Health insurance in Luxembourg: CNS and access to healthcare

How to get psychological help in Luxembourg

Museums and cultural centers in Luxembourg

With or without visa: grounds for legal stay in Luxembourg

Changing time: the Economics of Daylight Saving Time

University of Luxembourg opened the doors for new students

«Nobody needs to sleep outside»: a new ban on begging in Luxembourg City

Not so green: European Commission directive for greenwashers

Luxembourg events for March 31 to April 2: pet-friendly weekend

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STATEC has published a new study. This time it focuses on the inhabitants of the Grand Duchy. From 2011 to 2021, the number of the population grew by 25% to 644,000 people. The latest population census proves this.

A slight change in the average age has happened:

 it increased to 39.7 years. Also, the number of men has proportionately increased since 2011. One of the main reasons for this is labor migration.

The number of children remains constant in proportion. On average, there are 1.4 children for every woman in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg's population grew 25% in decade

The petition №2540 has received 4,770 votes out of the 4,500 required. The law obligates the parliament to consider the proposals which got so many signatures.

extend parental leave for up to 12 days for either parent. The 12-day leave per year will be available until the child reaches the age of 13.

By the way, this is not the only petition that is pending signatures and possible approval. You can read all the appeals currently open in Luxembourg and vote for the one you think is the most important 

Successful petition on extended parential leave will appear in the House

On February 1, Wednesday the law on the medical insurance coverage of psychotherapy services will be effective. Payments will be made according to the reimbursement principle. That is, the patient will pay for the specialist's services and then receive a partial reimbursement. For children and young people up to 18 years, the insurance will reimburse 100% of the cost. For adults – only 70%.

Only sessions prescribed by your general practitioner will be refunded

. Sessions arranged by one's own initiative will not be reimbursed. At the moment, the cost of a session in Luxembourg is 144 euros.

Have health insurance. You can learn more about how to get one 

Have a prescription for therapy sessions from your attending physician;

Start therapy within 90 days of getting a prescription;

Make your payment and send receipts, a copy of the prescription, and your 13-digit number to the National Health Service (CNS).

Reimbursements will also be available for cross-border workers who are eligible for healthcare in Luxembourg.

Paperjam

How to get a refund for psychotherapy services

This is the conclusion of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) 

. According to the LIH, residents are on average inactive for 12 hours a day, despite the fact that the country ranks very high in the EU ranks of physical activity.

The researchers found that while overall adherence to recommended physical activity levels is high, the same is true for the sedentary lifestyle.

The study also found that former smokers were more active than people who never smoked. In addition, women showed lower levels of activity, while men had a more sedentary lifestyle, but did more intense exercises.

Chronicle

The average Luxembourgian spends half of the day seated

In December 2022, Luxembourg Stratégie launched a campaign in which 

everyone was able to vote for three possible options for the development of the country 

by 2050. More than 600,000 questionnaires were received, and more than 60 people were able to discuss the prospects in person with the Minister of Economy Franz Fayot.

The most realistic scenarios seemed to be the first and the third with 30% of the votes each. 

 assumes a population of 1.1 million people and a strong attraction of skilled professionals from abroad. 

 — is a population of 1.2 million people and emphasized technological efficiency and progress.



 seemed the most unrealistic (14% of votes) for people. It assumes that the population would stop growing as soon as it reached 770 thousand, yet the pressure on the housing and transport sectors would decrease because of the stagnating economy.



Nonetheless, the second scenario appears to be the most desirable for respondents:

 71% believe this is the ideal scenario in 2050. Another 19% believe that technological progress is also quite reasonable. The smallest number of people voted for the status quo, like maintaining the current state of affairs.

The main threats to the economy are seen in poverty and the inability to cope with environmental disturbances. Respondents also expressed more down-to-earth fears, such as a shortage of food or the need to leave Luxembourg.

Gouvernement.lu

Luxembourgers have chosen the economic outlook for the country

Winter sales in Luxembourg started on January 2 and will last until January 28. In neighboring Belgium and Lorraine, the discount season will only start tomorrow. As part of the season, stores will be open on Sundays - January 8, 15 and 22.

This year, many discounts are even more profitable than usual. Clothing for adults and footwear are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 16% instead of the usual 17%. Children's clothing is still subject to the ultra-low 3% tax.

