Daily Life

Luxembourg's food scene is far richer than its small size suggests. The country has 12 Michelin-starred restaurants — the highest density per capita in Europe. Portuguese cuisine is a cornerstone of daily life, reflecting the large Portuguese community. Traditional Luxembourgish dishes (Judd mat Gaardebounen, Bouneschlupp, Gromperekichelcher) are hearty Central European fare, and the Moselle wine valley produces excellent Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Crémant sparkling wine. The restaurant scene in Luxembourg City spans global cuisines, and weekend visits to markets and wine cellars in the Moselle are a favourite expat pastime.

Luxembourg's social landscape is shaped by its extraordinarily international population. With 170+ nationalities in a country the size of a small county, social circles often form along national or professional lines. The financial sector community, the EU institutional circle, and national communities (Portuguese, French, Italian) each have their own social rhythms. Integration into 'Luxembourgish Luxembourg' takes time and ideally involves learning Luxembourgish, but the country's inherent internationalism means that finding your community is easier than in many larger countries.

Luxembourg's free public transport system is the country's most celebrated feature. Since March 2020, all buses, trams, and trains are free for everyone — residents and visitors. The CFL train network connects all major towns, the Luxtram serves Luxembourg City, and RGTR buses cover even the smallest villages. However, car ownership remains high due to cross-border commuting and rural areas where bus frequency is limited.

Luxembourg's compact size belies its natural diversity. The Mullerthal region ('Luxembourg's Little Switzerland') offers dramatic sandstone formations and forest trails. The Éislek (Ardennes) in the north provides rugged hiking and castle-dotted landscapes. The Moselle valley in the east is wine country with cycling paths along the river. With over 5,000 km of marked hiking trails, Luxembourg is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts — and you are never more than 30 minutes from a different landscape.

Luxembourg's expat community is among Europe's most established — nearly half the population is foreign-born, and the infrastructure for international arrivals reflects this. English-language media, multilingual government services, and a dense network of expat organisations ensure that settling in is smoother than in most European countries. The small size of the country means the expat community is interconnected — you will quickly recognise faces and build a network.