Published: January 24, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Luxembourg Travel Advisory and Luxembourg Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Luxembourg
22 Blvd. Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg
Tel: (+352) 46 01 23 00
After-hours emergency (+352) 621 547 133
Hours: 0830 – 1730, Monday – Friday
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is no active Country Chapter in Luxembourg.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Luxembourg Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions while traveling to Luxembourg.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Luxembourg as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Luxembourg.
The crime emergency line in Luxembourg is 113.
Luxembourg is a safe, modern country with infrastructure, services, and amenities like those found in the United States. The general crime rate is below the U.S. national average, but Luxembourg has seen a general increase in reported crimes over the past five years. Most crimes are petty street crimes, crimes of opportunity, and burglaries. Pickpocketing occurs with some regularity, often at popular tourist sites and near the train station, where victims are likely to be carrying cash for shopping and are usually distracted. Individuals who have traveled on trains to Luxembourg have also reported bags, laptops or other valuables stolen when left adjacent to seats or unattended.
Although overall crime has decreased in recent years, home burglaries have increased with the highest number of incidents occurring during the Christmas season and summer holidays when residents are likely to be on vacation or out of the house. In most of these cases, burglaries targeted unoccupied homes; home invasions or burglaries of occupied residences are infrequent. Violent crime is rare but does exist.
Thefts of backpacks, laptops, or other valuables regularly occur on the trains with notably more incidents on the trains to and from Brussels. Incidents of petty crime spike during the annual “Schueberfouer,” a three-week fair held in Luxembourg City every summer.
The U.S. government does not restrict any areas in Luxembourg for its personnel. The neighborhood surrounding the main train station, referred to locally as the “Quartier Gare,” does have a slightly higher crime rate than the rest of the city. While the train station itself is safe, traveling the side streets that intersect the area, particularly at night, can expose individuals to a greater risk of becoming a victim of crime. While police maintain a continuous presence and work diligently to enforce the law, when contrasted with the level of safety found in the rest of the city, the Quartier Gare is an area of concern. Avoid traveling alone on small side streets after dark, particularly in the Quartier Gare neighborhood. Low-level drug vending has increased in the Quartier Gare at night, as well as in some of Luxembourg’s city parks.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Luxembourg.
Luxembourg runs a nationwide Amber Alert system that works in concert with Amber Alert Europe, should a child abduction cross international boundaries.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Luxembourg as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Luxembourg.
While there are no known indigenous terrorist organizations operating in Luxembourg, the country shares regional concerns with its neighbors: France, Belgium, and Germany. All three of these countries experienced terrorist attacks and major terrorism-related arrests in recent years, with several arrests occurring only miles from the Luxembourg border. There are no known international or transnational terrorist threats against U.S. interests in Luxembourg.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Luxembourg as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Luxembourg. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has a constitutional monarchy and a democratic parliamentary form of government with a popularly elected unicameral parliament called the Chamber of Deputies. The prime minister is the leader of the dominant party or party coalition in parliament. In 2023, the country held parliamentary elections that observers considered free and fair. The parliament holds elections every five years, with the next election scheduled for 2028.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations occur occasionally in Luxembourg and have historically been non-violent. Public demonstrations take place for a variety of political, economic, or social causes. Demonstrations tend to take place on politically significant days and during international summits hosted in the country.
Protests tend to be small, well organized, and non-violent; local authorities generally sanction them in advance. Civil unrest, to include labor strikes, is extremely rare. The government is highly permissive in allowing freedom of assembly; groups wishing to hold protests or rallies need only apply for a permit to do so. These gatherings are virtually free of violence, proceed according to pre-arranged plans, and are generally without incident. Most activities involve raising awareness on a variety of social and global issues.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Vocal anti-U.S./anti-Western sentiment is minimal in Luxembourg and has yet to manifest itself in the form of significant protests or demonstrations. Third-country nationals have protested near the U.S. Embassy on a variety of topics over the last few years, but all have been peaceful and non-confrontational.
Law Enforcement
The Grand Ducal Police maintain internal security and report to the Internal Security Ministry. The police agency is organized very similarly to local law enforcement in the U.S., with local police responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of criminal law, traffic regulations, incident response, and crime prevention. It is also responsible for internal security as well as airport and border security. Specialized units are responsible for investigations and crisis response. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There are no credible reports of significant human rights abuses by these law enforcement agencies.
The High Commission for National Protection (HCNP) falls under the responsibility of the prime minister and minister of state, with the main mission of ensuring the safety of Luxembourg’s population. Luxembourg operates the VIGILNAT alert system to offer guidance and information to Luxembourgish citizens. Luxembourg’s HCNP remains focused on vigilance, prevention, and protection of variable intensity that do not excessively limit the country's economic and social life.
Police Response
The Grand Ducal Police employs a well-trained and well-equipped modern police force, placing a great emphasis on customer service. Police are highly professional and reliable. Many speak English.
Contact police directly at 113. The general emergency number is 112, which includes fire and ambulance services. Most often, English-speaking operators are available.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Luxembourg, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Luxembourg.
If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. Luxembourg authorities typically do not permit foreigners accused of crimes to leave the country while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Cybersecurity
While service providers are modern and efficient, they are susceptible to hacking and unauthorized intrusions. Spear phishing attacks are common; however, they are generally easy to recognize and can be avoided by simply deleting the email.
The Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity manages a collaborative portal where users can find free comprehensive resources, expertise and support on cybersecurity.
Import/Export Restrictions
The following commodities may be prohibited for entry into Luxembourg: All products containing the biocide dimethylfumarate (DMF); bird-protection; counterfeit coins and bank notes; counterfeit or pirated goods; non-prescription drugs; eggs; explosives; gold bars; goods bearing false origin statements in any form; goods infringing on a copyright or trademark; ivory or ivory products; jewelry; live animals and products of animal origin; poultry; precious metals; precious stones; radar and detection equipment for cars; radioactive products; river and sea fish; textile articles; waste products; and weapons.
There are no restrictions on the import and use of satellite phones. Operations of drones must follow European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements, which are more restrictive than FAA requirements.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