Delano

Winter sales begin today

The Government Council of Luxembourg has decided to include psychotherapy into the national health insurance. Negotiations about this have been going on for the past 5 years, but the State Health Fund (CNS) and the Federation of Associations of Psychotherapists of Luxembourg (Fapsylux) could not agree on the specific amount of compensation.

Now this amount is finally set. A therapy session of 50-60 minutes will be reimbursed with 144 euros. This should help insurance holders to better care about not only their physical, but also their mental health.

L'essentiel

Psychotherapy now part of medical insurance — hour-long session reimbursed with 144 euros

More and more Luxembourgish parents are sending their children to pre-school education. The Minister of Education, Claude Meisch, cites the following figures:

As of June 2022, the majority of these children (3300 children aged 3 years and over) were benefiting from some sort of daycare structure as a supplement to pre-primary education. This includes school houses, nurseries and helpers.

Also, the minister’s data shows that part-time school is not as popular as one might expect. Only a little less than a third of parents used it last school year. And 3126 students — 69% — went to school full time.

In 16 out of 102 municipalities (including Luxembourg, Dudelange and Esch-sur-Alzette) in 2021/2022, it was possible to enroll a child for pre-school education during the school year. But about 30 municipalities, including Differdange, have categorically refused this additional measure.

However, children rarely use this opportunity anyways. In 2021/2022, only 132 students entered preschool education not from at the start of the year. Ten of them started their studies during the 3rd semester. Those who have recently moved are not included in these statistics: they do not begin their studies anew, but resume from the moment they left off.

Le Quotidien

Early childhood education is on the rise

To do this, you need to take part in a survey and express your opinion on 3 scenarios proposed for the country’s economic development by 2050. The campaign is run by the Luxembourg Stratégie, Department of Strategic Perspectives of the Ministry of Economy. You can participate until January 9.

The first scenario assumes that in 2050 the population of Luxembourg will be 1.1 million people, while the country will continue to actively attract skilled labor from outside.

Meanwhile, the second scenario is as follows: Luxembourg has 770,000 inhabitants, but the population and economy stop growing, which eases the pressure on transport and housing.

The third scenario assumes that the Grand Duchy will have a population of 1.2 million, with housing and employment markets precarious, but it will be a technologically efficient and progressive country.

All of these scenarios have been developed as part of 

, which aims to predict the economic trajectories of Luxembourg in the Greater Region in the coming decades.

identify threats that need to be reduced or avoided in order to make the economy more competitive and resilient.

The survey starts online today and will run for 6 weeks, until January 9. It is intended for all citizens: pupils and students, employees and employers, pensioners, residents, cross-border workers or expatriates, citizens or not — in short, for all those who are concerned about the economic future of Luxembourg.

To participate, you need to fill out an online application form on the 

In addition, interested respondents can take part in a lunchtime debate with Economy Minister Franz Fayot on December 14 or December 16. Number of seats available is limited. They will be distributed as data from respondents is recieved.

The results of the study (future scenarios and strategic vision) will be presented to the general public on March 28, 2023.

The public can influence the economic development of Luxembourg  through a survey

Buses to industrial enterprises will stop running on February 12, 2023. This was announced by the Ministry of Transport on Friday, December 2. But some companies learned the news at the end of November: the Ministry of Transport sent them emails.

Of course, the abolition of buses is inconvenient for employees of these enterprises. Since February, they will have no public transport for getting to work and back home. The OGBL stood up for them. The trade union cited a survey of workers, which shows that most of them use public transport.

The Ministry of Transport counters that buses are almost never used. On average, 15–16 people travel any one route per day. Most of the routes have less than 10 passengers daily. And to maintain these routes, the state spends almost 5 million euros a year.

Given this data, the cancellation of routes is almost certainly a settled issue. But it’s likely the union will negotiate alternative transportation for workers.

10U Roodt/Syre (Z.I.) — Gilsdorf — Diekirch;

15U Troine — Clervaux — Colmar/Usines — Bissen/ArcelorMittal;

40U Contern Village/Contern ZI — Sandweiler Gare;

50U Bettembourg, Gare — CFL Multimodal — Eurohub;

60U Niederkorn-Esch-Dommeldange-Steinsel Z.l.;

Industrial workers will lose bus routes in February

The event was organized by the Integration Department of the Ministry of Family and Children. This is an important event for many people who come to Luxembourg. Orientation day allows you to learn basic things about the country, from laws and history to tips for dealing everyday issues.

