easy sell. Having worked for 15 years at SHU, he formerly lives in his home country of France but made the decision to move to Luxembourg “to be integrated” which, he adds, is important, especially with kids (he has two of his own). Living here has meant that his children can learn several languages at school, plus he and his wife no longer have to spend so much time on the motorway. He now also has Luxembourg nationality.

Rech and his family live in Pfaffenthal, a neighbourhood which Rech says has transformed significantly over the years.

“The families are changing, and we have neighbours working for Namsa, the European Parliament, the International School.

It’s really a street of expats.” × ↳ www.shu.lu

A sympathetic ear.”

Contact Angela Murrell, Private Banking Adviser Tel: 499 24 3752 www.banquedeluxembourg.com

Banque de Luxembourg, société anonyme – 14, boulevard Royal – L-2449 Luxembourg – R.C.S. B5310.

“We use revolutionary technology to advise you.

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xxxx ↘

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Working independently

Finding a creative community Kumiyo never formally studied illustration, but that hasn’t stopped her from making a career of it. words

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Natalie A. Gerhardstein

ince 2015, the Japanese manga artist has lived in Luxembourg, working out of her studio at the 1535° Creative Hub in Differdange. She learned about the space through a woman also working there whom she met at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair four years ago.

At the beginning, Kumiyo said she found it difficult to get set up as an independent since her “illustration work wasn’t recognised”. What’s more, although she had previously studied French at university in her hometown of Tokyo, “I didn’t speak French as well then. It took a lot of time to inform myself on my own and with the information available on websites.”

photo

Mike Zenari

Luckily, she met other illustrators in the grand duchy who helped her better understand how the process worked. She succeeded in registering and setting up her VAT number. And through 1535°, she has met plenty of other creatives who are open to discussing the challenges of being independent. Recently, she has also started visiting the Kirchberg-based House of Entrepreneurship, powered by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. “If I have a problem, I can go there to get help.”

When she was still based in Tokyo, ­Kumiyo worked with a company selling radiators which wanted to use creative storytelling to enhance its marketing ma-

terials. Kumiyo still works with them from her Differdange base, recently having created a manga calendar for their clients.

But she has also completed several projects with Luxembourg-based partners.

These include “Alice et le jeune pompier Skippy”, created for the 125th ­anniversary of the Differdange firefighters, and the 2017 “La Vie de Thal”, a book achieved in collaboration with Handicap I­ nternational Luxembourg for children to learn more about victims of war and mines. She has also made a range of postcards and posters, some drawing inspiration from the ­Luxembourg landscape.

Although the illustrator spent a lot of time in Japan and also in France, she praises the grand duchy for its multicultural aspects. “In Luxembourg, it’s safer and cleaner, and Luxembourgers are used to speaking many languages,” she says. “In France, they aren’t used to speaking with people who don’t speak French well. They aren’t as used to foreigners. I don’t mean that they’re mean, but it’s a difference of culture.”

Kumiyo also thinks people in Luxembourg “are used to helping each ­ other”--something she says isn’t always the case in her native Japan, where “a lot of people are alone… we have a lot of respect for distance between others”. That culture is fine for some, she adds, but she believes it can also lead to “radical ideas” if people have too much stress or unhappiness when they’re alone.

In addition to finding a community of creatives at 1535°, Kumiyo also interacts with the local Japanese community, for instance, by attending events held by the Japanese embassy. But she’s also bringing Japanese culture to others: on Wednesday evenings, she holds a manga salon at her studio, where anyone interested in drawing or Japanese culture is welcome to stop by (although it’s best to check for updates on her Facebook page).

For expats just arriving, or for those hoping to start their own business, ­Kumiyo has a few tips. “For foreigners like myself, information is very important to start working. You have to collect information everywhere, and not just on the internet where it sometimes isn’t well written.

It’s always important to find communities giving information and have friends to ­discuss with.” × ↳ www.kumiyonoe.com icon_facebook kumiyonoe

5 productivity apps

1

Wunderlist

This app allows you to keep lists, track errands and to-dos, as well as collaborate with colleagues on a range of projects.

2

Trello

Using Kanban methodology, which improves efficient teamwork, this app allows for breaking down large projects into more manageable chunks. It’s also a very visual tool, so is great for creatives and brainstorms.

3

Hootsuite

Sure, you may need to be active on social media. But who has the time? Hootsuite allows you to update your organisation’s key social media pages all in one go.

A headache saver, indeed.

4

Jazz up your lunch Getting out for your lunch hour can help clear the mind and might even boost your productivity in the afternoon.

Get fit A number of companies in Luxembourg have their own gyms, running groups or fitness memberships, so check with your company or HR representative on how to get involved.

If team fitness isn’t your thing, consider joining a lunchtime pilates or yoga course, plenty of which are offered in Luxembourg, some even outdoors during the warmer months.

Or just rent a Vel’oh for an hour and tour the city on a bike. ↑

Get local produce

MindMeister

The weekly market on place Guilllaume II isn’t just open on Saturdays, but also on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It’s a pleasant way to enjoy a leisurely stroll or sample some cheeses, but you can also bring the market back to the workplace by purchasing fruits as snacks for that mid-afternoon slump or flowers to spruce up your office.

Mind-mapping is an underrated but visually impactful way to put thoughts to paper. This app has put the diagramming into an intuitive, clickable format.

Photos → David Laurent (archives) → Luc Deflorenne (archives) → Maison Moderne

5

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Evernote

This organisational app is highly promoted, but for good reason.

It’s a go-to tool for putting ideas to (digital) paper the moment an idea strikes. Photos, links and screenshots can be easily added as well.

↑

Dine al fresco Weather permitting, Kyosk is open for lunch during the warmer months, with a number of vegetarian and/or vegan options.

It’s an ideal place to lounge in the sun or squeeze in a game of pétanque.

Lunch and learn Use your lunch hour to network or gain new skills. Take a look at the University of Luxembourg and Sacred Heart University agendas for their lunchtime offerings or consider attending a luncheon through one of the many business chambers in Luxembourg.

Paperjam Club also holds some lunchtime events for networking.

↑

Attend a concert The Philharmonie regularly holds lunch concerts. In addition to hearing a half-hour of music by either its own orchestra or a visiting musician, attendees can also opt to follow the show with a “Slow Food” lunch.

Professionnal life

Don’t stress. Take the weight off your shoulders with a few online tools.

How to

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How to

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Network as an introvert Let’s face it: not everyone is cut out for chit-chat over canapés. Still, networking is important, particularly in a small country like Luxembourg, for making new professional connections or keeping an eye out for that next career move.

5 coworking spaces A few places to consider, whether you’re an entrepreneur or simply need a quiet space to be productive.

The Office “Charlotte” and “City” 1

The two industrial-chic sites offer 2,200m2 of open and private working space and host several events. Rumours have it that a third space is in the works in the north as well. ↳ www.theoffice.lu

2

Play the game Approach networking like a game, and if you don’t feel naturally confident in event settings, just fake it ‘til you make it (a smile and good posture are just two ways to make you look like a pro). Create some “game” rules, e.g., challenge yourself to pay three people a compliment, speak a foreign language, or ask one person five interesting questions.

You’ll be so focused on your game, you’ll forget about the rest.

When in doubt, ask People love talking about themselves, so questions are a nice way to engage others in conversation. Try to have a few go-to conversation starters so you won’t feel stuck.

↳ www.paladium.lu

3

↳ www.foundry.lu

4

It’s less intimidating to walk into a space with a few people than it is to enter a crowded room.

Sometimes event organisers will also be more available than when the event is in full swing, so take the time to get acquainted with a few people you can meet up with later.

Consider a friend… or not Bringing one friend to an event can be helpful in not feeling alone. But be aware that you don’t spend all your time focused on this one person, otherwise you may miss out on opportunities.

Bamhaus

At once a creative agency and coworking space, Bamhaus encourages a true social ecosystem and the sharing of ideas amongst creatives.

It’s located in a former industrial site in Dommeldange, across some 1,600m2.

Focus on one Scale down the challenge: make it your goal to leave with just one new professional contact.

Target those who are there solo, someone with an empty seat next to them or loners near the drink stand. Meeting just one person keeps the task simple, but you never know--you might end up with several business cards.

Foundry

Launched in June 2019, the organisers call the space “the world’s first conversion hub”, one specialising in supporting mature companies wanting to test the European market before establishing their own offices.

↑

Arrive early

Paladium

Located in Bonnevoie, established

by Synergy Group, the space offers “human-sized coworking”, with plenty of cosy corners and greenery. Meeting areas are named after renowned entrepreneurs, like “Steve Jobs” and “Jeff Bezos”.

↳ www.bamhaus.lu

↑

Go digital Whether it’s lack of time or distaste for crowds that’s preventing you from face-to-face networking, connecting online can be another great way to make new professional contacts.

Consider posting a link or article on LinkedIn, or making contacts through online professional groups or chambers, many of which also have a presence on Twitter or Facebook.

5

Wishbox

Classic design across 220m2, this space is based in the Bereldange/Walferdange area-ideal to serve those coming from the north or west. ↳ www.wishbox.lu

↑ Gérard Matheis, Managing Director

↑ Sinan Sar, Director, Member of Management

↑ Claude Crauser, Director, Member of Management

Investment

Making finance personal If you want finance and corporate services that are right for you, you need a truly personal approach.

We spoke to United’s Managing Director Gérard Matheis about why bespoke is best when it comes to managing wealth. sponsored content by

United International Management

T

his is a special time for United. The company, which specialises in offering tailor-made investment and wealth services to corporate and private clients, will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary in July. Since 2009, United has grown organically thanks to its ability to develop tight, professional relationships with its clients.

For Gérard Matheis, the Managing Director of United’s Luxembourg office, it’s the unique and personal nature of these bonds that have made the company so successful.

“The most important thing is to focus on the individual busines -- everyone has different needs. A good provider begins by making a detailed analysis of what a business already has, what works well

and where things could be improved.

That’s what we do. From there, we make tailored recommendations based on our clients’ requirements.”

In order to meet those requirements, however, it’s also crucial to have the right staff. United, for instance, is able to draw on 150 legal, financial and IT experts globally, with 50 of those based in Luxembourg. Crucially, though, those experts must also be familiar with the issues pertaining to each individual industry.

Gérard Matheis agrees: “As a service provider, the skill and knowledge of our people is our most important asset.

We have people from a variety of backgrounds and that’s crucial in today’s rapidly changing market environment.”

Since being recognised as a Professional of the Financial Sector (PSF) and approved by the CSSF ten years ago, United has built up a particular expertise in fund services. It provides central administration and acts as registrars and transfer agents to investment funds wishing to speculate in alternative assets, such as real estate, infrastructure, private equity, venture capital and other tangible assets.

In addition to its SOC-I-Type-II-compliant fund services, it also offers corporate and securitisation vehicle services, covering company incorporation, domiciliation, accounting, reporting, tax compliance and the like.

At the moment, one of the major driving factors for United is digitisation as it seeks to help its clients improve the overall efficiency of their day-to-day corporate administration.

And the future? Outside of Luxembourg, United is actively expanding into new territories, but for Gérard Matheis the most exciting investment the company is making is in AI for compliance.

This new approach reduces the time and money its clients spend interpreting and executing new reporting standards, and in some cases can even cut the number of reports clients need to produce. “It’s a very exciting area of development and we believe it will have a huge impact in the × financial services sector.”

17 and 18 July, United will celebrate its 10th birthday during a summer party

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Investment

Photo → Patricia Pitsch / Maison Moderne

BRAND VOICE

How to

Boost your skills EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Here are a few ways to keep up to date in the Luxembourg business world without having to make a huge investment.

5 resources for starting your own company Whether you’re excited or daunted by the prospect of starting your own business, be sure to have your bases covered. Here are a few places to help you out.

House of Entrepreneurship 1

Join a MOOC Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, are generally free of charge (sometimes they require a fee for certification, however).

