Cost of living for students in Luxembourg

This predicament might be a contributing factor to Luxembourg attracting a relatively modest number of international students. In 2022, a mere 633 foreign students migrated to Luxembourg, placing the country towards the bottom of the list concerning student immigration within the European Union. Despite these challenges, the influx of students to the Grand Duchy grows annually. Understanding the cost of living is crucial for prospective students to adequately plan their academic pursuits.

Luxembourg's cost of living compared to other European cities

Understanding the extent of the high cost of living in Luxembourg becomes more tangible when viewed through reference indices. Numbeo, offering the world's most extensive cost-of-living database, provides valuable insights and indexes for a clearer perspective.

Among Numbeo's comprehensive indices is the "Cost of Living Plus Rent Index," which evaluates consumer goods prices, including rent, in comparison to New York City. With this index, a city with a Cost-of-Living Index of 120 is estimated to be 20% more expensive than New York City.

Paris in France, United Kingdom megapolises, Iceland, Denmark and Norwegian cities, and Milan in Italy also precede Luxembourg.

Paris in France, United Kingdom megapolises, Iceland, Denmark and Norwegian cities, and Milan in Italy also precede Luxembourg. Source: Numbeo

Cost of living in Luxembourg for international students

With a broader understanding of the landscape, let's take a deeper look into the intricacies of living costs for international students in Luxembourg. Our exploration will span tuition fees, accommodation expenses, food costs, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenditures, offering a comprehensive guide to help students plan their academic journey in this prosperous nation.

Tuition fees for education programs

Luxembourg boasts a single public university, the University of Luxembourg, recognized for its economic affordability. While universities have the autonomy to set tuition fees for non-European students, the University of Luxembourg remains notably moderate while being sponsored by the government.

Belval Campus of the University of Luxembourg, photo from official website.

Fortunately, Luxembourg extends support to international students through scholarships and financial aid . Various universities and organizations offer diverse scholarship programs, addressing tuition and maintenance costs. These scholarships may be merit-based, need-based, or specific to particular fields of study. Prospective students are encouraged to explore official university websites, government initiatives, and external organizations to identify suitable scholarship opportunities.

Cost of student accommodation in Luxembourg

When assessing the cost of living for students in Luxembourg, accommodation emerges as a pivotal factor, notably high even for those earning a Luxembourgish salary.

Source: Numbeo

Grocery costs in Luxembourg

In the realm of food expenses, Luxembourg positions itself at 36th when compared to other countries in Numbeo's index. While an improvement from other indices, it still remains relatively high on the list.

Typically, students allocate a monthly budget of 250 to 350 euros for groceries. However, your dietary preferences play a pivotal role in determining your actual spending. Opting for a health-conscious diet with organic products, albeit pricier, may surpass the mentioned 350 euros. Conversely, embracing a more traditional and budget-friendly student diet, often centered around pasta, can keep expenses below the 250-euro mark.

How to calculate the costs before moving?

For a more precise understanding of itemized costs, exploring the online platforms of Auchan and Match is recommended. 

These supermarkets offer home delivery services and display product prices on their websites, providing valuable insights for students looking to manage their grocery costs effectively in Luxembourg.

Health care costs in Luxembourg for students

Luxembourg boasts a world-renowned healthcare system, a testament to the government's substantial investment in managing, maintaining, and enhancing healthcare infrastructure. The costs can vary based on your country of origin due to existing agreements between Luxembourg and other nations regarding social security.

In cases where no such agreement exists, the monthly enrollment cost in the student social security system is 33 euros. For detailed and up-to-date information, it is advisable to refer to the dedicated government page on Healthcare for students at guichet.lu.

General overview of living costs for students in Luxembourg

Luxembourg offers a student-friendly environment with a notable perk—free transportation. As a student, you won't incur any costs in this regard. However, miscellaneous expenses, not covered here, may require an additional budget of approximately 100 euros per month.

In summary, the monthly expenses range from a lower threshold of around 750 euros to an upper limit of approximately 1800 euros. The table below breaks down these costs.

Working opportunities as a student in Luxembourg

If you're wondering about the feasibility of working in Luxembourg as an international student, the student residence permit comes with the advantage of allowing employment under certain conditions.

Students can work a maximum of 15 hours per week on average during a one-month period, with exceptions for paid work during school holidays, research roles at higher education institutions or authorized research entities contributing to a Ph.D., and contracts for assistants at the University of Luxembourg. This flexibility enhances students' financial options, enabling them to gain valuable work experience while pursuing their academic goals in Luxembourg.