. Here it was possible to communicate with representatives of various ministries and departments. And the visit by the Grand Duchess only emphasized the seriousness of the event.

A total of 550 CAI participants came to the meeting. The CAI or integration contract is an agreement with the state that makes it easier and faster to integrate into Luxembourgish society.

The Grand Duchess and the Minister of Family Affairs attended the orientation day in Luxembourg

A culture pass (Kulturpass) worth 200 euros will be given to all Germans on their 18th birthday by the Ministry of Culture

. Its goal is not only to make young people interested in the cultural heritage of the region, but also to force the younger generation to leave their houses more. The pandemic has made the vast majority of teenagers homebodies, now the state is trying to fix the situation.

In 2023, 750 000 people across the country will receive this birthday present. Similar projects are already working in France, Italy, Spain.

The culture pass will be valid for 2 years. You can spend 200 euros on any aspect of life related to culture. Go to a museum, a concert or a theater performance, buy books or music.

It will be possible to spend money through an application integrated with a special cultural marketplace. The initiative focuses on small local organizations, so shopping on Amazon with a culture pass will not work.

The pilot program will cost the German budget 100 million euros. However, this is a relatively small increase for the state’s cultural spending — 2.3 billion euros this year. If the program is successful, it’s planned to expand it. Then cultural passes will be given to teenagers from 15 years old.

There is no such program in Luxembourg yet, but its emergence is possible if both large neighbors — Germany and France — successfully carry out their projects.

The Guardian

Culture pass will be given as a birthday gift in Germany

For the second time in a week, yeast has been removed from store shelves

. Pieces of metal were found in the product, again. When ingested, they can cause suffocation and even seriously damage internal organs.

We wrote about the first case this Sunday

, but now the turn has come for a new brand. Bioreal yeast has been declared hazardous. «Bio HEFE» is sold in green and white packaging. The expiration date is November 20, 2022, the pack weighs 42 grams, the product’s lot is 4331. The product is distributed through many retail outlets. Be careful and don’t let metal get into your baking!

Metal yeast — a new trend in Luxembourg?

The data is compared to last year’s October. The European Union decided to use 15% less gas until the March of next year. So Luxembourg’s usage is significantly below the maximum amount allowed. 

This is not the first month that the Grand Duchy has been showing impressive results in terms of savings: -37% in August and -26% in September.

In fact, a very warm October played into the country’s favor here, making it possible to postpone the heating of houses. However, according to Claude Turmes, Minister of Energy, it is too early to relax. If the cold overtakes Luxembourg this winter, the gas costs will rise dramatically. It is understandable — no one will let citizens freeze.

As we’ve recently reported, the prices for natural fuel increased by 37%.

L'Essentiel

Luxembourg spent 36% less gas in October

Previously, the sign up deadline was November 1. The extension covers educational programs in schools and additional education for adults.

Adults and children over 15 years old can learn a profession through training and obtaining professional degree. This can be a Technician’s Diploma (DT), a Diploma of Professional Aptitude (DAP), or a Certificate of Professional Competence (CCP).

More information about the forms of study and the conditions of apprenticeship contracts is available on Guichet.lu:

companies that need corporate employee training

Guichet.lu

Sign up for additional education until the end of November

From November 11, people with substance addiction 

will be able to seek help in two new centers

. They will be located in Hollerich (7, rue de la Fonderie) and in Esch-sur-Alzette (32, Grand-Rue).

The assistance referred to in the announcement includes neuropsychiatric consultations and support for people who want to undergo treatment in Luxembourg or in other countries. The centers will also provide information services to contribute to social adaptation and integration, professional orientation, and tell you how to deal with housing and laws.

Consultations are free and anonymous. More detailed information can be found on the 

Luxembourg will help overcome addiction

A global campaign initiated by the WHO is being carried out to raise awareness about the safety of various medicines among the populace. Each drug taken can cause side effects, so the question of the correct use is always important for medicine.