This is a great way to learn about topics which might not have been around when you were at uni (blockchain, coding, robotics, etc.), take a creative writing course, learn a new language at your own pace, or simply check out offerings from top universities in other countries. ↳ www.coursera.org ↳ www.edx.org

↑

Attend a business luncheon Some of the local chambers of commerce regularly host business luncheons. Over a meal, you get a chance to hear from a subject-matter expert and network with those seated at your table. Signing up to the British Chamber of Commerce or the American Chamber of Commerce newsletters is a good way to start.

2

Guichet.lu

With regular updates, the business portal section of this site is devoted to topics such as creating your business, applying for a permit, details on beneficial owners and more.

3

Luxinnovation

For those involved in innovative business, this agency provides information on topics such as incubators, formalities and partners, to name a few. Its Fit4Start accelerator also helps provide access to investors for startups.

↳ www.amcham.lu

↑

Get to class!

Check out lectures or lunch series offered by local universities or training schools.

The University of Luxembourg, for example, regularly offers lectures, and Sacred Heart University has its own lunch & learn series.

It’s a way to make the most of your lunch hour while also having something to discuss over the water cooler. ↳ www.uni.lu ↳ www.shu.lu

Practice speaking

↳ www.houseofentrepreneurship.lu

↳ guichet.public.lu

↳ www.bcc.lu

↑

Whether you’re just starting off or an already established business owner, this one-stop shop, powered by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, helps put entrepreneurs in touch with key players for support, financing and more.

Start a blog

↳ www.luxinnovation.lu

4

MyStart

A platform run by the Luxembourg government with the Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Trades, the site assists entrepreneurs in the creation of a business plan and administrative procedures, with an aim both to help entrepreneurs set up or take over and develop an already-existing business. ↳ www.mystart.lu

Chamber of Trades

For some, the thought of public speaking can be intimidating, but becoming a good speaker can help boost confidence and enhance overall presentation skills. Check out Toastmasters to get started. The group also holds workshops geared to specific topics, for example, preparing pitches as an entrepreneur.

Whether you decide to blog about a professional or personal topic, creating content online can help build your own brand and get you noticed by potential employers. Blogging is also a practical way to learn more about a website’s back-end, generating traffic and more. LinkedIn is a great place to start sharing your content or read articles posted by others.

With a special focus on crafts, its advice and services are free of charge.

It offers practical information on setting up a business, with no need to be affiliated with the organisation to benefit from such services.

↳ www.linkedin.com

↳ www.cdm.lu/creation-entreprise

Toastmasters Luxembourg

5

Photos → Matic Zorman → Patricia Pitsch (Maison Moderne) → Steve Eastwood (archives)

76

“In the MBA, we get to meet people from different industries and different positions, coming from different countries and cultures.

We have the opportunity to build an international network.�

Gonzalo de la Cuadra, MBA

Executive MBA MBA with Internship Executive Education & Business Certificates Leadership | Digital Innovation | Private Equity Core Business Skills | Corporate Finance

+352 22 76 13 - 1 | info@shu.lu | www.shu.lu

78

ADULT EDUCATION Competence Centre Offers continuous adult education and training programmes. icon_website www.iuil.lu

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

House of Training The organisation provides continuous vocational training in a range of fields, e.g., training for execs, support activities, sector and personal development.

Columbia University Alumni Club of Luxembourg

It offers a wide range of seminars, classes and specialised professional training and certifications.

icon_website www.inspiringwo-men.eu

icon_website www.alumni.columbia.edu

Harvard Club of Luxembourg

Luxembourg Business Angel Network icon_website www.lban.lu

icon_website www.hcluxembourg.clubs.harvard.edu

HEC Paris icon_website www.luxembourgforhec.com

King's College London icon_mail kcaaluxembourg@gmail.com

icon_website www.houseoftraining.lu

Lifelong-learning.lu

Inspiring Wo-Men Business Club

Miami University icon_linked_in Miami University Alumni Association Luxembourg

Oxford University Society of Luxembourg

Luxembourg Financial Markets Association icon_website www.lfma.lu

Maison Breedewee icon_website www.breedewee.com

Mumpreneurs Luxembourg icon_website www.mumpreneurs.lu

Paperjam Club

The Foundry Specialised in supporting established companies wanting to test their products in a European subsidiary via Luxembourg. icon_where 40 route d’Esch L-1470 Luxembourg icon_website www.masonbower.lu/foundry icon_info G11

The Office Luxembourg The Office Luxembourg has two business and coworking sites in the capital, offering facilities to run companies, meet clients and peers, or organise events. icon_phone 621 703 530 icon_mail office@theoffice.lu icon_website www.theoffice.lu

Urban Office

St Andrews

The Network

Some 1,600m2 of space across currently four locations: Luxembourg City, plus Bettembourg, Windhof and Esch-Belval.

Two more sites are in the works.

Offers evening classes, seminars, university courses, specialised training and professional certifications.

icon_facebook University of St Andrews Alumni Society

icon_website www.thenetwork.lu

icon_website www.urbanoffice.lu

icon_website www.lllc.lu

icon_mail <

The Second Degree ASBL

University of Luxembourg

icon_website www.lifelong-learning.lu

icon_website www.oxford.lu

Luxembourg Lifelong Learning Center

Offers courses in English over an eight-week period, typically two hours per week. icon_website www.theseconddegree.com

ALUMNI Bocconi University icon_mail arealussemburgo@alumnibocconi.it

Cambridge Society of Luxembourg icon_website www.cambridge.lu

Chicago Booth Alumni Club of Luxembourg icon_mail mbvongar@ChicagoBooth.edu

icon_website www.club.paperjam.lu

in Luxembourg

Trinity College Dublin

icon_mail alumni@uni.lu

University of Trier icon_facebook Alumni International Universität Trier

COWORKING SPACES Bamhaus A coworking space which seeks to create an ecosystem for freelancers in creative industries. icon_where 18A & 18D rue de la Cimenterie L-1337 Luxembourg icon_website www.bamhaus.lu

University of Warwick

icon_info D12

icon_website www.warwick.ac.uk

Paladium

BUSINESS NETWORKING

Chic space not far from the central train station. icon_where 10A rue du Puits L-2355 Luxembourg icon_website www.paladium.lu

Cercle Munster

icon_info G13

icon_website www.munster.lu

Silversquare

House17 icon_website www.house17.lu

Flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and event spaces across five floors. icon_where 21 rue Glesener

College of Europe Alumni Luxembourg icon_facebook College of Europe Alumni Luxembourg

Hub Dot Luxembourg icon_website www.hubdot.com

L-1631 Luxembourg icon_website www.silversquare-luxembourg.lu icon_info G12

icon_facebook Urban Office Luxembourg

Wishbox Ideal for people approaching the capital from the north or the west. icon_where 59 rue du X Octobre L-7243 Bereldange icon_website www.wishbox.lu icon_info H4

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg icon_website www.amcham.lu

Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg icon_website www.anzccl.lu

British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg icon_website www.bcc.lu

China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

JOB HUNTING

icon_website www.learnluxembourgish.com

Adem

Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg

Adem is the national employment agency in Luxembourg.

Ireland Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce icon_website www.ilcc.lu

icon_phone 24 78 88 88 icon_website www.adem.public.lu

icon_website jobs.delano.lu

Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Jobs in Luxembourg

icon_website www.cc.lu

icon_website www.jobsinluxembourg.eu

Luxembourg-Poland Chamber of Commerce

Jobs.lu

icon_website www.lpcc.lu

LinkedIn

Luxinnovation icon_website www.luxinnovation.lu

House of Startups icon_website www.host.lu

House of Entrepreneurship icon_website www.houseofentrepreneurship.lu

Moien ASBL Prolingua icon_website www.prolingua.lu

ICTJob

icon_website www.jobs.lu

icon_website www.linkedin.com

Monster icon_website www.monster.lu

Moovijob

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Institut National des Langues

My Guichet

Public centre for language learning offering classes for adults in a variety of languages.

icon_website www.myguichet.lu

icon_where 21 boulevard de la Foire

PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS

icon_website www.inll.lu

Toastmasters

Berlitz

The non-profit educational organisation operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership skills.

icon_website www.berlitz.lu

icon_website www.toastmasters.org

L-1528 Luxembourg

icon_info E11

Audio-Lingua icon_website www.audio-lingua.lu

Hello Future

icon_website www.hellofuture.lu

Chamber of Trades

Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg

icon_website www.cdm.lu

Luxembourg Bankers’ Association icon_website www.abbl.lu

Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association icon_website www.lpea.lu

The Institute for Global Financial Integrity icon_website www.tigfi.org

JEL brings together representatives from the education sector and representatives from the business world to promote an entrepreneurial spirit in Luxembourg. icon_website www.jonk-entrepreneuren.lu

Student jobs Search for jobs and advice on the government's youth site. icon_website www.jobs.youth.lu

The Guidance Centre The Maison de l’Orientation is a central point for state educational & vocational guidance.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

icon_where Place de l'Étoile

Inspectorate of Labour and Mines

Youth Guarantee

ITM enforces the country's labour code, including workplace health and safety rules.

icon_website www.caplangues.lu

Mobbing ASBL

Inlingua

This is Luxembourg's association against workplace bullying, harrassment and stress.

icon_website www.languages.lu

icon_website www.acel.lu

icon_website www.alfi.lu

icon_website www.itm.lu

Languages.lu

The student union publishes an annual guide for future diploma holders.

Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry

Cap Langues

icon_website www.inlingua.lu

Association of Luxembourg Student Groups (Acel)

Launched in 2017, Hello Future aims to encourage young people aged 14-30 years old to take up jobs in the logistics, automobile, digital and other sectors. It also offers school tours.

icon_website www.moovijob.com

LANGUAGE SKILLS

79

icon_website www.mastercraft.lu

icon_website www.moienasbl.lu

Delano Jobs

icon_website www.ictjob.lu

CREATING YOUR OWN COMPANY

Mastercraft

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG JOBSEEKERS

icon_website www.mobbingasbl.lu

L-1330 Luxembourg icon_mail info@m-o.lu icon_info E11

The Youth Guarantee is aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds who have left school or lost their job. icon_website www.jugendgarantie.lu

Professional life

icon_website www.china-lux.lu

icon_website www.ibcl.lu

Learn Luxembourgish

80

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 photo â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

Mike Zenari

Future planning Insurance, buying a home, preparing your taxes, retirement, moving away from Luxembourgâ&#x20AC;Ś not always the most fun topics to ponder, but important all the same. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what to consider. â&#x2020;&#x2019; See listings starting on page 88

81

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Are there certain areas that are more or less popular with expats?

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Luxembourg is a multicultural country, it is perfect for expatriates: 50% of the population is foreign, 70% in Luxembourg City.

Luxembourg is not segmented by different populations, so there are no areas to be ­favoured over another.

What are some common frustrations that home buyers have during the process?

As I mentioned earlier, the real estate market is rather tight because there are many buyers and few properties. You have to be able to make a decision quickly when you’re buying a home. We’ve found that 79% of properties on Athome.lu are advertised for less than two months. We advise [home buyers] to clearly define their objectives in advance and target their research in order to not lose time. It is also necessary to prepare financing plans ahead of time, in order to be as reactive as possible. interview

Real estate

Hunting for property?

Be reactive If you’re looking to buy a home, plan in advance and be ready to move fast, says Soufiane Saadi. words

Aaron Grunwald

T

he grand duchy has, to put it mildly, a competitive and fast-paced real estate market. For tips on how new arrivals can get on the Luxembourg property ladder, Delano spoke with Soufiane Saadi, group operations director with Athome.lu, one of the country’s largest real estate listings sites and a mortgage broker.

What advice would you give expats who want to buy their first home in Luxembourg? aaron grunwald

When you arrive in Luxembourg and you want to buy a property, first you have to be familiar with prices on the Luxembourg real estate market. In the grand duchy, demand for real estate is greater than supply. So you have to be soufiane saadi

photo

Lala La Photo

reactive, because properties can sell very quickly. To prepare, it is quite important to clearly define your search criteria in advance and to keep [your schedule] flexible to be able to visit properties.

How should you begin a search?

