Are you coming to Luxembourg with children? Then you’re probably wondering about schools.
The traditional Luxembourg system bases literacy on German, so choosing an international school can be an alternative if Luxembourgish or German are not spoken at home. (Many such families do send their kids to these schools, however, as they generally offer the best chances for cultural integration.)
Six international public schools operate according to the curricula, promotion criteria and timetables of the European Schools system. They are open to all students with no registration fees and variously offer French-, English-, and German-speaking sections. These are the International School of Differdange (EIDE), the International School in Junglinster (Lënster Lycée International School), the Edward Steichen-Clervaux International School, the International School in Mondorf-les-Bains, the Mersch Anne Beffort International School (EIMAB) and Gaston Thorn International School in Luxembourg City (EIGT). The Lycée Michel Lucius, part of the Luxembourg state school system, also offers an English language stream.
At the private, fee-paying level, the Notre-Dame (Sainte-Sophie) private school offers classes that follow the same curriculum as Luxembourg’s public schools, as well as classes that follow the official French curriculum. The following private primary schools apply a curriculum other than the official one, while receiving state subsidies: École Charlemagne, École et Lycée Français Vauban, École Française de Luxembourg, École Maria Montessori, Fräi-ëffentlech Waldorfschoul Lëtzebuerg, International School of Luxembourg, Over The Rainbow International School, St. George’s International School Luxembourg, École Montessori Schule and Scuola Materna Cattolica Internazionale (Italian, English, French).
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In addition to these schools, there are two European schools in Luxembourg: the European School Luxembourg I in Kirchberg and the European School Luxembourg II in Mamer, both of which are accessible free of charge to the children of European civil servants.
Private school fees in Luxembourg can range from approximately €5,000 to €25,000 per year, depending on the school and the level of education.
The particularities of the school system
Perhaps more than in other countries, Luxembourg’s education system is unique and deserves further attention.
1. Schooling is compulsory in Luxembourg from ages 4-16. It consists of a minimum of 12 years divided between primary and secondary education. Starting in the 2026/2027 academic year, school will be compulsory until the age of 18.
2. Public schooling is free from primary to secondary. Since September 2022, admission to public non-formal education facilities (e.g. afterschool care or maisons-relais) and canteen meals are also free for children in primary school.
3. Among students, the language of communication is Luxembourgish, though activities are sometimes organised in French in primary school. In cycles 2 to 4 (children aged 6 to 11), literacy is taught in German, which is then the language of instruction for all subjects. Afterwards, in secondary school, French is used instead for instruction, to degrees that vary according to school type.
4. There are two types of secondary education (ages 11 and up): classical education, which lasts seven years and primarily prepares students for university studies; and general education, which includes various training programs lasting six to eight years, including vocational training.
5. According to the latest figures from the ministry of national education, 44.7% of primary school students are foreign nationals, representing 139 nationalities, while 46% of students in general secondary education are foreign students.
Where to get textbooks
For many students, a Luxembourgish term comes up every year: Schoulbicher, or school books. Since the start of the 2018/2019 school year, compulsory school textbooks have been free for secondary and vocational students. To get them, head to bookstores such as:
—Diderich bookstore in Esch-sur-Alzette
—Zimmer bookstore in Diekirch
—Samkats in Echternach
—Christina’s Bicherbuttik in Wiltz
—Um Fieldgen bookstore in Luxembourg City
—Biba bookstore in Marnach
The best platforms for academic support
Literature, maths, physics, history, languages… is your child experiencing difficulties in any of these subjects? Do they get bored after school? Here are some websites and ideas that might help you.
1. Coursathome.lu: With over 130 qualified teachers, Cours at Home has been the leading tutoring service in Luxembourg for more than 10 years. From primary to secondary education, and offering private lessons at home or online, Cours at Home uses its own methodology and innovative tools to help children study in the best conditions.
2. Abacus-nachhilfe.lu: Abacus aims not only to help children improve their grades but also their learning methods. This site also offers courses for people with learning difficulties, ADHD, SLD and dyscalculia, with tailored support. Lessons can be held remotely or in person.
3. Intellego.lu: Intellego is a website offering tutoring throughout Luxembourg in all subjects. It connects you with students or graduates. Its particularity? No online lessons: the tutor comes directly to your home, and travel expenses are included in the hourly rate. For high school students, it is also possible to benefit from online tutoring with other more experienced students.
These platforms mainly focus on Luxembourg, but you can always use major tutoring platforms like Superprof or Apprentus, which also offer both online and face-to-face lessons.
Afterschool programmes
To promote your child’s development and integration, there are plenty of extracurricular activities on offer. With 77 federations and 1,300 sports clubs, Luxembourg is a country where you can find the right sport for your child. Also abundant are music, dance and theatre programmes.
This article was written for the August/September 2025 issue of Paperjam magazine (Expat Guide), published on 10 July. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the site to contribute to the full Paperjam archive. Click this link to subscribe to the magazine.
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