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Are you wondering whether taking the step towards Luxembourg is really worth it? Through the experiences of German cross-border workers and current labour market insights, we take a closer look at what makes Luxembourg one of Europe’s most attractive employment destinations and what daily life between work and commuting actually looks like.
A career without borders
It’s just after 6am, and thousands of people are already making their way towards Luxembourg. They all have one thing in common: they work in a country that offers one of the most attractive labour markets in Europe.
More than 50,000 German cross-border workers commute regularly to Luxembourg. Altogether, over 220,000 people travel daily from Germany, France and Belgium to their workplaces in the Grand Duchy. In return, they benefit from a dynamic job market, international career opportunities and exceptional cultural diversity.
More than just banking and finance
When people think of Luxembourg, banks and multinational corporations are often the first things that come to mind. However, the reality is far more diverse.
Lisa, a German cross-border worker employed by Drees & Sommer, recalls her initial perception: "I used to think that Luxembourg was mainly about finance." It did not take long for her to realise just how diverse both the industries and the people working in the country really are.
Today, career opportunities extend far beyond finance, covering sectors such as construction, arts and crafts, healthcare, IT, logistics, transport, space and financial services.
Nicole from Paul Wagner et Fils S.A., originally from Trier, and Heidi from ATEEL both highlight Luxembourg’s international and multicultural working environment as one of its greatest strengths. While Nicole initially felt somewhat intimidated by the multilingual nature of the workplace and the international business environment, she was quickly won over by the openness, friendliness and supportiveness of her colleagues. Heidi, who has been working in Luxembourg since 2009, specifically chose the Grand Duchy for its international atmosphere, multilingual environment, and the variety that characterises everyday working life. Both women particularly value the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures, as well as the ease with which new employees are welcomed and integrated.
How easy is it to find a job in Luxembourg?
Starting a career in Luxembourg is often easier than many people expect.
Lisa secured her position through an online job advertisement just two months after graduating and now works as an HR specialist. She describes her professional life as varied, stimulating and full of development opportunities.
Nicole also found her current role through a job advertisement. Although an initial contact with the company had been established several years earlier, various professional circumstances prevented a collaboration at the time. As both parties remained in touch, the right opportunity eventually arose around two and a half years later. Her story perfectly illustrates how highly sought-after qualified German-speaking professionals are on the Luxembourg labour market.
Heidi likewise found her first position in Luxembourg through an online job posting. She later secured her current role through her professional network. In her experience, Luxembourg’s relatively small size makes it easy to build valuable connections quickly. Those who are open to meeting new people often expand their network in a short period of time, creating new career opportunities along the way.
Commuting as part of daily life
Of course, cross-border working also comes with its challenges. Traffic jams, roadworks and unexpected delays are part of daily life for many commuters. On average, German cross-border workers travel approximately 48 kilometres each way.
Nevertheless, many employees do not view their daily commute as a burden. Nicole uses the time to listen to podcasts, enjoy music and practise languages.
"For me, the bus journey has become valuable personal time rather than time lost," says Lisa.
Heidi also sees advantages in her daily journey. Living in Trier, she typically needs between 35 and 45 minutes to reach her office, depending on traffic conditions. "The journey home allows me to leave the working day behind and arrive home much more relaxed." Once a week, she even swaps her car for an e-bike and cycles to work along the Moselle River. This allows her to combine her commute with exercise and a little extra leisure time.
Work-life balance is another important factor for many cross-border workers. One of the employees interviewed lives in Trier with her family and works part-time. When her children were younger, commuting presented a number of organisational challenges. Thanks to flexible working hours, family support and careful planning, she successfully found a balance that continues to work well today.
Working internationally and growing professionally
One of the aspects German cross-border workers appreciate most is the international atmosphere. German, French, English and Luxembourgish are often heard from the very first day at work. At the same time, all three interviewees point out that German remains an important working language in many companies, making the transition much easier than many candidates initially expect.
Those who speak only German need not worry. The Luxembourg labour market offers numerous positions where German is either the primary or even the sole language required for the role.
Heidi particularly encourages newcomers to take an interest in Luxembourgish. "Many people see Luxembourgish as just a dialect. In reality, it is a beautiful and useful language. Luxembourgers really appreciate it when you can answer questions or communicate with them in their own language."
"What surprised me most was how quickly I adapted to the international working environment and how naturally everything began to feel after only a short time," Nicole explains.
Beyond the language aspect, all three women emphasise the openness of their colleagues, flat organisational structures and the opportunity to take on responsibility early in their careers. Flexibility and a willingness to learn are, in their view, key ingredients for success.
Take the next step towards Luxembourg
If you would like to discover the professional opportunities available in the Grand Duchy for yourself and start building your network, the upcoming Moovijob Day Luxembourg in Trier is the perfect opportunity. The event brings together jobseekers and Luxembourg employers in one location, offering direct conversations with recruiters, valuable insights into a wide range of industries and access to current career opportunities.
The event will take place on Friday, 19 June, from 10am to 5pm at the Messepark Trier.
Find out in this video what it’s like to work in Luxembourg as a German cross-border worker
You can also find a wide range of German-speaking job offers in Luxembourg on Moovijob.com.