90% of real estate searches start on the internet. This is the best way to get a global view of the market. Portals such as Athome. lu offer a very wide selection of the listings available in Luxembourg. [Signing up for] email alerts allows you to be notified as soon as a new property arrives on the market, which allows you to be very responsive. Those who do not have the time or are not here [in the country] might entrust their research to a real estate agent.

When applying for a mortgage, what documents and information do banks generally want to review?

The documents requested for a mortgage are the following: 3 to 6 months of payslips, employer’s salary certificate, 3 to 6 months of bank statements, the repayment plan of any other existing home loans, proof of savings, proof of other income (such as rent) and other loans (such as consumer credit) and a down payment. All these documents will make it possible to define the borrowing capacity of the buyer.

How long does the process typically take, from beginning the search through the final signatures at the notary’s office?

If the property purchase plan is well thought out and financing lined up in advance, it takes an average of three months to buy a property in Luxembourg.

What else should people know about buying their first property in Luxembourg?

A first purchase in Luxembourg remains a safe bet, even if prices are high. The country is growing, GDP grew by 2.6% in 2018, the population is growing very quickly, and real estate is in great demand. In addition, with low interest rates--an average fixed rate of 1.7% according to the latest figures from the Luxembourg Central Bank--and real estate prices up--by 10% for apartments between March 2018 and March 2019 and by 12% for houses, according to Athome figures--Luxembourg real estate is a very good investment. × ↳ www.athome.lu

Find the home that suits your family

Your Residential Agency in Luxembourg. Selling, Renting, Valuation & Consultancy. A dedicated team to support you.

We can advise you in your language LUX – FR – EN – NL – DE – IT - SP

JLLR.lu | T. 46 45 40

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Retirement

Making new goals for yourself Johannes Heuschkel and Mara Kroth are helping retirees to get out there. words

W

Aaron Grunwald

photo

hat happens when you retire? “You worked your whole life, but your friends from work, they disappear. It’s a fact,” says Mara Kroth of GoldenMe. “But you’re there, your kids are gone, you have money, you have time, if you’re lucky you have around 13 more years to live and to self-develop and to explore. And that’s kinda the thought behind” GoldenMe. The group is “an active community for people aged 50 plus,” which aims to “tackle loneliness and social isolation,” she says.

Although anyone 50 and up can participate, GoldenMe has a particular focus on those who are preparing for or have recently taken retirement.

Currently, they organise “GoldenMe events” such as a conference on mindful-

Patricia Pitsch (Maison Moderne)

ness for seniors and a series of “smartphone cafés” where millennials answer tech questions, says the outfit’s Johannes Heuschkel. They also have a newsletter (in English) and a calendar on their website featuring events put on by other groups.

In the future, they hope to add “GoldenMe groups” which will connect people around similar interests.

Kroth says the idea is to meet new people in an “open” environment. While retirement, and the loss of that social network, is difficult for everyone, “I think for expats it’s even harder than for Luxembourgish people,” who have family and community connections here. But expats should not feel intimidated by perceived nationality and language barriers: “I’d say if you want

to do something, you can do it. In Luxembourg there are a lot of opportunities, but it’s about your own attitude.”

GoldenMe got started as a project at the University of Luxembourg Incubator, with Kroth’s team winning first prize at 2018 Ideation Camp startup competition. After that Kroth continued to develop the idea and asked Heuschkel, a fellow German psychology student at the university, to join. Since then, they’ve picked up prizes from the Falling Walls Lab conference and Nyuko and the labour ministry’s Impuls programme, which has provided enough seed money to keep GoldenMe going till they graduate. The ultimate goal is to create a formal structure and work on the project full-time. Kroth and Heuschkel are also looking for more members to join and for financial donors.

While they are far from retirement themselves, GoldenMe did start by “conducting over 30 in-depth interviews with our target group” on topics from how they felt about retirement to their use of technology, says Heuschkel. They also were recently joined by their first volunteer, freshly retired herself at the age of 58.

Take action

That said, Kroth does have some advice for those getting ready to retire. “Once you’re retired, you don’t have a professional goal anymore. So the focus is more on yourself. And for some people that’s cool, because they do all the things they couldn’t do before, but some people get their total fulfilment at work. So once you’re retired, I would say just to try to figure what you want now, what is your goal for retirement, where do you see yourself in some years.”

Just as you did when you left school, ask yourself: “Who are you now? What do you want to do? What do you wish for? What do you not want, that’s really important.

Then try to make a plan” to meet those personal objectives.

Heuschkel adds: “Ideally you ask yourself this question a year before you’re going to retire” and not when you’ve already stopped working. Otherwise you “risk falling into a rut”. × GoldenMe aims to make retirement more active and inclusive. ↳ www.goldenme.me

ADVERTORIAL Tom Welter, Pascale Heinerscheid, Sandy Wewer, Mark Uldall and Anna Tricarico

At KBL Luxembourg, we offer local expertise and global insight, informed by multicultural perspective.

KBL Luxembourg Private banking experts who speak your language and understand your needs

Whether you’re a Luxembourgish citizen or an expatriate who currently calls the Grand Duchy home, rest assured that our Luxembourg Team has the skills and experience to accompany you on your journey, whatever your wealth management needs.

With decades of experience serving wealthy individuals and their family in Luxembourg – over a period when the country has become increasingly prosperous and diverse – our private bankers speak your language and understand your needs.

Providing access to a comprehensive range of services and the degree of

involvement of your choice in the management of your finances, we take an open-architecture approach, ensuring that you enjoy access to the investments funds and financial products that are right for you.

As a member of KBL European Private Bankers, we also draw upon the expertise of our 2,000 colleagues across our 50-city network to meet your specific long-term requirements.

Contact our Luxembourg Team to find out how we can help you achieve your ambitions:

Sandy WEWER Head of Luxembourg Desk +352 4797 3900 sandy.wewer@kbl-bank.com

How to

Inheritance law in Luxembourg can surprise people used to a different legal tradition. For example, children can inherit half of their deceased parent’s home, even while the other parent is still alive.

Here’s a brief primer. ↓

Write a will EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Marriage contracts The starting point is to understand the different types of marriage contracts. ↓ Statutory marriage regime (default if no marriage contract)

Assets held before marriage Assets received during the marriage from donations or inheritance Assets and income resulting from couple’s work

Assets held separately, with inheritance governed by the law or a will

Separate ownership marriage/ civil partnership/non-legally recognised partnership

Joint ownership marriage regime

Assets held separately, with inheritance governed by the law or a will

Assets held in common and inherited directly by surviving spouse

Assets held in common and inherited directly by surviving spouse

The impact on inheritance When one spouse passes away, all assets held in common by the couple go automatically to the surviving spouse.

All assets held individually are either distributed following the legal standard, or as per a will. According to the law, descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.) have the first claim on individually held assets, not the surviving spouse. By default, children receive an equal share of the amount being bequeathed, with two siblings each receiving 50%, three 33.33% each, four 25%, and so on. Parents can change this to a certain extent in their will, giving a share of their assets to any person or organisation they chose, within legal limits. →

How to

Legal limits of the share of estates that can be inherited by children Legal default share*

One child Two children Three children

Maximum share of the estate the legator can reallocate through a will

100%

50%-100%

50%

50%

33.33%-66.67%

33.33% 25%

33.33%

25%-50%

Four children

25%

20%-40%

20%

Five children

20%

16.66%-33.33%

16.66%

Max your tax deductions The Luxembourg tax code offers us numerous ways to cut our tax bills, including write-offs for insurance premiums, interest payments, saving to buy a home and paying for childcare & housecleaning services. Here’s a quick rundown, but consult with a tax professional for full details. →

Share of estate that can be inherited per child.

The lower figure is the legal minimum*

*Note: If the remaining spouse opts to take a “child’s share” rather than taking usufruct of the family home, his/her share cannot be less than 25%.

The remaining 75% is divided between the children.

Annual limits for deductions/tax credits

Mortgage interest (primary residence)

€1,000-€2,000 per person

Debt interest

€672

Insurance premiums

€672

Personal pension

Up to €3,200

Employee contribution to occupational pension

€1,200

Home savings scheme

€672-€1,344 per person (conditions & restrictions apply)

Childcare/housekeeping/home health aid

€5,400

Children not at home

€4,020 per child

Single-parent tax credit

€750-€1,500

Alimony

Up to €24,000

Commuting expenses

Up to €2,574

Source → Delano research

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TAX FORMS Tax forms

TAX FILING SERVICE

AXA icon_website www.axa.lu

Baloise Assurances

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

icon_website www.impotsdirects.public.lu

Taksen

TAX ADVISORY

icon_website www.taksen.lu

Taxx.lu

Banque de Luxembourg

These firms provide tax consulting and services to private individuals.

icon_website www.taxx.lu

icon_website www.banquedeluxembourg.com

HOME PURCHASE SAVINGS PLAN

Banque et Caisse d’Épargne de l’État

Contributions and interest income to 3 authorised home savings schemes can be tax deductible.

icon_website www.banquehavilland.com

Analie Tax & Consulting icon_website www.analietax.com

AssCo Fisc icon_website www.asscofisc.com

BA Tax Accountants icon_website www.ba-tax.ba-group.lu

BDO icon_website www.bdo.lu

Ecovis Luxembourg icon_website www.ecovis.com/lu

Fiduciaire Comptable Becker, Gales & Brunetti icon_website www.bgb.lu

Fiduciaire Interrégionale icon_website www.fiduciaire-interregionale.lu

Galux Tax Services icon_facebook Galux

Grant Thornton icon_website www.grantthornton.lu

IF Group icon_website www.ifgroup.lu

Mazars icon_website www.mazars.lu

PwC icon_website www.pwc.lu

Tax4Expats Luxembourg icon_website www.tax4expats-lux.com

VGD Luxembourg icon_website lu.vgd.eu

Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall icon_website www.schwaebisch-hall.de

BHW Bausparkasse

icon_website www.baloise.lu

icon_website www.bcee.lu

Banque Havilland Banque Internationale à Luxembourg

Private Wealth Advisors icon_website www.privatewealthadvisors.lu

Professional Investment Consultants icon_website www.pic-europe.com

Raiffeisen icon_website www.raiffeisen.lu

Spectrum IFA Group icon_website www.spectrum-ifa.com

United Advisers Group icon_website www.unitedadvisersgroup.com

VP Bank

icon_website www.bil.lu

icon_website lu.vpbank.com

Banque Degroof Petercam icon_website www.degroofpetercam.lu

GROUPS FOR RETIREES

BGL BNP Paribas

60+ Netværk

icon_website www.bgl.lu

icon_website www.60pluslux.com

East-West United Bank

Club Seniors

icon_website www.bhw.lu

Wüstenrot Bausparkasse icon_website www.wuestenrot.lu

PENSIONS National Pension Insurance Fund (CNAP) Private sector employee retirement and disability pensions are covered by the state-run CNAP. Civil servants have separate systems. icon_website www.cnap.lu

icon_website www.ewub.lu

Foyer Assurances icon_website www.foyer.lu

HMS Markets Luxembourg icon_website www.hmslux.com

ING

FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENT ADVICE

icon_website www.ing.lu

Services to meet goals from retirement to wealth preservation are provided by a number of banks and insurers.

icon_website www.kbl.lu

Arena Wealth Management

Internaxx Bank icon_website www.internaxx.com

KBL European Private Bankers Keytrade Bank icon_website www.keytradebank.lu

LaLux Assurances icon_website www.lalux.lu

icon_website www.awm.lu

Lombard International icon_website www.lombardinternational.com

icon_website www.luxsenior.lu

GoldenMe icon_facebook GoldenMe Luxembourg

Meetup icon_website www.meetup.com

Volunteering Agency (Agence du Bénévolat) This office is a clearinghouse for registered charities looking for volunteers. icon_website www.benevolat.public.lu

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90

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Anyone covered by Luxembourg health insurance is automatically covered for long-term care. It can cover residential facilities and help at home, including home and car adaptions.

