Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

The crime rate is low in Luxembourg.

However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs :

• on public transportation
• around train stations
• at the airport
• at youth hostels
• at hotel lobbies in the city of Luxembourg

Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Carjacking incidents occur throughout the country. Ensure that valuables in vehicles are kept out of sight. Drive with the windows closed and car doors locked.

Thieves will sometimes pose as undercover police officers and demand an on-the-spot fine for minor offences (littering, for example). Be cautious of these imposters; a legitimate officer will never ask for cash payment for a fine.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. There is a potential for other violent incidents.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Road safety

Traffic congestion in urban areas can be a problem.

If your vehicle has been hit and you feel your personal safety is at risk, do not leave your vehicle. Call the police or drive immediately to the nearest police station.

Public transportation

Public transportation is fast and reliable in Luxembourg.

Public transportation tickets must be purchased in advance and must be validated by machines located either on board the bus or on the boarding platform. Failure to validate tickets may result in on-the-spot fines requiring immediate payment.

Taxis

Opt for officially marked taxis.

Taxi fares are no longer regulated in Luxembourg. Each taxi is free to apply its own rates. However, they are required to clearly display the fares.

Ask the driver for a detailed list of tariffs.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from Luxembourg authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Schengen area

Luxembourg is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

Useful links

• Schengen area
• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days*
Business visa: not required for stays up 90 days*
Student visa: required

* The 90-day period begins upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country within any 180-day period.

Stays of more than 90 days require a residence permit, which must be obtained prior to arriving in Luxembourg.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket, a proof of accommodations or proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay. 

Registration

You must register your arrival with the local municipality. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel.

If you are not staying in a hotel, registration must be organized by your host. Failure to register can result in fines and difficulties when departing.

Children and travel

Learn about travel with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.  

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.

Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in Western Europe. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Insects and Illness

In some areas in Western Europe, certain insects carry and spread diseases like Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, and West Nile virus.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Certain infections found in some areas in Western Europe, like rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is excellent. Service is available throughout the country.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons

Canada and Luxembourg are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Luxembourg to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Luxembourger authorities. This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe.Public intoxication and disorderly conduct is illegal.

Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences or heavy fines.

Useful links

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Luxembourg.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Luxembourg, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Luxembourg.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Luxembourg, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Luxembourgish court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Luxembourg to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Driving

You must be at least 18 years old to drive in Luxembourg.

If you become a legal resident of Luxembourg and wish to drive, you will need a local driver’s licence. To exchange your Canadian Driver’s licence, you will need a certified criminal record check, which you must obtain from the RCMP before you leave Canada.

Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 percent for a commercial and learner drivers and 0.05 percent for others.If a police officer suspects you of drinking and driving, they could confiscate your driver’s license on the spot. If you’re convicted, you can expect heavy fines.

You should carry an international driving permit.

• Driving in Luxembourg - European Commission
• Certified criminal record check – RCMP
• More about the International Driving Permit

Money

The currency of Luxembourg is the euro (EUR).

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
• bonds, shares
• gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
• gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
• any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Natural disasters and climate

There is a possibility of flooding in spring and summer.

• Exercise caution
• monitor local media
• follow the advice of local authorities