Why Luxembourg is one of the best countries for international workers

The country’s workforce is represented by more than 180 nationalities, giving it the feel of a small, yet global village. With nearly 75% of the country's workforce consisting of immigrant workers or cross-border commuters, and friendly conversations often flowing between multiple languages within a few minutes, there is an unmistakable worldly vibe here.

A few of the reasons why Luxembourg is one of the best countries for international workers include:

• Its unique multilingual society where people speak more languages, on average, than anywhere in the EU
• The ease of integration, formed through bonds of shared relocation experiences
• A dynamic economy that invites diverse perspectives for collaborative problem-solving
• A central location that embodies the cooperative spirit of the European Union

Below, we explore each of these in more detail.

A unique linguistic environment

Diversity in Luxembourg is not just an impressive statistic; it is a one-of-a-kind, open-minded work culture that encourages new ideas and perspectives. The unique blend of cultures is vividly reflected in the linguistic landscape.

The workplace in Luxembourg is multilingual, meaning you are never far from someone who speaks your language – literally and metaphorically. On average, residents speak more than three languages, which is the highest in the EU. French, German, and Luxembourgish are the official ones. This is supported by the fact that more than 200,000 cross-border workers commute daily from Belgium, Germany and France.

On average, residents speak more than three languages, which is the highest in the EU. 

Not fluent in any of these? English is widely spoken, especially in the business world. Luxembourg is arguably one of the European countries where English is most widely spoken.

English aside, let us not forget that the largest immigrant population in Luxembourg comes from Portugal, with other large communities from France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Romania, to name a few. Lage non-European communities include Ukraine, India, China, Syrie and Brazil. 

Shared experiences ease integration

This linguistic diversity, combined with a culture that values inclusivity, makes it easier to build both professional and personal networks. One of the standout features of Luxembourg is the ability for international workers to integrate. 

In a place where it can seem like everyone is from somewhere else – even many Luxembourgers have lived in other countries – there is a shared experience that relocation forges which is hard to replicate elsewhere. And Luxembourg is small enough that these networks remain unchanged even after a career switch.

This ease of settling in is why Luxembourg ranks high in the William Russell Expat Index (No. 16) and the InterNations’ Expat Insider (No. 18), reflecting the positive experiences of those who relocated here. 

Diverse in people and economic opportunity

Luxembourg's dynamic economy is attracting people who want to work among great minds. The capital city has one of the highest concentrations of highly-skilled professionals in the EU. Organisations in Luxembourg benefit from a mix of perspectives and experiences. 

This cultural blend also stems from the 12 different EU institutions present in Luxembourg, as well as a number of well-known major international companies that have offices in Luxembourg. To get an idea of who is here, discover current openings on our job board. 

Organisations in Luxembourg benefit from a mix of perspectives and experiences. 

In the end, Luxembourg's status as the most socially globalised country in the world means that working here provides access to a highly internationally connected and culturally diverse environment with strong global networks and interactions.

Never far away from something new

Luxembourg's central location in Europe makes it a hub for cross-cultural exchange. It offers easy access to a market of 11.6 million people in the “Greater Region” made up by the Grand Duchy and its neighbouring regions in France, Germany and Belgium. This strategic location provides access to other major business centres like Brussels, Frankfurt or Paris, to name a few.

As part of the Schengen area, named after a small town in Luxembourg where the agreement on the free movement of people was signed, Luxembourg is at the heart of the European spirit. According to a Eurobarometer survey, Luxembourg is one of the countries where people feel most European, showing the strong sense of community.

Luxembourg is at the heart of the European spirit. It is one of the countries where people feel most European.

And if you ever want to explore further, Luxembourg offers direct flights to over 70 destinations in Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa, so you are always connected.

If you want to work in an international environment, there is perhaps no better place to do so than Luxembourg, a country that values diversity, encourages innovation and opens its doors to the world.

Photo credit: Alfonso Salgueiro