Administration for Evaluation and Controls (AEC) icon_website www.assurance-dependance.lu

HELP AT HOME

RETIREMENT & CARE HOMES Association Luxembourg Alzheimer icon_website www.alzheimer.lu

Cohabit’Age icon_website www.cohabit-age.lu

Camille network

Elisabeth icon_website www.elisabeth.lu

icon_website www.croix-rouge.lu

Meals on Wheels Residents 65 and up who have trouble cooking at home can request a “repas-sur-roues” lunch delivery weekdays via their town hall. icon_website www.syvicol.lu

Proactif This job retraining NGO offers gardening and handyman services at competitive prices. icon_website www.proactif.lu

Stëftung Hëllef Doheem icon_website www.shd.lu

Verbandskëscht

DKDB law office icon_website www.dkdb.lu

Karine Reuter notary office

Rehazenter icon_website www.rehazenter.lu

icon_website www.servior.lu

Sodexo Seniors icon_website www.sodexoseniors.lu

ESTATE PLANNING Advice on drafting a will and inheritance can be sought from a lawyer or “notaire” (notary), a highly specialised solicitor in family and property law (there are 36 in Luxembourg). These legal advisors provide their services in English.

European Directory of Notaries This EU website lists notaries in Luxembourg by languages spoken. icon_website www.notaries-directory.eu

Birden & Gilson law office

Map Relocations icon_website www.map-relocations.com

Mover Maniac

Kronshagen law office

Moving People 2 Luxembourg

Lex Thielen & Associés Martin law office

icon_website www.mp2lux.lu

Santa Fe Relocation Services icon_website www.santaferelo.com

icon_website www.martin-avocats.com

Thewes & Reuter law office Wagener & Erpelding law office

Streff icon_website www.streff.lu

Team Relocations icon_website www.teamrelocations.com

Trane Lux

icon_website www.w-e.lu

icon_website www.tranelux.lu

RELOCATION COMPANIES

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

These firms can help plan and organise a move from Luxembourg.

AB-Lux icon_website www.ab-lux.com

Active Relocation Luxembourg

English-speaking funeral directors.

Erasmy icon_website www.erasmy.lu

Maison Platz icon_website www.platz.lu

icon_website www.arlux.lu

Best Estate Services Luxembourg

Pompes Funèbres Brandenburger icon_website www.feuerbestattung.lu

icon_website www.bestservices.lu

Elite Relocation

icon_phone 46 35 63

icon_website www.eliterelocation.lu

Blanche Moutrier notary office

European Relocation Services

icon_website www.notaire-moutrier.lu

icon_website www.europeanrelocationservices.lu

Carlo Goedert notary office

LuxRelo

icon_website www.vbk.lu

icon_website www.cgoedert.lu

icon_website www.relocation-luxembourg.com

icon_website www.movermaniac.lu

icon_website www.thewes-reuter.lu

Servior

Management Mobility Consulting

icon_website www.notaire-reuter.lu

icon_website www.lexthielen.com

Fondation Jean-Pierre Pescatore

icon_website www.camille.lu

Luxembourg Red Cross

icon_website www.deynecourt.com

icon_website www.kronshagen.lu

icon_website www.fondation.lu

These organisations provide home assistance and care that allow seniors to keep living in their own place.

Deynecourt law office

icon_facebook LuxRelo

Pompes Funèbres Calmes icon_website www.calmes.eu

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Leisure time Whether you enjoy yoga or running marathons, indulging in cocktails or taking cooking classes, volunteering for a good cause or singing in musicals, the myriad ways you can spend your leisure time in Luxembourg means you shouldn’t be stuck for ideas. One thing is clear, Luxembourg is never boring. This chapter shows you how to get the most out of your spare time and we recommend our favourite music venues and bars and list places and sights that you should visit or take visitors to see once you have ticked them off your own list. → See listings starting on page 104

photo

Mike Zenari

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Getting out

Keep an open mind Self-confessed anglophile Carole Miltgen talks about the restaurant and bar scene and her volunteer work. words

F

Duncan Roberts

ew Luxembourgers are better known in anglophile business and social circles than Carole Miltgen. The founder and CEO of financial services company Prisma finds it hard to turn down invitations to business events and, thanks to a group of friends that includes local gastronomy journalists and bar owners, she is something of a fixture on the restaurant and bar scene.

Her love of English began with sojourns in South Africa, where she also discovered a passion for the sport of rugby, and London. Indeed, looking back at her career, Miltgen has always worked for anglophone companies. “Somebody once told me the language that you choose to count out money or think of a phone number

photo

Matic Zorman

is the language you are most comfortable with, and I do both in English.”

Although she feels the heyday of Luxembourg nightlife was when she was in her thirties--“those were happy days”--Miltgen says that nowadays she tends to go back to the same places she really enjoys. “Whereas years ago I would immediately rush to new places that had opened. I now love the idea of JOMO--the joy of missing out. I don’t go to a place now just because it’s in fashion.

I go because of the people who go there or work there, or because of the food.”

Another aspect that has changed her going-out habits is a shift in attitudes to drink-driving. “I fully support that people are more careful and I would rather

choose a restaurant that I can get to by public transport. And for lunch, working in Kirchberg now, I tend to go to restaurants on the tramline instead of driving and trying to find parking.” Dining out, in any case, has become, she feels, a habit rather than a treat as it was when Miltgen was a child. Even when she graduated from high school, classmates took a favourite teacher out for Chinese--“which was still exotic back then”. The ritual of today is for Luxembourg school leavers to fly down to Lloret de Mar in Spain for a few days of well-earned R and R. Talking of going abroad, Miltgen was recently in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and says she can now see that the choice for nonmeat eaters in Luxembourg is very limited.

“I am a meat eater, but my vegan and vegetarian friends often complain about the lack of quality you get.” Living in the capital city does however provide much more choice than rural areas, for example. As for talk of bad service in Luxembourg, Miltgen defends her native country. “I have had really bad service in university cities like Rotterdam. I think it works both ways. I find that some customers can have a very rude attitude. I look waiters in the eye and even ask them personal questions if I am a regular.”

Miltgen has long been a supporter of Rugby Club Luxembourg and did not hesitate when asked to get involved in communications and marketing. “Every few years, I like to do a project or work as a volunteer for different associations. I come in and help streamline marketing, for example. It’s a lot of work, and I totally underestimate it. But it’s also fun and I get to meet new people.” She has also been active in the British Chamber of Commerce and serves as a mentor for the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce’s programme. “It is sometimes good for a new entrepreneur to have a sounding board outside of their circle of friends or family,” she explains.

And her advice for new arrivals in Luxembourg? “Don’t compare. Every country is different. Keep an open mind. And don’t complain that the shops are closed on Sunday. Use Sunday to do the things you wouldn’t do during the week--go for a run, play with your children, cook, read. And get it out of your head that Luxembourg is boring. It’s just not true!” × ↳ www.prisma.lu

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Nightlife

On the decks DJ Andrew Martin has seen plenty of change in the nightlife scene over the last 20 years. words

W

Duncan Roberts

hen Andrew Martin returned to Luxembourg, the country in which he had been born some 19 years earlier, to visit his parents for Christmas in December 2000, he did not expect to still be here 19 years later. But a stop off at The Tube during a night out on the town led to an offer of a DJ gig at the bar and from that opening salvo in his Luxembourg career, Martin has not looked back.

After returning to the UK and considering the offer, Martin decided it was worth a shot. “I just started DJing everywhere really. Quite soon afterwards, I discovered The Elevator [now Spot 48 on rue de H ­ ollerich] and became a regular clubber there. I got to know everyone and got a monthly resi-

photo

Matic Zorman

dency. Since then, my network has grown, and I have played in almost every venue here.” In 2003, Martin started to really get into the techno that has become his hallmark, although more recently, under the name Grand Funk Audio, he has been exploring funk and soul and breaks, and a bit of drum’n’bass. “Now, I can do almost any genre, though I would refuse to do EDM or reggaeton because I don’t know enough about them.”

For those of us old enough to recall the heyday of The Elevator with Martin and DJs like Maxwell George (a true pioneer in Luxembourg), Ben Andrews and Nic ­Scarlett, it remains the best ever venue in Luxembourg--a place where anything

went and posing was eschewed. Martin says Steiler in the old town, owned by former Elevator barmaid Lorraine Hegarty, is the venue that currently can hold a light to The Elevator. “It’s got the best sound system in town. People can feel the music, so the magic of the records I play comes through much better. You can hype up the crowd and get people going just by playing good tracks.”

One of the defining changes Martin has seen over the past few years is in the shortening of attention span. “Vines and videos on Instagram and Facebook are all less than one minute. You really have to chop and change. If the crowd is not highly thrilled and entertained within 30 seconds, they lose interest. So, DJs have to work much harder now to get people’s attention.”

Changes in licensing laws, allowing many bars to stay open until 3 a.m. at weekends, are good but have hurt the clubs who have not managed to get a 6 a.m. licence such as Melusina, says Martin. “It’s one of the few places that actually has a light jockey, which makes such a difference to the atmosphere.” But he is not a fan of clubs that focus on having “VIP” tables where clubbers spend several hundred euros on overpriced drinks. “If you pay €1,000 to feel important, you’re not important.”

Martin’s reputation has now spread beyond the grand duchy and he is regularly asked to DJ in Amsterdam and Ibiza and other cities in Europe. He has also set up his own labels, Area 352, which is used to put out his own music and tracks

by DJ friends, and more recently Front Bar ­Records, which focuses on funk and even lo-fi. And he also has his own “Speed of Sound” show available on Mixcloud.

As for anyone looking to start out as a DJ in Luxembourg, Martin says spending time working the bars before announcing yourself as a club or festival DJ is essential.

“Everyone wants to be a superstar straight away. Be approachable and be prepared to play on systems that may not be top of the range--don’t be arrogant.” He has seen plenty of “crap” DJs emerge recently but recommends Mark Russell as someone who has a natural talent to get any crowd going. “And in the underground, techno scene, Marylin has the right attitude, mixes really well. She’s got something that stands out.” × icon_facebook DJ Andrew Martin

How to

So, you’re going out for drinks and you know you will probably have one too many to be able to drive later.

Here are some alternative ways to make sure you arrive home in one piece without incurring the wrath of the police and without spending an arm and a leg on a taxi.

Top 10 live music venues

Use public transport Luxembourg City has four night bus routes that operate in the capital from midnight until 3:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. CFL runs late night trains on Friday and Saturday nights heading to stops on the Troisvierges and Rodange lines. ↳ www.vdl.lu www.cfl.lu

Book a Night Rider Sales-Lentz’s minibus service is great if you are out with friends. Group bookings are value for money and you can even get the bus to pick up or drop off people en route to your final destination. But it’s very popular, so book well in advance. ↳ www.nightrider.lu

Play your AXA Joker Insurance company AXA has its Joker Taxi service for motor vehicle policy holders, entitling them to free taxi rides three times a year within a 70-kilometre radius of their home.

2 place des Rotondes, L-2448 Luxembourg-Gare ↳ www.rotondes.lu G12

2

Taxis are notoriously expensive in the grand duchy, especially if nighttime or Sunday supplements are being added to the standard journey price.

At least by booking a Webtaxi you will know in advance how much the luxury is going to cost.

Photo → LetsPicsAboutit

Admittedly only an option for shorter distances, but a good oxygen-pumping stretch of the legs after a night on the booze helps clear the head. And remember, it is still illegal to cycle while inebriated.

6

Opderschmelz

Renowned as a jazz venue with a great reputation among some of the leading artists of the scene.

1 rue du Centenaire, L-3475 Dudelange ↳ www.opderschmelz.lu J4

1 place de l’Europe, L-1499 Luxembourg-Kirchberg ↳ www.philharmonie.lu G12 3

Den Atelier

The pioneer of live music venues, the A has managed to gain an international reputation among artists as one of the friendliest venues on the European circuit. And where else could you see the likes of Foals or The Streets with just 900 other souls?

54 rue de Hollerich, L-1741 Luxembourg-Gare ↳ www.atelier.lu D13 4

De Gudde Wëllen

With a regular Wednesday gig featuring upand-coming international artists--usually for less than €10--and a mix of cult bands and local acts, the GW is a great place to discover new talent.

