The “Polindex 2025 Note Foreign Residents” study, written by Agnès Darabos, doctor of Law, and 
What emerges from this comparison? That these two components of society share what we might call an economic “community of destiny.” Politically, however, this link is somewhat weakened. For all that, despite a distant link with the national political system, and the importance of materialistic and linguistic factors in shaping their opinions, the report highlights a strong desire for integration and democratic participation among foreigners.
Economic community of destiny
Luxembourg citizens and foreign residents express similar levels of satisfaction with their lives and identify wellbeing as the dominant feeling. Foreign residents are clearly more optimistic than Luxembourg citizens, with 29% saying they are confident and 13% enthusiastic. They feel that their standard of living has improved (24%, or 9 points more than Luxembourgers) and enjoy a great deal of freedom of choice in their lives (65% feel they have complete control over their future).
Foreign residents are more materialistic. Their priorities are to ensure economic growth, maintain order, combat rising prices and reduce social inequalities. They are less sensitive to post-materialistic values (protection of the environment, freedom of expression) than Luxembourgers, an orientation, Poirier says, explained by “their migratory trajectory and the objective of improving their quality of life and the economic future of their children.” Like Luxembourg citizens, they are concerned about the current economic situation in Luxembourg, with 51% believing that it has worsened compared to the previous year. The majority fear that their children’s standard of living will be lower than their own (41%).
Political distancing
Only 53% of foreign residents say they are interested in politics, compared with 73% of Luxembourgers. This interest is correlated with income: the higher the income, the greater the interest. Foreign residents are generally more right-wing (average of 5.5 on a scale of 1 to 10) than Luxembourgers (5.1). They also have a less polarised view of political life. They place the ADR less on the extreme right than nationals, perceive the CSV more on the centre-right, or even the right, and the DP less on the centre-left, but more on the right.
Newspaper articles and weeklies are the main source of political information for 46% of foreign residents, a proportion similar to that of Luxembourgers. French is the preferred language (64%) for finding out about politics, while Luxembourgers prefer Luxembourgish (45%).
Housing and pensions, crucial issues
When it comes to political priorities, housing is identified as the most urgent challenge for 70% of foreign residents, following the example of Luxembourgers. However, distinctions emerge: health, social security and care for the elderly are of less concern to foreigners (25%) than to Luxembourgers (49%). The environment and climate change are also of less concern to foreign residents (27%) than to Luxembourgers (38%).
On the issue of pensions, the two groups agree on one point: reducing the current level of pension payments to guarantee the sustainability of the system is unacceptable. This consensus may explain why this subject has not been at the heart of discussions--or disagreements. Opinions were more divided, however, on the question of developing funded schemes, with 52% of foreigners in favour compared to 44% of nationals; raising the retirement age by two years, with 42% compared to 39%; and using immigration to finance the system, with 37% compared to 26%.
On citizenship
For foreign residents, citizenship is strongly associated with civic duty: 89% believe that being a Luxembourg citizen means respecting the law and institutions. Some 66% associate it with the ability to speak Luxembourgish. Foreign residents show a strong desire for political integration and participation, but their more right-wing ideological self-positioning makes them cautious about dissociating political rights from not holding Luxembourg citizenship. They would prefer common European citizenship to be the route to full exercise of all political rights in Luxembourg. Only 31% of foreign residents were in favour of extending their political rights. However, 69% want EU nationals to be able to vote in parliamentary elections after five years of residence.
Foreign residents show a greater desire for civic participation (47%) and want more referendums on important decisions (44%), a lower proportion than Luxembourgers (54%).
On the question of the perception of politicians, a marked feeling of disconnection prevails. Some 71% of foreign residents believe that political decision-makers do not care what people think. They reject the idea of a charismatic leader (56%) and prefer decisions to be taken by experts (53%). Foreign residents, like Luxembourgers, place particular trust in the institutions linked to social security (National Health Fund) and the judicial authorities. The Court of Justice of the European Union is also well regarded.
Methodology
The study, carried out with the support of the Chamber of Deputies by the Parliamentary Studies Research Chair at the University of Luxembourg in collaboration with ILRES SA, is based on an annual survey conducted between 21 May and 3 June 2025 among 1,637 residents, including 529 of foreign nationality not entitled to vote.
This article was originally published in French.
