Luxembourg
Several of the stronger sectors in Luxembourg continue to have a number of employment opportunities, in spite of the recent recession. For foreign workers, the greatest employment opportunities lie in the jobs held by cross-border and foreign residents. These jobs are to be found mainly in the industry and services sectors, such as construction, transport and hotel industries and the business services sector. The country is well placed for economic recovery, having a small and stable economy with a high GDP per capita. Even the financial sector still has some openings and new jobs continue to arise where natural retirement occurs.
It is possible to apply for jobs before going to Luxembourg if this is necessary or more convenient, or you can apply when you are in the country.
Job applicants can respond directly to advertisements using a CV or other method of application, as in the UK. It is common to make speculative applications.
There are numerous recruitment agencies, including many within Luxembourg, which can assist with the process of applying for jobs.
Some applications, especially for larger organisations, have to be completed online.
A CV submitted for an advertised position should be written in the language of the advertisement. French is commonly used, but employers may ask you to write in another language.
The format of the CV may vary according to the language used - see the France and Germany country profiles for advice on CVs in French and German.
There are no strict rules regarding the layout, but as elsewhere in Europe, CVs are considered a marketing tool and should be accurate and succinct. They should also be tailored to the job in question with the aim of persuading the employer to invite you for interview.
It is customary to send copies of diplomas and certificates with applications, but this may not always be required. Check before sending in your application.
Recruitment interviews in Luxembourg generally follow a format similar to that used in the UK.
Good preparation, suitable, business-like appearance and punctual (slightly early) arrival are all essential.
The questions asked may be directed to find out about your motivation, skills, experience and education.
Always have some questions ready to ask the interviewers.
If you wish to compare your professional, vocational or technical qualifications with Luxembourg qualifications, consult the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .
Contact the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) or visit ENIC-NARIC for information on comparability of your academic qualifications.
You can also get information from the UK National Europass Centre (UK NEC) about how to make your skills and qualifications easily understood in Luxembourg.
If you are planning to live and work in Luxembourg, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with UK National Europass Centre (UK NEC) to ensure that you are aware of the rules and are not losing any UK pension rights.
Job vacancies are easy to find through a range of media including newspapers, the internet, public agencies and recruitment agencies.
Use the Anglo Info website to find details of recruitment agencies operating in Luxembourg.
Be extremely wary of recruiters who demand a fee up front from the job applicant or expect you to reimburse them for postage or telephone costs.
The Ministère du Travail et de l'Emploi (Ministry of Employment) Luxembourg handles vacancies in Luxembourg. Find out more about public employment services in help and advice abroad.
As Luxembourg is a small country, a lot of recruitment takes place through informal contacts, so networking can be beneficial.
Go to job market for details of lists of companies for speculative applications.
Volunteering opportunities exist in Luxembourg, in some cases working for large international organisations concerned with issues such as the environment or human rights. Graduate standards of education may be required for some roles.
The range of employing organisations in Luxembourg means that gap year opportunities can be found. Well-planned speculative approaches to employers can be used to locate jobs, although recruitment agencies may also advertise jobs. See gap year for more general advice and links to gap year providers.
There is only one university in Luxembourg, the University of Luxembourg , founded in 2003. Courses are usually held in two languages: French/English, French/German, or English/German. The institution offers teaching, research and knowledge transfer at Bachelor’s, Masters and PhD level, with a particular focus on its teaching of Masters and PhDs.
Courses generally last for between one and four academic years, as in the UK, depending on the programme. Some courses are available on a part-time basis and so will take longer to complete.
A wide choice of postgraduate degrees is available:
You would generally need to hold a relevant Bachelors degree or a similar, perhaps professional, qualification to be able to enrol on a postgraduate programme of study or research.
Application dates vary between institutions. Some programmes start in September and others in February. Check with individual institutions and observe the closing dates.
Applications are made by contacting institutions direct. A range of documentation may be required when you apply. This varies between institutions and may include:
There are specific enrolment procedures for Masters and Doctoral students.
A student advice service within institutions can assist with information on application procedures.
A small number of scholarships and other forms of financial help are available. Eligibility criteria apply and details will usually be available on institution websites.
UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Luxembourg through the Erasmus programme. This programme is open to many subject fields, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.
Luxembourg is a member of ENIC-NARIC , an international network of centres that aims to improve academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in European Union (EU) member states, EEA countries and associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
The website includes information on current issues in international academic and professional mobility, and procedures for the recognition of UK (and other European) qualifications.
Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the European Union (EU) together with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, are generally free to live and work in Luxembourg. If you are a citizen of one of the countries that have recently joined the EU, contact the Luxembourg Embassy in the country where you are, as special regulations may apply.
If you intend to stay in Luxembourg for a lengthy period, it is important to apply for a residence permit. This can be obtained on arrival by going to the local town hall and signing a declaration of arrival. You will be issued with a permit which will enable you to work in Luxembourg.
Special arrangements exist for students wanting to undertake short-term employment.
Information about work and residence permits is available from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg - visas website.
More information may also be available from the Ministère des Affaires Etrangères (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg)
EU nationals do not usually need a visa for Luxembourg. If you are unsure, contact the Luxembourg Embassy in the country where you are for visa information.
If you are from a non-EU country, check with your nearest Luxembourg Embassy about visa regulations and rules working or studying in Luxembourg. A list of Embassy contact details is available at Embassies Worldwide .
You may also wish to get advice from your own ministry of foreign affairs about any issues you should take into account if you are considering visiting or working in Luxembourg. If you are not in your home country, contact your own Embassy in the country where you are.
Enquiries should be made well in advance of travelling, as some processes may take a while.
Information about permanent residency in Luxembourg can be obtained from the Ministère des Affaires Etrangères (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg) .
The main placement service is the Administration de l'Emploi , which handles vacancies for the whole employment market. You can use the placement service free of charge but you will generally need to attend in person. It also offers a guidance service (Service d'Orientation Professionelle) to advise young people and adults on career choice, job hunting, applications and interviews.
You can get contact details for European Employment Service advisers in Luxembourg from EURES - European Job Mobility Portal . EURES advisers are trained specialists who provide information and guidance to job seekers interested in working in Luxembourg.
Most educational institutions provide some careers and educational guidance. Information on part-time work for students and student mobility is available under the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) .
Careers guidance can formally be sought from the Ministère du Travail et de l'Emploi (Ministry of Employment) Luxembourg .
In emergency situations, UK citizens can often get help from the British Embassy Luxembourg . See the website for details of the types of support available.
Emergency phone numbers:
Find the latest travel advice and a checklist for travellers on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) .
Ensure you have appropriate travel and medical insurance in place before travelling.
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