17 rue du St. Esprit, L-1475 Luxembourg-Centre ↳ www.deguddewellen.lu G11

↳ www.webtaxi.lu

Walk

Philharmonie

An iconic building, superb acoustics and a programme that is world class make the Philharmonie one of the most agreeable places to listen to live music--from classical superstars to leading lights of the jazz and world music scene.

↳ www.axa.lu

Grab a webtaxi

Rotondes

1

Not quite as superb as its predecessor (the now defunct CarréRotondes), but under the guidance of Marc Hauser and his cohort Nicolas Przeor, Rotondes still attracts some of the best independent artists on the circuit. It is the perfect size for a gig, and its Congés Annulés summer programme is second to none.

7

Kulturfabrik

The former slaughterhouse is a cracking little venue that hosts punk and metal gigs but also some off-the-wall independent artists.

116 rue de Luxembourg, L-4221 Esch-sur-Alzette ↳ www.kulturfabrik.lu J3 8

Sang a Klang

The home of the Blues Club Lëtzebuerg, the venue attracts knowledgeable fans to its regular Friday night concerts featuring artists from around the world.

Rue Vauban/rue des Trois-Glands, L-2663 Luxembourg ↳ www.bluesclub.lu E12 9

Liquid

Hosts regular jazz gigs every Tuesday and live Blues every Thursday.

15 rue Münster, L-2160 Luxembourg-Grund

5

Rockhal

liquidbarlux F12

The big hall attracts some of the biggest names in the business. It is a great venue when the artist and the crowd find common union and its Sonic Visions festival has put Luxembourg on the map.

The new kid on the block, this is a uniquely intimate venue for singer-songwriters.

5 avenue du Rock’n’Roll, L-4083 Esch-Belval

1 rue de Trèves, L-2631 Luxembourg-Grund

↳ www.rockhal.lu

J3

10

Troubadour

@troubadourgrund F12

Leisure time

Get home safely

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Bar guide

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Luxembourg bar life has arguably never been so diverse. From chic cocktail venues to spit and sawdust drinking holes, from watching TV sports to dancing to top DJs, here’s our guide to the best.

Oscar’s 9 Bisserweg, 1238 Luxembourg-Grund ↳ www.oscars.lu/grund

Top DJs Ënnert de Steiler The best sound system in Luxembourg, according to our sources, and a mecca for the best DJs in town who keep the place rocking until the early hours.

Great selection of drinks and cool bar staff too.

F12

The Tube 8 rue Sigefroi, 2536 Luxembourg-Centre E12

2 rue de la Loge, 1945 Luxembourg-Centre F12 Ennert de Steiler

Cocktails and flirting

Watching sport

Octans

The Base

A sophisticated bar in the middle of the golden triangle of upper city nightlife, Octans attracts smartly dressed professionals in their late 20s to early 50s.

A relatively new bar out in Kockelscheuer, the spacious room has four big screen TVs and attracts a knowledgeable football crowd. Also serves lunches and BBQs in summer.

15 rue du Curé, 1368 Luxembourg-Centre

Max + Moritz 2-4 avenue du Dix Septembre, 2550 Luxembourg-Merl

1899 Kockelscheuer I14 ↳ www.thebase.lu

Paname 50 rue Sainte-Zithe, 2763 Luxembourg-Centre G12 ↳ www.paname.lu

How to Blag free drinks Every weekday after work, somewhere in Luxembourg, there is a cocktail reception. Here’s some tips on how to get invited.

1740 Luxembourg-Gare G12

Rocas 33 rue des Capucins, 1313 Luxembourg-Centre F12

Craft Corner A bar in Bonnevoie that brews its own beers and has a great selection of guest beers on tap.

You can try a flight of beers for tasting or get right down to the nitty-gritty of ordering pints of your favourite new brew.

112 rue de Bonnevoie, 1261 Luxembourg G12 ↳ www.craftcorner.lu

Crossfire

Expat vibe

15 rue Dicks, L-1417 Luxembourg G12 ↳ www.crossfire.lu

Oscar’s Diner 2 rue de Strasbourg,

F11 ↳ www.maxmoritz.lu

8 rue de Hollerich,

6C route de Luxembourg,

E12 ↳ octans.business.site

Spot 48

Craft beers

2560 Luxembourg-Gare G12 ↳ www.oscars.lu/diner

The Game Downtown 7 Cote d’Eich, 1450 Luxembourg-Centre

The Black Stuff Not just for the Irish or fans of Guinness, this cosy and friendly bar has been a hangout for expats and locals for more than 20 years.

It hosts occasional live music and shows sports on TV.

Get on the gallery circuit 1

Luxembourg is flooded with private art galleries and public museums.

Get on their mailing list and you’ll be invited to exhibition openings where you can drink a glass or three of crémant before anyone latches on to the fact that you don’t know your Jeff Wall from your Joe Allen.

15 rue Münster, 2160 Luxembourg F12 ↳ www.liquid.lu

15 Val de Hamm, 1714 Luxemburg-Pulvermühle

E12 ↳ www.thegamedowntown.lu

Liquid

F14

Join a business chamber or a charity 2

Business chambers host regular events at which a drinks reception is a small price to pay for listening to a presentation on blockchain or the latest CSSF circular.

Local charities like to schmooze donors and you’ll assuage your guilt at overindulging by helping a worthwhile cause.

Become a journalist 3

OK, you won’t make enough money to afford rent or any other luxuries--but if you can sustain yourself on crémant and canapes then it’s well worth it. And you might even get some “free” lunches to boot (though we all know there’s no such thing).

Even freelancers get to live the high life on occasion.

WHAT IS THIS?

A torture instrument from the 14th century A vice for glove sewing from the 19th century An old device for pulling out milk teeth I have no idea! I will download the app “Lëtzebuerg City Museum: The Luxembourg Story” The mobile application “Lëtzebuerg City Museum: The Luxembourg Story” provides better orientation, increases interactivity and offers audiovisual and textual content to learn more about the museum’s works.

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← Learn Luxembourgish Language opens doors

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20 interview

Getting involved

Make people smile When Dutchman Marcel Hagendoorn settled in Luxembourg some 30 years ago, he loved its greenness and multiculturalism. His field of work has changed, but the basics remain. words

A

Duncan Roberts

fter five years travelling the world, Marcel Hagendoorn decided it was ­ time to “get serious” and get a job in the financial sector, where he had had some experience. After dismissing New York (“very difficult at the time to get a green card”), Switzerland (for similar reasons) and London (“I didn’t want the commute every morning”), he settled on Luxembourg. “I remembered it from holidays with my parents as a very nice and green country. Coupled with its financial market, it was the perfect combination.”

His first job was with ABN Amro. “Starting at the very bottom, filing account statements.” But he quickly worked his way up the ladder--“at that time, the e­ asiest way to do that was by changing employers”--and

photo

Matic Zorman

ended up as a senior investment advisor at van Lanschot Bankiers.

But the changes in the financial markets over the years made him reconsider his career path. “I was no longer interested and wanted to do something where I would be going to the office with a smile on my face.” So, in October 2012, he launched Kanner Wonsch--Luxembourgish for “kids’ wish”. The local charity, based on a similar model Hagendoorn had seen operate in Australia when he was visiting relatives down under, raises funds to grant significant wishes to children with critical medical conditions.

He says Kanner Wonsch has really taken off since it adopted its Luxembourgish

name. “I can only recommend learning the language. The moment you do this, you see a smile on the face of locals and it really opens doors. Almost anything is possible.”

Hagendoorn now has Luxembourg nationality, and although he says that Luxembourg offers expats a super environment to live and work in, so respecting the language is part of the deal, he also has little time for Luxembourgers who complain that some service industry employees speak only French. “French is one of the official languages, so why are you blaming them?”

Kanner Wonsch, which now has société d’impact sociétal status, allowing donations to be tax deductible, has helped grant some 25 wishes since it launched. They have ranged from being a princess for a day to meeting Ed Sheeran, from watching a Real Madrid match to being a superhero.

The charity now has two full-time employees and some 70 volunteers, who reflect the cosmopolitan nature of Luxembourg’s population. “I think we have people from 27 different nationalities,” says ­Hagendoorn. “That is one of the main reasons I am still here after 30 years. Luxembourg is like a village, but on the other hand it is super, super international.”

When he first arrived in the grand duchy, Hagendoorn says he deliberately did not become a member of the Dutch club.

“Luxembourg is the world’s most beautiful melting pot, why would we artificially stick with our own nationality? If I want to see Dutch people, I can drive to Maastricht.”

He recommends getting involved in your local community, be it through children’s sports (his son played for Sparta basketball club in Bertrange) or volunteering at the local fête or Christmas market, for example.

“Don’t remain an expat.” × ↳ www.wonsch.lu

Kiss hello, kiss goodbye

Meeting someone in a social situation for the first time or in a professional situation is straightforward--a firm handshake is the way. But when you’ve met that person a few times in a social situation, should you greet with a kiss on the cheek? And if so, how many?

In and around the capital and in the south of the country, expect to be offered cheeks to kiss if a woman is involved. But not always. On the whole, men stick to handshakes. However, the more you progress northwards, eastwards or westwards, the more the tendency is not to kiss.

When kissing as a social greeting, go for the right cheek first. But, importantly, do not actually kiss the cheek (or ear if you’ve gone in too far by accident). You need a light cheek-to-cheek brush and an almost imperceptible kissing sound. And please try to avoid ostentatious “air kisses” with faces several centimetres apart.

Also, in Luxembourg, when greeting a group of people of above about half a dozen, a few nods should suffice.

Or else just forget all of the above and nod and smile sheepishly. People understand.

These 10 films, all with English subtitles, will offer an insight into the national psyche, how Luxembourgers think, their sense of humour and their relationship to recent history.

1

Doudege Wénkel

The finest noir thriller to come out of the grand duchy, Christophe Wagner’s film explores corruption in the financial industry and the seedier side of Luxembourg’s nightlife scene. It features cracking performances from Jules Werner and André Jung.

2

Superjhemp Retörns

Scheduled for release on DVD around Christmas 2019, Luxembourg’s highest ever grossing movie is based on the iconic comic book hero who gains his strength through Kachkéis (a runny cheese spread).

5

↳ www.samsa.lu 6 3

Gutland

Govinda van Maele’s rural noir thriller with a surreal edge that also explores themes of immigration and integration, this stars Vicky Krieps, who has since gone on to have a promising international career.

4

Club des chômeurs

Any of pioneering director Andy Bausch’s films will give you an insight into Luxembourg humour and the less glamorous side of society in the grand duchy. His breakthrough “Troublemaker” and most recent feature “Rusty Boys” are recommended (the latter doesn’t have English subtitles), but “Club des chômeurs” remains his most mature film.

Photo → Samsa Film

Luxembourg’s very own video on demand platform has a vast library of Luxembourg-made films and co-productions, many with English subtitles. It also features a nice selection of European and world cinema. Unless otherwise indicated, all the films listed here can be streamed via the site. ↳ www.vod.lu/en

Baby(a)lone

Donato Rotunno’s adaptation of Tullio Forgiarini’s novel “Amok” about troubled teenagers who embark on a perilous road trip is authentic and bleak, and reveals a side of Luxembourg that all too often remains hidden.

7

Perl oder Pica

If you know any Luxembourgers born in the 1950s, then watch this film by Pol Cruchten--from the much-loved novel by Jhemp H ­ oscheit--to see how it was growing up here as a pubescent in the early 1960s.

8

Foreign Affairs

Pasha Rafiy’s documentary follows foreign affairs minister Jean Asselborn around the world as he meets with politicians and diplomats, but also provides insight into his home life.

9

Video on demand

Eng Nei Zäit

WWII and its aftermath are inescapable when talking about Luxembourg film. Christophe Wagner has made the best feature film about that period with this tragic drama about burying the memories of the Nazi occupation.

Troublemaker

Often cited as the film that inspired dozens of young Luxembourgers to become filmmakers, Andy Bausch’s raw 1988 comic drama about a couple of losers planning a bank robbery has cult status, thanks largely to an iconic performance from the late Thierry van Werveke.

