Luxembourg travel guide

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Luxembourg set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Luxembourg in London.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Luxembourg.

Passport validity requirements

To travel to Luxembourg, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.

To enter Luxembourg (and all Schengen countries) your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive. Passports issued after 1 October 2018 are now valid for only 10 years, but for passports issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added if you renewed a passport early
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

If you’re a visitor, your passport must be stamped when you enter or leave the Schengen area (which includes Luxembourg). Border guards will use passport stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for stays in the Schengen area. If your passport was not stamped, border guards will presume you have overstayed the visa-free limit.

If your passport was not stamped, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

Read about passport stamping if you live in Luxembourg.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area (including Luxembourg)  for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends

• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events

• for short-term studies or training

If you’re travelling to Luxembourg and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Luxembourg government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Embassy of Luxembourg in London.

If you stay in Luxembourg with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Applying for a visa

Check with the Embassy of Luxembourg in London what type of visa or work permit you may need.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Luxembourg guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Luxembourg. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

Taking money into Luxembourg

If you bring more than 10,000 euros in cash (even in transit) into Luxembourg, you must complete a cash declaration form. You must declare this to the Customs and Excise Agency (Administration des douanes et accises – ADA).

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

Terrorism in Luxembourg

Terrorist attacks in Luxembourg cannot be ruled out.

Crime

Violent crime is not common in Luxembourg cities. However, robberies with violence occur.

Report any thefts in person to the nearest police station within 24 hours and get a police report crime number.

Protecting your belongings

Pickpockets operate on buses and in train stations, particularly in the main train station of Luxembourg Gare. Hotel lobbies in the Findel area are reported to be hotspots for thefts and pickpocketing.

Scams

Foreign visitors and residents can be targeted by scam artists. Be cautious and make sure you have all the information you need before providing any personal or bank details.

Laws and cultural differences

Alcohol laws

The minimum legal drinking age is 16, but being drunk and disorderly in public is a criminal offence that can result in arrest for a night and a heavy fine.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Luxembourg, see information on driving abroad and read the RAC Luxembourg guide.

You may be fined if you cannot produce the following documents if they are requested:

• driving licence
• vehicle registration document
• car insurance certificate
• road tax
• MOT certificate

Carry a passport, because it’s easy to cross into neighbouring countries without realising it. Beware that road traffic laws are strict and you can be fined for minor traffic infringements.

The minimum age for driving a car is 18.

You can use your UK licence for a period of one year before having to exchange it for a Luxembourgish licence.

Drink-drive laws are strictly enforced. You can be arrested for having a blood alcohol content of 0.5% or above.

Winter tyres

It is compulsory for all motor vehicles driving on public roads in winter conditions (black ice, packed snow, slush, ice sheets or frost) to have regulation winter tyres (winter tyres or all-weather tyres marked “M.S.”, “M+S”, “M&S” or the alpine symbol) mounted on all wheels of the vehicle.

This regulation applies to all drivers, regardless of the country of registration of the vehicle. You will be fined if you do not have the correct tyres. However, this does not apply to vehicles parked on public roads. For more information see Luxembourg government advice on winter driving.

Taxis

It is safer to use official taxis at clearly marked taxi stands. A price list is displayed on official taxis. Check the rate per kilometre before getting into the taxi. Beware that some taxis may charge highly inflated prices. Taxi drivers are allowed to charge extra in the evenings and on Sunday.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you ask for a SAMU (Service d’Aide Medicale Urgente) the ambulance will come together with a doctor.

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

For more information read guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Luxembourg guide

• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad.

Healthcare facilities in Luxembourg

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Luxembourg.

COVID-19 healthcare in Luxembourg

See Luxembourg government information about COVID-19.

Health insurance cards

Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it will still be valid as long as it remains in date.

The GHIC or EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Luxembourg’s nationals. If you do not have your card with you or you’ve lost it, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team.

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. A GHIC or EHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.

GHIC and EHIC cover state healthcare only, not private treatment. You will be responsible for the cost of any treatment provided by a private doctor or private clinic.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Luxembourg

Ambulance: 112

Fire: 112

Police: 113

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Luxembourg
• dealing with a death in Luxembourg
• being arrested in Luxembourg
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime

• what to do if you’re in hospital

• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are in Luxembourg and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy, Luxembourg.

You can also contact FCDO online.

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges.

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.