Anyone can report a suspected side effect to the competent authorities

. The purpose of such monitoring is to track the spread of awareness about already known side effects as well as identification of new ones. By reporting these effects, people help doctors to better understand the effects of drugs on the body and improve their safety.

You can report your observations to your doctor or pharmacist. 

You can also do this online by filling out a form on the Guichet.lu portal. Each application received is subject to review

. If unforeseen complications arise, the state may change its policy for the drug in question.

Gouvernment.lu

Medical Safety Week in Luxembourg will be held on November 7-13

A petition demanding to protect young people from the negative effects of social networks

This negative impact, according to the authors of the petition, is aimed at the brains of children who, due to social networks, have lost all or a big part of their ability to concentrate.

The petition has 33 signatures so far. To get to the discussion in Parliament, 4500 people must vote for the initiative over the next six weeks. You can support the creators of the initiative that limits the impact of social networks on children on 

In addition, you can vote for other petitions published on the website of the Chamber of Deputies. Initiatives that can be supported include:

Replacing advances for gas, electricity or water with invoices that take real consumption into account

Financial compensation for essential workers not eligible for remote work

An additional day off for schoolchildren on their birthday 

Will society advocate for banning social networks for children under 16?

The rest of Europe is not threatened by the cold either.

 This winter is likely to be warmer than average. That’s the data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

A warm winter is most likely to occur in the UK, on ​​the Mediterranean coast and in some countries of Central Europe. If frost and cold spare at least these territories, Europe will have enough gas for the season and then some.

However, the risk remains that the winter will be colder than expected. But even then Europe will not freeze. With low temperatures, European governments may temporarily close some facilities. This will save energy and redirect it to heating households.

Bloomberg

Luxembourg won't freeze this winter

Students between the ages of 13 and 16 can participate

. Registration is open from today, October 3, until October 14. The idea is to encourage teens to stop smoking and refuse any invitation to start smoking altogether. The Mission Nichtrauchen competition is an initiative of the Luxembourg Cancer Foundation.

According to Cancer.lu, every third resident of Luxembourg between the ages of 18 and 34 smokes. “These figures are alarming as the number of young smokers has increased by 68% in 5 years,” the foundation explains in a recent statement. To reduce this figure, competitions have been held annually since 1999 to encourage students and teachers to take care of their health.

To participate, teachers need to register their classes for the competition by October 14. Every month from November 2022 to May 2023, students will be asked to take a quiz to test their knowledge of smoking.

At the end of the challenge, the highest scoring classes will be invited to a celebratory event. Those who’ve earned the most points will receive 1000, 500 and 250 euros respectively. Last year, 134 classes, 2483 students and 96 teachers took part in the event.

Earlier we wrote that the Luxembourg society expresses concern about the problem of smoking. For example, 

it was proposed to ban smoking in public spaces and double tax cigarettes

Annual anti-tobacco competition for teenagers opens registration today

French is the language of official communication and the administrative language of Luxembourg. It is widely used throughout the country, from small talk to television. We have collected for you seven platforms for learning French in Luxembourg, including free ones.

National Institute for the Study of Languages

INL offers French courses accredited by the Ministry of Education for adults. The effectiveness of these courses is confirmed by national certificates.

You can choose private home tuition and learn the part of the language that you need most at the moment — for business, studies, visiting museums, watching TV and reading newspapers, etc. Options include Berlitz, Prolingua Language Centre, Inlingua.

You can find interesting online resources for those who want to learn French without spending a lot of time and money. You can start with 

 try your hand at a simulated conversation to improve your vocabulary

choose a site where you can learn a language through a variety of exercises and games

Radio Lingua Network offers free podcasts for spoken French and other languages ​​in an accessible format. You can also watch Podcast Francais Facile — podcasts in French with transcription. There are several podcast types, focused on grammar, dictation, articles about culture, etc. Suitable for beginners.

You can learn the language online at Skype Language School, which offers French tuition along with other courses.

short interviews in French with subtitles

video reports from the BBC Ma France channel

. So you can not only learn new words and expressions, but also get to know French culture more deeply. Or you can learn French with 

TV5Monde — you can choose both the starting level and your age

For example, offline and online meetings organized by 

. Today at 19:00 they will organize an online event for everyone. There is no substitute for speaking practice, so you can follow the Facebook group and meet periodically to speak French.