10

Mos Stellarium

A documentary by artists Karolina Markiewicz and Pascal Piron about six young refugees who detail their fraught journey to Luxembourg and the problems they encounter once arrived in the grand duchy.

Leisure time

Delano correspondent Stephen Evans says that greeting people in Luxembourg is a potential minefield.

10 Luxembourg films

101

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

10 free annual events

Eat Schubi food

The grand duchy loves its traditions, both ancient and more modern. Here is Delano’s pick of the best free annual events that everyone should experience at least once during their time in Luxembourg.

The Schueberfouer stance

1

National Day eve

Luxembourg shows its street smarts by hosting the revels for its National Day holiday the evening before, allowing everyone to party to their heart’s content without having to work the next day. The fireworks display in the capital is spectacular and the best DJs and live music can be found at the Holy Ghost Street Party on rue du St. Esprit and the Corniche.

Blues’n Jazz Rallye

The streets of Grund, Clausen and Pfaffenthal buzz with crowds heading to open-air stages and cafés at the end of July. The attraction?

Some of the best blues and jazz music acts on the circuit playing free concerts from early evening until 1 a.m. and beyond.

For some seasonal cheer, head to Christmas markets on three main squares in the capital, as well as Dudelange (for a medieval version), Hesperange and other towns. Warm yourself with a glass of Glühwäin (mulled wine) and a bowl of hearty Bouneschlupp (bean soup). ↳ www.winterlights.lu 4

Rock um Knuedler & MeYouZik

6

ING Night Marathon

The city’s evening start marathon is about much more than cheering on runners.

Samba troupes provide a pulsating soundtrack and special parties--the best is in the Pétrusse--make it a real night out. ↳ www.ing-night-marathon.lu

Schueberfouer

↳ www.fouer.lu 8

Open air cinema

The Cinémathèque and the City of Luxembourg put on alfresco screenings of new films and classics at three locations over the summer. ↳ www.cinematheque.lu

Throughout the Carnival season, towns host parties and parades with floats. The best are in Diekirch, Pétange, Remich and Schifflange.

↳ www.rockumknuedler.lu and www.meyouzik.lu

↳ www.luxembourg.public.lu/en

Buergbrennen

Now bring the food item in your hands up to your mouth--do not try it the other way around--and take a bite.

Any residual juices or sauces from said food item will drip neatly down into the space between your feet. hand to mouth

If you have kids of any age, then the annual funfair on the Glacis is real highlight.

Two free music festivals on the place Clairefontaine II. Rock um Knuedler features one night of local rock and pop artists.

MeYouZik is a fabulous 2-day celebration of top world music acts.

5

Here comes the crucial bit. Slowly lower your upper body to an angle of around 55 degrees from the hips. adjust upper body

7

Christmas markets

Grab food item firmly with both hands. You don’t want to be balancing a beer in your left hand when attempting this manoeuvre. Save ordering the beverage until after you’ve eaten, then it will be nice and fresh. hold tight

Plant your feet firmly apart at a comfortable distance--about 30-40cm--to provide additional stability. This will come in useful when passersby jostle you as they try to reach the food stand or the next ride.

↳ www.bluesjazzrallye.lu 3

So, you’re at the annual funfair and you have grabbed a Gromperekichelcher or a juicy merguez. How do you avoid getting grease on your shirt front or mustard on your jeans?

legs akimbo

↳ www.vdl.lu

2

How to

9

10

Carnival parades

Émaischen

Nearly every village and neighbourhood celebrates the symbolic banishing of winter on the first Sunday of Lent with a huge bonfire built over the week preceding the event by volunteers from local organisations.

Easter Monday’s traditional markets in the old town of the capital and in Nospelt are all about ceramics, and especially the Péckvillercher clay bird whistles. Nospelt actually celebrates for the entire Easter weekend.

↳ www.luxembourg.public.lu/en

↳ www.emaischen.lu

Photo → Matic Zorman

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annonce_delano_TBYFOM_180_116_PROD.indd 1

22/06/2018 11:14

© Bohumil Kostohryz / Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg

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LIBRARIES

Ars Libri

Eislek Tourist Office

icon_where 27 rue Jean-Baptiste Gellé

icon_where 1A rue du Vieux Marché

L-1620 Luxembourg

L-9401 Vianden

Cité Bibliothèque

icon_phone 40 83 50

icon_phone 26 95 05 66

icon_where 3 rue Genistre

icon_mail info@arslibri.lu

icon_website www.visit-eislek.lu

icon_website www.arslibri.lu

icon_info D5

L-1623 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 96 27 32 icon_website www.bimu.lu icon_info E12

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Bibliothèque Nationale icon_where Opening new site on avenue JF Kennedy, in Kirchberg, in October icon_phone 22 97 55 1 icon_website www.bnl.public.lu icon_info F12

ENGLISHLANGUAGE BOOKSHOPS & NEWSAGENTS Alinea Has an extensive first-floor section dedicated to English literature. icon_where 5 rue Beaumont L-1219 Luxembourg icon_phone 22 67 87

icon_info H13

Libo icon_where Diekirch and Grevenmacher icon_website www.libo.lu

Librairie ABC icon_where 40 avenue de la Gare

All English Bookstore Book store chain Ernster’s specialist store for Englishlanguage fiction, children's books and nonfiction. icon_where 4 rue de la Reine

Blast Furnace Belval

icon_website www.littleenglishbookworm.com

K Kiosk Chain of newsagents. icon_website www.kkiosk.lu

TOURIST OFFICES Luxembourg City Tourist Office icon_where 30 place Guillaume II L-1648 Luxembourg icon_phone 22 28 09 icon_website www.lcto.lu icon_info F12

icon_website www.visitmoselle.lu

icon_mail info@visitmoselle.lu

L-2345 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 93 30 1 icon_website www.mnha.lu icon_info E12

Mudam Contemporary art museum designed by the late Ieoh Ming Pei. icon_where 3 Park Dräi Eechelen L-1499 Luxembourg icon_phone 45 37 85 1 icon_website www.mudam.lu

Am Tunnel A vast collection of visual arts, especially photographs. icon_where 16 rue Ste Zithe L-2954 Luxembourg icon_phone 40 15 24 50 icon_website www.bcee.lu icon_info F11

Mullerthal Tourist Office

Showcases medieval fortifications.

L-6402 Echternach

icon_where 5 Park Dräi Eechelen L-1499 Luxembourg icon_phone 26 43 35

icon_phone 72 04 57 1

icon_website www.m3e.lu

icon_website www.mullerthal.lu

icon_info E13

icon_info F7

An in situ exhibition on Luxembourg’s steel industry. icon_where Avenue du Rock’n’Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette icon_phone 26 84 01 icon_website www.fonds-belval.lu icon_info J3

Casino Luxembourg International contemporary exhibitions and installations by upcoming and renowned international and local artists.

Admission is free. icon_where 41 rue Notre-Dame L-2240 Luxembourg icon_phone 22 50 45 icon_website www.casino-luxembourg.lu icon_info F11

icon_info E13

Dräi Eechelen Museum

icon_where 9-10 parvis de la Basilique

icon_info F12

icon_where Marché-aux-Poissons

icon_info I6

icon_where 2-4 rue Beck

icon_website on Facebook

National Museum of History and Art

icon_mail touristinfo@lcto.lu

Has a limited number of Englishlanguage books.

icon_phone 28 79 60 48

L-2420 Luxembourg

MUSEUMS

Little English Bookworm

icon_phone 26 75 78 74

L-1946 Luxembourg

icon_where 18 avenue Emile Reuter

L-4002 Esch-sur-Alzette

icon_info E11

icon_info J3

Librairie Française

icon_where 12 rue Louvigny

icon_where Place de Hôtel de Ville

icon_website www.villavauban.lu

L-5405 Bech-Kleinmacher

Stocks some great Englishlanguage kids’ books, art books and fun miscellany.

Paintings from the Dutch golden age, and European historical and landscape art.

icon_info J3

icon_where 52 route du Vin

Fellner Louvigny

Villa Vauban

Located in the southwest, the iron metropolis is known for its industrial history.

icon_website www.esch.lu

icon_info F12

icon_info F12

icon_info F12

icon_website www.librairie-abc.lu

Moselle Tourist Office

icon_phone 22 00 67

icon_website www.mnhn.lu

icon_phone 53 05 82

icon_website www.ernster.com

L-1222 Luxembourg

L-2160 Luxembourg icon_phone 46 22 33 1

icon_phone 47 96 49 00

L-2418 Luxembourg icon_phone 22 50 77 28 0

icon_where 25 rue Münster

icon_phone 27 54 1

L-4130 Esch-sur-Alzette

icon_website www.alinea.lu icon_info E12

Esch-sur-Alzette Tourist Office

National Museum of Natural History

“The Bitter Years” Waassertuerm An exhibition of Great Depression photos that Luxembourg-born Edward Steichen curated for MoMA in New York. icon_where 1B rue du Centenaire L-3475 Dudelange icon_phone 52 24 24 1 icon_website www.steichencollections.lu icon_info J4

Lëtzebuerg City Museum An multimedia look back at the capital’s history. icon_where 14 rue du Saint-Esprit L-2090 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 96 45 00 icon_website www.citymuseum.lu icon_info F12

Luxembourg Science Center icon_website www.science-center.lu

Cercle Cité Hosts gala events in a magnificent ballroom, and an auditorium. icon_where Place d’Armes

National Mining Museum

icon_phone 47 96 51 33

L-2012 Luxembourg

icon_phone 56 56 88 icon_website www.mnm.lu icon_info J3

Deportation Memorial icon_where 3A rue de la Déportation L-1415 Luxembourg icon_phone 24 78 81 91 icon_website www.secondeguerremondiale.public.lu icon_info G11

National Museum of Military History icon_where 10 rue Bamertal L-9209 Diekirch icon_phone 80 89 08

Esch-sur-Sûre Castle icon_website www.nuitdeslegendes.lu

icon_website www.rotondes.lu icon_info G12

Sang & Klang

Grand Théâtre

icon_website www.bluesclub.lu

The city’s biggest theatre attracts international stars of opera, dance and theatre and produces its own creations in collaboration with other internationally acclaimed venues and companies. icon_where 1 rond-point Schuman L-2525 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 96 39 00 icon_website www.theatres.lu icon_info E11, E12

icon_info G11

Théâtre des Capucins A showcase theatre for local productions and smaller international shows.

L-2613 Luxembourg

icon_website www.steichencollections-cna.lu

icon_website www.theatres.lu

icon_info C4

icon_info G10

PERFORMANCE ART VENUES Kulturfabrik icon_website www.kulturfabrik.lu icon_info J3

Neimënster Hosts regular art exihibitions, concerts--including a jazz brunch on Sundays--theatre performance and conferences and an open-air festival in the summer. icon_where 28 rue Münster L-2160 Luxembourg icon_phone 26 20 52 1 icon_website www.neimenster.lu icon_info F12

Cube 521 L-9764 Marnach icon_website www.cube521.lu icon_info C4

Kasemattentheater

Grand-Ducal Palace

Mierscher Kulturhaus icon_where 53 rue Grande-Duchesse Charlotte

icon_website www.lcto.lu

L-7520 Mersch icon_website www.kulturhaus.lu icon_info F4

icon_info F12

Vianden Castle

De Gudde Wëllen

The most iconic of Luxembourg’s castles.

icon_website www.deguddewellen.lu

icon_website www.castle-vianden.lu

icon_info F12

Théâtre National du Luxembourg Experimental theatre, with some English-language shows.

icon_info D5

Valley of the Seven Castles icon_website www.visitluxembourg.com icon_info G3

icon_where 194 route de Longwy L-1940 Luxembourg icon_website www.tnl.lu icon_info F9

Casemates du Bock Unesco World Heritage site. icon_where Montée de Clausen, Luxembourg

Opderschmelz icon_where 1A rue du Centenaire L-3475 Dudelange icon_website www.opderschmelz.lu icon_info J4

icon_where 1-3 Driicht icon_phone 52 15 21

icon_info D3

The Palace is open to visitors from mid-July till end of August every year for guided visits.

icon_info E12

icon_where Place du Théâtre icon_phone 47 96 39 00

icon_website www.rail.lu/tramsmusee.html

icon_info C4

icon_info E12

icon_phone 92 96 57

Tram and Bus Museum

icon_website www.destination-clervaux.lu

icon_website www.rocas.lu

icon_website www.atelier.lu

L-9712 Clervaux

Clervaux Castle

icon_info E4

Rotondes

den Atelier

icon_where Château

icon_website www.cape.lu

Rocas

icon_info E5

Breathtaking exhibition of 503 photographs by 273 artists from 68 countries. Curated by Edward Steichen.

icon_info D4

L-9063 Ettelbruck

icon_website www.luxembourg-city.com icon_info E12

CLUBS & GROUPS

Rockhal icon_website www.rockhal.lu icon_info J3

Philharmonie

Science Fiction & Fantasy Society Luxembourg icon_facebook

SFFSLux

Drama mostly in German or Luxembourgish.

icon_website www.philharmonie.lu icon_info D13

icon_where 12 rue du Puits

Voices International

CASTLES

A community choir that performs a wide variety of musical styles in English and other languages.

