Each family member should receive a social security card, which also serves as a health card, with a 13-digit number on it. Here’s what you need to do to get a medical consultation.
Finding a doctor or dentist
You can find doctors, dentists and pediatricians on doctena.lu, searchable by location, language and specialty, with online booking available. Collegemedical.lu lists registered healthcare professionals in Luxembourg. While some specialists can be consulted directly, a referral from a general practitioner may be required in certain cases.
Appointment
Appointments can be set online or by calling the clinics directly. Bring your social security card, also called a CNS (National Health Fund) card, for identification. If you have private health insurance, bring your policy document. During the first consultation, you may need to fill out a form with your health information and medications. You usually pay the doctor before leaving.
Reimbursement
While some doctors started settling part of their consultation fees with CNS directly, most still require full payment upfront. Since 1 March 2024, a GP’s consultation will cost €62.10. Keep the original invoices and send them via regular mail to CNS National Reimbursement Service, L-2980, for reimbursement (you don’t need a stamp). For the first claim, include a bank identification slip or RIB. Typically, patients contribute 12% of the standard rates.
Medication
After receiving a medical prescription, you can obtain medication from any of the 100+ pharmacies in Luxembourg. Find the nearest one at pharmacie.lu. Present your CNS card to pay only the portion of the cost not covered by the CNS. Note that not all medications are subsidised or reimbursed.
Hospitals
In an emergency, Luxembourg has 12 hospitals, although all do not share same specialties. So, call or check online to see if they can handle your specific situation. Outpatient and inpatient treatments in standard rooms are fully covered, but private rooms are not. For children under 14, CNS covers a bed for an accompanying person. Adults 18 and older must pay €25.50 per day of hospitalisation, up to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year.
Work incapacity
If you’re unable to go to work or school but don’t require hospitalisation, your doctor can issue an ‘incapacity to work’ certificate. Request this document during your medical consultation. It’s mandatory to submit this certificate to your employer or school if your incapacity lasts longer than two consecutive days.
Good to know
If your total personal health costs exceed 2.5% of your gross income from the previous year, upon request, CNS will reimburse the amount above this threshold.
This article first appeared in the 2024-2025 Paperjam Expat Guide.
