Focus on the nursing profession in Luxembourg

Dragan JOKSICavatar

Published on 28/01/2025, by Dragan JOKSIC

infirmier au luxembourg

In this series of articles, discover various professions you can find in Luxembourg.



The nursing profession


The role of a nurse involves providing medical care while supporting patients during their treatment, rehabilitation, or recovery. Nurses monitor patients' health, administer medications, perform technical procedures (dressings, blood samples, etc.) and provide psychological support. They work alongside doctors and other healthcare professionals in various establishments such as hospitals, clinics or at home.


In Luxembourg, access to certain professions is regulated by legislation, particularly in the healthcare, social and educational frameworks. Nursing is one of the 23 regulated healthcare professions.


Whether as a general care nurse, specialist nurse, charge manager, district nurse, or working in home care, health care facilities, palliative care, doctor's office, or hospitals (particularly operating theatres), nurses must demonstrate technical, human, and interpersonal skills. These qualities are essential for delivering high-quality care, while establishing a relationship of trust with their patients.



Education and skills


To work in Luxembourg, you must have at least B2 proficiency in one of the country’s three official languages (German, French, or Luxembourgish). If none of these is your native language, you must provide proof of your ability to communicate in one of them.


Several educational programmes or degrees qualify you to become a nurse:


Table showing French, German, Luxembourg and Belgian qualification levels for the nursing profession in Luxembourg


It's important to note that to practise as a nurse in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, recognition of the diploma is required for anyone who has obtained their qualifications outside Luxembourg.


These training programmes provide the know-how and interpersonal skills needed to practise this profession:


  • Exercise clinical judgement in order to draw up a diagnosis and a treatment plan;
  • Take and analyse patients' vital signs;
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills (with patients and healthcare staff);
  • Work methodically, prioritise emergencies, and stay organised;
  • Respect the legal and ethical framework, etc.;
  • Respect hygiene and safety standards for staff, patients and yourself.



Do you care about others’ well-being?
Do you have a flair for dialogue and interpersonal skills?
Do you have robust physical and psychological resilience?
Are you attentive, rigorous and organised?
Do you have all these qualities? Then you could make an excellent nurse!



The different types of nurse


General care nurse


General care nurse can work in various healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, retirement homes, rehabilitation centres, health centres, medical care at school, childcare facilities, doctor's offices, etc.


Specialist nurse


A nurse has the opportunity to specialise in fields such as intensive care, paediatrics, psychiatry, or management. Recruitment challenges for specialist profiles are significant in Luxembourg, particularly in operating theatres and intensive care units.


Charge manager


Any qualified healthcare professional with proven experience can advance their careers into managerial roles in Luxembourg. These positions are typically found in health care facilities, where managers oversee operations (proximity management, intermediate management, care direction, etc.). Such roles require expertise in care concepts, the healthcare system, and its funding.


Domestic assistance and home care


With an ageing population, the development of outpatient care and home care, the number of home care structures is growing. Requirements include a valid driving licence, proficiency in the country's languages, and the ability to work independently and efficiently.


District nurse


It is possible to join a structure as a partner or to work as a district nurse. Beyond diploma recognition and obtaining authorisation to practise in Luxembourg, additional steps include registering with the professional registrer, affiliating with the Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale (CCSS) as a district nurse, registering with the Administration des Contributions Directes, and joining the Association Nationale des Infirmières et Infirmiers Luxembourgeois (ANIL).



Being a nurse in Luxembourg


Nurses’ rights and wages are defined by the collective agreement applicable to their workplace: the Fédération des Hôpitaux Luxembourgeois (FHL) for hospitals and the Secteur d'Aide et de Soins et du Secteur Social (SAS) for outpatient care.


The FHL collective agreement provides 26 legal leave days and 10 additional days, including public holidays, for a total of 36 working days.

On the other hand, the SAS collective agreement provides 34 working days of annual leave, including legal and public holidays.


A nurse's salary starts at €4,398 gross per month. As their career progresses, this amount gradually rises to €5,548.54 after 10 years' experience. After 20 years of service, a nurse can earn up to €6,699.07, with additional opportunities to specialise or move into managerial roles.



Did you know?


On 27 November 2024, the OGBL and the LCGB signed a new SAS collective agreement with the employers' associations in the care sector - COPAS, DLJ and FEDAS. This agreement will take effect on 1 January 2025 for an initial duration of three years.

The new agreement introduces significant improvements to enhance the sector’s attractiveness.


In addition, the parties to the SAS collective agreement recognise that the existence of two sectoral collective agreements (FHL and SAS) with different working conditions creates significant inequalities among employees in the same profession.

They have committed to engaging all stakeholders to launch a process for harmonising working conditions, aiming to establish a unified FHL-SAS collective agreement. This unified agreement would create synergies to address workforce shortages and ensure fair treatment of all employees.



Discover all the nursing jobs in Luxembourg on Moovijob.com.



If you would like to find out more about jobs in Luxembourg, visit our blog.

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