Beaufort Castles

icon_website www.voicesinternational.lu

icon_website www.beaufortcastles.com

New World Theatre Club

L-2355 Luxembourg icon_phone 29 12 81 icon_website www.kasemattentheater.lu icon_info H12

Kinneksbond Puts on a wide variety of acclaimed performances and events. icon_where 42 route d’Arlon L-8210 Mamer icon_phone 26 39 51 00 icon_website www.kinneksbond.lu icon_info H4

icon_info F6

Bourglinster Castle Houses the Michelin-starred La Distillerie restaurant. icon_website www.bourglinster.lu icon_info G5

105

icon_website www.bourscheid.lu

icon_info E12

icon_website www.mnhm.lu

“The Family of Man”

icon_where Place Marie-Adélaïde

icon_website www.cerclecite.lu

icon_where Rue de la Bruyère L-3714 Rumelange

Bourscheid Castle

English-language theatre group. icon_website www.nwtc.lu

Leisure time

icon_info I2

Centre des Arts Pluriels Ed. Juncker

106

Actors Repertory Theatre Luxembourg An international professional theatre company. icon_website www.actorsrep.lu

Pirate Productions EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

English-speaking musical theatre group. icon_website www.pirateproductions.lu

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Promotes Irish culture. icon_website www.comhaltas.lu

Anglican Church of Luxembourg Choir

Sportunity Uses sport to boost Luxembourg youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. icon_website www.sportunity.org

Déierenasyl

L-2132 Luxembourg icon_website www.anglican.lu icon_info F11

icon_website www.rugby.lu

Caritas

Touch Rugby

icon_website www.caritas.lu

icon_website www.touch-luxembourg.lu

Unicef

Walferdange Rugby

icon_website www.unicef.lu

icon_where Rue de l’Alzette

Stop Aids

icon_website www.walferdange-rugby.lu

icon_website www.sida.lu

Digital Inclusion icon_website www.digital-inclusion.lu

icon_website www.luxmamaclub.com

icon_website www.b-l-s.lu

Irish Club of Luxembourg icon_website www.irishclub.lu

VOLUNTEERING Kanner Wonsch icon_website www.wonsch.lu

Red Cross Luxembourg The NGO has an “international section” for English-speaking volunteers, which organises fundraisings and events. icon_website www.croix-rouge.lu

L-7210 Walferdange

icon_info H4

Serve the City

Tornado Luxembourg Adult ice hockey club.

L-1899 Kockelscheuer

Golf de Luxembourg icon_where Domaine de Belenhaff L-6141 Junglinster icon_website www.golfdeluxembourg.lu icon_info G5

Lux Golf Center icon_where 18 route de Bettembourg L-1899 Kockelscheuer icon_website www.luxgolfcenter.com icon_info I4

Luxembourg Triathlon Federation Handball Federation icon_website www.flh.lu

Dudelange Steelers American football club.

Luxembourg Huskies Youth ice hockey club.

Rotaract Luxembourg

icon_website www.icehockey-huskies.lu

L-1899 Kockelscheuer

icon_where Stade JF Kennedy L-3502 Dudelange icon_website www.steelers.lu

Volleyball Federation icon_website www.flvb.lu

icon_info I4

SPORTS

Curling

There are so many sports clubs and private gyms in Luxembourg that we have chosen to list the federations for the most popular types of sport.

Luxembourg Football Federation

icon_website www.luxgaa.lu

F-57570 Basse-Rentgen icon_website www.golf-de-preisch.com

icon_info I4

icon_where 42 route de Bettembourg

Gaelic Sports Club

icon_where 1 rue du Vieux Moulin

icon_website www.tornadoluxembourg.com

icon_website www.servethecity.lu

icon_website www.rotaractluxembourg.com

Golf de Preisch

icon_website www.fltri.lu

icon_where 42 route de Bettembourg

icon_website www.blc.lu

British Luxembourg Society

icon_website www.rcl.lu icon_info H9

icon_website www.deierenasyl.lu

British Ladies Club

icon_website www.awcluxembourg.com

L-1321 Cessange

Luxembourg Rugby Federation

Luxmama Club & ParentPrep

American Women’s Club of Luxembourg

icon_where Stade Boy Konnen

The animal shelter needs volunteers to walk dogs.

icon_where 5 avenue Marie-Thérèse icon_phone 43 95 93

Rugby Club Luxembourg

Skiing Federation icon_website www.fls.lu

icon_website www.curling.lu

icon_website www.football.lu

Golf Club Grand-Ducal icon_where 1 route de Trèves L-2633 Findel icon_website www.gcgd.lu

Ice Skating Federation icon_website www.skating.lu

Lacrosse Federation icon_website www.lacrosse.lu

Basketball Federation icon_website www.flbb.lu

Cricket Federation

icon_info H5

icon_website www.luxembourgcricket.org

Golf Club Christnach

Ultimate Frisbee

icon_where Am Lahr

icon_website www.ultimatedelux.org

icon_website www.golfclubchristnach.lu

Tennis Federation

icon_info F5

icon_website www.flt.lu

Polo icon_where 64 rue des Celtes L-1318 Merl icon_website www.polo.lu icon_info H4

L-7641 Christnach

Kikuoka Country Club icon_where Scheierhaff L-5412 Canach icon_website www.kikuoka.lu icon_info H6

Table Tennis Federation icon_website www.fltt.lu

Athletics Federation icon_website www.fla.lu

108

Cycling Federation

Ciné Scala

CineWaasserhaus

Kamakura

icon_website www.fscl.lu

icon_where 46 rue de l’Industrie

icon_where Avenue des Bains

Japanese specialities in a serene setting.

L-9250 Diekirch

L-5610 Mondorf-les-Bains

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Gymnastics Federation

icon_website www.cinescala.lu

icon_website www.caramba.lu

icon_info E5

icon_info J6

icon_website www.flgym.lu

Kinepolis Belval

Ciné Kursaal

SWIMMING POOLS

icon_where 7 avenue du Rock’n’Roll

icon_where 8 rue des Martyrs

Les Thermes icon_website www.lesthermes.net icon_info H4

L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette

icon_website www.caramba.lu

icon_info J3

icon_info J3

Ciné Utopia

RESTAURANTS

Specialises in art house and independent films. icon_where 16 avenue de la Faïencerie

Coque icon_where 2 rue Léon Hengen

L-1510 Luxembourg icon_website www.kinepolis.lu icon_info D11

L-1745 Luxembourg icon_website www.coque.lu icon_info C14

Ciné Le Paris icon_where 12 rue de la Gare

Aquasud Differdange icon_where 1 rue Jeannot Kremer

L-3739 Rumelange

icon_website www.kinepolis.lu

L-3236 Bettembourg icon_website www.kinepolis.lu

differdange-luxembourg/ icon_info I2

icon_info J4

icon_website www.explorator.lu

Ciné Orion

Aal Schoul

icon_where 24 rue de la Gare

A short menu featuring local products and superb service.

L-9906 Troisvierges

Centre Aquatique Krounebierg icon_where 14 rue de la Piscine L-7572 Mersch icon_phone 32 88 23 1 icon_website www.krounebierg icon_info F4

Mondorf Domaine Thermal icon_where 36 avenue des Bains L-5610 Mondorf-les-Bains icon_website www.mondorf.lu

icon_website www.orion.lu icon_info B3

icon_where 8 rue de la Montagne L-9538 Wiltz icon_website www.prabbeli.lu icon_info D3

Ciné Starlight icon_where 1B rue du Centenaire L-3475 Dudelange icon_website www.cinestarlight.lu icon_info J4

icon_info J6

Pidal Spa Walferdange icon_where Rue des Prés L-7426 Walferdange icon_website www.pidal.lu

Ciné Sura icon_where 18 rue de la Montagne L-6486 Echternach icon_website www.cinesura.com icon_info F7

L-1661 Hobscheid icon_website www.aal-schoul.lu icon_info D11

The largest cinema complex in Luxembourg.

icon_where 1 rue des Martyrs L-8442 Steinfort icon_phone 26 30 50 87 icon_website www.apdikt.eu icon_info H3

Atelier Windsor Chef Jan Schneidewind is renowned for his innovation and use of local and season produce. icon_where Place de L'étoile, 2441 Luxembourg icon_website www.apdikt.eu icon_info E11

Kinoler

icon_where 45 avenue JF Kennedy

icon_where 38 rue Principale

L-1855 Luxembourg

L-8376 Kahler

icon_website www.kinepolis.lu

icon_website www.kinoler.lu

icon_info B16

icon_info H3

René Mathieu has won international plaudits for his use of vegetables. icon_where 8 rue du Château icon_phone 78 78 78-1 icon_website www.bourglinster.lu icon_info H5

Ma Langue Sourit The 2-star Michelin restaurant is considered as the best fine dining restaurants in Luxembourg. icon_where 1 rue de Remich L-5250 Moutfort icon_phone 26 35 20 31 icon_website www.mls.lu icon_info I5

Mao Street Food Cold buffet and sushi and an all-you-can-eat option. icon_where 261 Route d'Arlon, 8011 Strassen icon_website www.maostreetfood.lu

Mosconi

icon_where 54 route de Trèves

icon_info G7

La Distillerie

Set in a former pharmacy, the food here is seasonal and regional.

L-6793 Grevenmacher

Kinepolis Kirchberg

icon_info F12

icon_info H4

Kulturhuef Kino icon_website www.kulturhuef.lu

icon_website www.kamakura.lu

Apdikt

2 Rue de Rollingergrund,

icon_info H4

CINEMAS

icon_where 33A Grand-Rue icon_phone 32 88 23 1

Ciné Prabbeli

L-2160 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 06 04

L-6162 Bourglinster

Luxembourg has two restaurants that have 2 Michelin stars and a further eight with 1 star.

But there are dozens and dozens of fine dining restaurants worth checking out and lots of great establishments serving local and international fare. The best guide is Explorator, which belongs to the same publishing house as Delano.

L-4671 Differdange icon_website www.vert-marine.com/aquasud-

icon_where 4 rue Münster

Clairefontaine Arnaud Magnier’s inventive dishes define this 1-star establishment. icon_where 9 place de Clairefontaine L-1314 Luxembourg icon_phone 46 22 11 icon_website www.restaurantclairefontaine.lu icon_info F12

The 2-star Michelin establishment is considered one of the best Italian restaurants outside Italy. icon_where 13 rue Münster L-2160 Luxembourg icon_phone 54 69 94 icon_website www.mosconi.lu icon_info F12

Mousel’s Cantine Great for hungry diners seeking traditional Luxembourg cuisine. icon_where 46 montée de Clausen L-1343 Luxembourg icon_phone 47 01 98 icon_website www.mouselscantine.lu icon_info E13

2019 Season May-October May-September 6-7July 19 October 31 October www.fonds-belval.lu

Public guided tours Guided bike tours Blast Furnace Festival End of Season Late Night Opening End of season

110

Did you know?

