Luxembourg has one of the densest concentrations of international and multilingual schooling in Europe, driven by the EU institutions, a large financial sector and a genuinely multilingual population. The result is real choice across English medium, European School and free public international routes, though that choice needs decoding before you can act on it.
The school landscape in Luxembourg
The International School of Luxembourg and St George's International School are the principal English medium fee paying schools, both well established and offering international pathways. The European Schools deliver multilingual education leading to the European Baccalaureate and are free for children of EU institution staff. Uniquely, Luxembourg also runs free state funded international and European style public schools that teach in English, French or German, which broaden access well beyond the traditional fee paying model.
How to move to Luxembourg with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the August or September school start and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications in Luxembourg.
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match three schools in Luxembourg to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because popular year groups fill first.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, because in most systems your address shapes your options.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange residency, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
Fee paying English medium schools such as the International School of Luxembourg and St George's sit in the premium Western European band, with senior years costing more than the early years. The European Schools are free for eligible EU staff families, and the state funded public international schools carry little or no tuition, which makes Luxembourg unusually accessible for a high cost city. Confirm any current figure directly with the school, since schedules are reviewed annually.
Neighbourhoods and housing
Families using the International School of Luxembourg often settle in the eastern districts near the campus and in the neighbouring suburbs, while others choose the border regions of Belgium, France or Germany where housing is cheaper and commute the short distance in. St George's and the public international schools draw families to different corners of the country, so let the school choice guide the housing search rather than the reverse. Housing inside the country is expensive, which is why cross border living is common.
Language and settling in
Luxembourg is genuinely trilingual in Luxembourgish, French and German, and English is widely used in the international and financial community. The public system introduces several languages early, which is a strength for children who will stay but a steep demand for those arriving mid schooling, so many mobile families choose an English medium or European School route for continuity.
Curriculum continuity
Curriculum continuity is a particular strength of Luxembourg, because the choice runs from the International Baccalaureate at the fee paying schools to the European Baccalaureate at the European Schools and further international options within the free public system. A globally mobile family can therefore usually find a pathway that matches what their child has already been studying. The main watch point is the multilingual public route, which introduces several languages early and is demanding for a child arriving mid schooling, so families seeking a smooth English medium continuum often favour an international or European School place.
Healthcare, admin and cost of living
Practically, register your residence promptly, since this underpins banking, healthcare and school enrolment across Luxembourg's efficient administrative system. Residents join a strong public healthcare scheme, and many families arrange interim private cover while registration completes. Because housing inside the country is expensive, a large share of the workforce lives across the borders in Belgium, France or Germany and commutes in, which is worth modelling against your school choice and your tolerance for a cross border routine. Getting residency, housing and the school offer into the right sequence is the key to a calm first month.
The admissions timeline
The fee paying international schools and the European Schools accept applications ahead of the September start, and popular year groups fill early given the size of the international community. Places in the free public international schools are allocated through their own processes, so register interest promptly once your residency and address are settled.
Is Luxembourg a good place to raise children?
Luxembourg is a small, safe and prosperous country that is well set up for international families, with excellent infrastructure, a genuinely multilingual culture and easy reach into neighbouring France, Belgium and Germany. Family life is comfortable and well served, and the international community is large enough that newcomers rarely feel isolated.
Your first weeks: what to prioritise
In your first weeks, complete your residence registration, because it underpins banking, healthcare and school enrolment, then confirm the school offer and start date in writing. Decide early whether you will live inside the country or across a border, since that shapes housing, commuting and registration. Set up a bank account, arrange interim health cover and organise utilities, and the rest of family life tends to settle quickly given the country's efficient administration.
Frequently asked questions
What languages will my child study in Luxembourg?
The public system is trilingual in Luxembourgish, French and German and introduces languages early. Families wanting an English medium continuum usually choose an international school, a European School or a state funded public international school.
Are there free international schools in Luxembourg?
Yes. The European Schools are free for eligible EU institution staff, and Luxembourg runs free state funded public international schools teaching in English, French or German, which is unusual for a high cost city.
How much do the fee paying international schools cost?
Schools such as the International School of Luxembourg and St George's sit in the premium Western European band and rise through the senior years. Confirm current figures with each school.
Is it common to live across the border?
Yes. Many families live in the cheaper border regions of Belgium, France or Germany and commute the short distance in, because housing inside Luxembourg is expensive.
When should we apply?
Ahead of the September start, and earlier for popular year groups given the size of the international community. Public international places follow their own allocation once your address is settled.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Luxembourg.