Upon arriving in Luxembourg, it may seem like there are a myriad of things to consider, and the menacing image of red tape can stop some in their tracks. Getting the ball rolling with a few easy tasks, like registering at your local commune, is a good way to feel you’re progressing. And, indeed, when it comes to settling in, small steps can be taken almost every day--with, perhaps, the exception of Sunday, when many facilities are closed.
The challenge of having to get your foot in the door to your new life in Luxembourg is also the novelty of the whole experience. Luckily, you’ll find a whole lot of people who are as uninitiated as you are. Government statistics from January 2022 indicate that 47.1% of the population is made up of foreigners, comprised of 170 nationalities. So be prepared to get asked at almost every social gathering where you’re from. But, most importantly, you have something in common with almost every one in two people: you’re not from here. That’s already a good start. And with Luxembourg being a small country, word-of-mouth certainly plays a big role in getting more integrated, both personally and professionally.
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Instilling some curiosity in the way you navigate through life in the grand duchy from the get-go is a good way to learn about the Luxembourg way of life. Despite its small size, the country is exceptionally car-centric. Luxembourg has the highest number of registered cars per capita in the EU, with 663 per 1,000 inhabitants, according to Eurostat. But you’ll hear them a lot less, with electric vehicles on the rise and with many getting on board the common effort of transitioning to a greener economy.
Luxembourg is well known for its high wages, but real estate prices can be a bit of a surprise for those who come unprepared. Finding accommodation close to the office goes a long way in finding a good work-life balance, but it definitely comes at a cost. Locking in your housing contract is--if done right--a long-term decision which can set you on the right track. And, in this case, the key is figuring out what your particular situation necessitates and getting as much information about what’s available.
While in real estate, it’s all about the location, the key word when it comes to settling in is information. In Luxembourg, there’s lots of it not only online, but also through word-of-mouth anecdotes and of course in Delano’s .