Useful and random information about Luxembourg

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

Luxembourg’s

Part of the Amazon TV series

population was 47%

“Patriot”, a spy thriller,

foreigners as of

takes place in Luxembourg.

1 January 2019.

Those scenes are shot in Prague.

dates back to a tune

Source: Statec

Source: IMDB

published in 1581. It started

‘De Wilhelmus’, the royal family’s anthem,

being used to herald the arrival of royals in 1890.

Source: Information and Press Service

In 14th-century England, fake sterling coins were known as “lusshebournes” or “lushburgs”

Chiggeri, in the city centre, has the largest wine list of any restaurant in the world: 1,746 choices.

Source: Guinness Book of World Records

Luxembourger Georges Christen holds the world record for fastest 10m carrying a table with weight in the mouth (6.57 seconds) and for longest distance keeping a table lifted with his teeth (11.8m).

Source: Guinness Book of World Records

as John the Blind, count of Luxembourg, was a well-known counterfeiter.

Source: John Marshall, UK ambassador

Luxembourg residents spend an average of 25 minutes per day on shopping and personal services, such as going to the hairdresser.

Men spend 19 minutes and women 31.

Source: Eurostat

Emperor Charles IV made the county of Luxembourg a duchy in 1354; it became a grand duchy in 1815.

Source: Information and Press Service

111

Luxembourg achievements in numbers

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST & OSCAR WINNER

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa don’t live in the Grand Ducal Palace. It’s their office.

The royal family lives in Colmar-Berg.

Source: Luxembourg City Tourist Office

Josy Barthel won the 1,500m in Helsinki in 1952. Joseph Alzin won silver in weightlifting at the 1920 games and naturalised Austrian skier Marc Girardelli won 2 silvers at the 1992 winter games. Laurent Witz and Alexandre Espigares won Luxembourg’s sole Oscar statuette in 2014 for animated short film “Mr Hublot”.

2 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS Bonnevoie-born Gabriel Lippmann won the physics prize in 1908 for his method for reproducing colours by photography. Jules A. Hoffmann was awarded a share, with American Bruce Beutler, of the physiology or medicine prize in 2011 for their discoveries “concerning the activation of innate immunity”.

Victor Hugo led the

There were 208 Luxembourg-

firefighters who battled

flagged merchant ships,

3

a blaze that burned

representing a total

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENTS

10 houses in Vianden

of 1,407,240 gross tonnes,

Gaston Thorn (1981-1985), Jacques Santer (1995-1999)

the night of 14 July 1871.

as of September 2018.

and Jean-Claude Juncker, who has occupied the post

Source: Vianden Tourist

Source: Luxembourg Maritime

Office

Administration

0

The record low temperature in April was -6.9°C (in 1986) and in May was -2.1°C (in 1957).

Source: Meteolux

since November 2014, have all held the top EU job.

Juncker’s mandate ends in November 2019.

4

TOUR DE FRANCE CHAMPIONS The iconic cycle race has been won five times by Luxembourgers--François Faber in 1909, Nicolas Frantz in 1927 & 1928, Charly Gaul in 1958 and Andy Schleck (after Alberto Contador was stripped of the title) in 2010.

5

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WINS Jean-Claude Pascal in 1961, France Gall in 1965, Vicky Leandros in 1972, Anne-Marie David in 1973 and Corinne Hermès in 1983 all won the most votes in the contest. This puts the grand duchy on par with France, the Netherlands and the UK and behind only Ireland (with 7 wins) and Sweden (with 6 wins) in the overall table. However, Luxembourg has not competed since 1993.

Facts and figures

1

Index

112

1 1535° Creative Hub

F 72

EXPAT GUIDE 2019-20

A A Possen museum

56

L

Fondation Kannerschlass

58

Les Thermes

Foostix

36

Liquid

Foundry

74

LL5

24

Sandweiler

Luxcaddy

36

Sang & Klang

Luxembourg City

20

Sante.lu

G

Ara City Radio

34

Asti

22

GoldenMe

84

100

Viki Gomez

5

den Atelier Automobile Club Luxembourg (ACL)

Cindy Gouden

50

Grand Funk Audio

96

Athome.lu

82

Sabina Guerrero

68

Auchan Drive

36

Guichet

22

Avocado

36

AXA Joker

24, 40

100

B

H Marcel Hagendoorn

97

Happ

36

Will Bakker

16

Hesperange

20

Bamhaus

74

Johannes Heuschkel

84

The Base

98

Hypnobalance

50

Bertrange

20

Café des Langues

ING 40

Institut National des Langues

56 100

52

SNCA

22

et des Domaines)

20

SNCT

22

Luxembourg Science Center

56

Spielplatz

58

Spot

M Andrew Martin

96

Max & Moritz

98

Mengloft

58

Mon Sac Bleu

24

Night Rider

22

O

Cinémathèque

102

OLAI

Jobtailors

68

Jumpbox trampoline park

56

et d’Intégration (CAI)

24

Craft Corner

98

Crossfire

98

Curago

58

Kanner Wonsch

97

Cycle Luxembourg

40

Jim Kent

35

Mara Kroth

84

De Gudde Wëllen Doctena

100

Opderschmelz

56

T The Tube

56 100 98

Oscar’s

98

72

VOD.lu

38 40, 102 101

W

Oscar’s Diner 98

Wendy Winn

32

Ouni 38

Webfood

36

Webtaxi

100

Wishbox

74

K

100

Ville de Luxembourg

24 100

P Paladium

74

Paname

98

Pavillon

54

Vanessa Phelan Philharmonie

34 100

24

R

E

18

Syrdall

Valorlux

74

Kulturfabrik

54

Mikkel Strørup

V 102

J

Kumiyo

20

100

98

D

48, 98

Strogoff

Troubadour 12

101

Strassen

Tramsmusée

N

The Office

Contrat d’Acceuil

24

Jeannine Schumann

Octans

100

20 100

(Administration de l’Enregistrement

54

CFL

68

and Estates Department

Chalet am Brill

58

82

Sacred Heart University

Samsa Film

Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS) 38

Cityapp

Soufiane Saadi

Luxembourg Land Registration

Doline Ndorimana

I

C

S

Antoine Rech

70

Eirelux

54

Refill

58

Eltere Café

58

Robin du Lac

54

Eltere Schoul

58

Rocas

98

Ënnert de Steiler

98

Rockhal

100

Rotondes

100

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INTERVIEWS

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Be sure not to miss it!

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ORGANISED BY

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Luxembourg City offers a fascinating combination of history, culture, art, parks and green spaces. Find out the 10 must-see spots of a city that provides a real blend of ancient and modern architecture with plenty of multicultural restaurants to savour both local and international food. sponsored content

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EXPAT GUIDE 2019-2020

10 things to do in Luxembourg

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History

Food & Drinks

Sport

The Old Town of Luxembourg

Restaurant Amélys

The old historic town of Luxembourg is recommended for its views of the old city, and the former fortress of the old city of Luxembourg.

The cathedral Notre Dame was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits. Worth visiting for the baroque-inspired north gate, beautiful stained glass windows from the 19th and 20th centuries. The crypt hosts the remains of John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg.

From a great buffet breakfast to a romantic dinner or a business lunch, the Amélys restaurant team offers you a warm and attentive welcome, every day until 11 p.m.! This French brasserie proposes a cuisine to be enjoyed in a contemporary setting or, depending on the weather, on the sunny terrace.

One of the most beautiful in Luxembourg City! Don’t miss the Sunday buffet. Booking is highly recommended!

Centre National Sportif et Culturel d’Coque

1

3

12 boulevard Royal L-2449 Luxembourg 24 16 16 737

Art

Casino Luxembourg

↳

6

The Coque is one of the country’s leading sports facilities.

The Aquatic Centre offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, a diving platform, as well as a beginners’ pool, amongst others. The Coque also provides many sports classes, two fitness rooms, a wellness centre with a snow cabin, five saunas and an outdoor pool as well as a climbing wall with more than 150 routes.

Furthermore, the Coque hosts two restaurants. Enjoy!

www.amelys.lu

2 rue Léon Hengen

2

Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain, the flagship contemporary art institution in Luxembourg, holds art exhibitions with an international programme of mainly youngergeneration artists. The art centre also houses, next to a library and its reading room, a bookshop, a “BlackBox” projection space devoted to artists’ videos, an area dedicated to virtual reality projects, and a café-restaurant, the ca(fé)sino.

Mo, We, Fr, Sa, Su: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

L-1745 Luxembourg Exploration

4

Discover the most beautiful panoramic views in Luxembourg City with the Luxembourg City Tourist Office. Enjoy the stunning views from the Corniche known as “the most beautiful balcony in Europe” and take a ride in the panoramic glass lift with its sweeping views of the Pfaffenthal district.

Whether you prefer exploring on your own or with a guide upon request, this 2-hour tour will take you to the capital’s best viewpoints.

Thu: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

30 place Guillaume II

Closed on Tuesdays

L-1648 Luxembourg

and on 01/01, 01/11, 25/12 41 rue Notre-Dame L-2240 Luxembourg 7 boulevard F. D. Roosevelt L-2450 Luxembourg 22 50 45

22 28 09-79 (Guided Tours) ↳

www.casino-luxembourg.lu

In search of more things to do in Luxembourg?

Sign up for Delano's newsletter on: ↳

www.delano.lu

guides@lcto.lu

5

Bibliothèque nationale de Luxembourg 7

The Bibliothèque nationale de Luxembourg or Luxembourg National Library is currently moving to its new building in Kirchberg and will open its doors on September 30th.

The library collects all works published in Luxembourg as well as international publications from all fields of knowledge. It has over 1.8 million documents and offers free access to an ever-growing number of digital resources.

↳

Registration and access during

Philharmonie

The Philharmonie is as a much-loved European concert hall. Its programming ranges from early music to remarkable premieres and from stars of jazz, world-music revelations, and DJ legends to traditional brass ensembles and young Luxembourg musicians and bands. Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg gives many of the 90 concerts it has lined up.

The world’s most celebrated orchestras, conductors, soloists, etc. are regular guests.

www.coque.lu

Culture

Music

info@casino-luxembourg.lu ↳

Top city views

43 60 60 222 ↳

the moving process: Tu–Fr, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Opening hours will be extended in the new library.

37 boulevard F.D. Roosevelt L-2450 Luxembourg 22 97 55-1 info@bnl.etat.lu ↳

bnl.public.lu

History

8

Bock Casemates

With more than 130,000 visitors per year, the Bock Casemates are among Luxembourg’s most popular tourist attractions.

Inscribed on the Unesco's World Heritage List since 1994, this immense underground military defence system dates back to the 17th century. Explore these underground galleries at your own pace or with a guide and descend into the capital’s rich history.

Montée de Clausen L-1343 Luxembourg 22 28 09 ↳

touristinfo@lcto.lu

Culture

neimënster Neumünster Abbey 9

Located in the heart of the city and part of Unesco’s World Heritage List, the Abbey has witnessed 400 tumultuous years--as military bastion, orphanage and prison--but is since 2004 home to vibrant culture and artistic expression.

The most beautiful place in town is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission to all exhibitions and offers 200+ events each year, from concerts and kids’ programme to conferences and festivals.

28 rue Münster L-2160 Luxembourg 26 20 52 1 ↳

www.neimenster.lu

History

Lëtzebuerg City Museum 10

The capital’s history, dating back over a thousand years, comes to life at the Lëtzebuerg City Museum. The museum has several interactive displays, multimedia animations and a brand-new instructive and fun mobile app: Lëtzebuerg City Museum. The museum is a wonder in itself, with its spectacular architecture, panoramic lift and location on the Corniche in the heart of the city’s Old Town.

Tu-Su, 08:00-18:00, open until 8 p.m.

1 place de l’Europe

on Thursdays closed on Mondays

L-1499 Luxembourg

14 rue du Saint-Esprit

26 32 26 32

L-1475 Luxembourg +352 47 96 45 00

www.philharmonie.lu ↳

citymuseum.lu

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