There are many reasons to move to Luxembourg, and if I should list a few, I’ll start with the great healthcare and education systems, generous work benefits, safety, and so on. Although you may hear that the cost of living in Luxembourg is pretty high, the salaries are proportionate with the high cost of living. If you are planning to move soon, here are a few examples of the cost of living in Luxembourg, as well as some alternative wallet-friendly choices you can make.
Monthly Living costs In Luxembourg
Average Rent
The most significant expense while living in Luxembourg is rent. When it comes to renting, landed properties are not very common. Most expats live in apartments due to the “affordability” as compared to renting a house.
The rental cost of a 2-bedroom apartment in prime areas close to the city center including neighborhoods such as Belair, Limpertsberg, Kirchberg, and Merl starts at around €1650 per month (communal charges not included) and can go up to €4500 depending upon how modern the apartment is, the age of the building, the size of the property, and the facilities. 2-bedroom apartments that are located on the outskirts such as Dommeldange and Strassen can range anywhere between €1600 (communal charges not included) to €3000.
Average Monthly Utilities and Charges
For a standard 2-bedroom apartment with two residents, the average utilities (water + electricity bills, and charges) may range from €180 to €360 a month, depending on the size of the apartment (heated area), your water usage, and the age of the building.
↠ Read: 5 Things To Know Before Moving To Luxembourg
Groceries & Household Products Costs
When estimating the cost of living in Luxembourg, or in any part of the world, groceries and household products are an inevitable expense in day-to-day life. In Luxembourg, as for supermarkets, the prices at Cactus can be a little bit higher compared to those at Lidl or Aldi. For oriental food, Asian stores are an excellent choice and are usually not too expensive.
You should budget for around €40–€50 a week per person for basic groceries and household products.
Food
When it comes to eating out, daily lunch at a café will cost around €12, whereas at an average restaurant you can have lunch for about €20-€25+. For fine dining, you should budget yourself €30-€50+.
Alcohol
Boozy expats could find drink prices a bit expensive. Expect to pay between €6.5 – €15 for a drink at a bar or restaurant. Note that happy hour is not common here.
Buying alcohol at supermarkets or liquor stores are generally cheaper options but a bit expensive in comparison to Germany.
Tranportation Costs
• Public Transport
Public transport in Luxembourg is of an exceptionally high standard and is free throughout the country and for all types of transport – buses, trams, and trains, which can help further reduce the cost of living in Luxembourg.
• Taxis
Taxis are quite expensive here in Luxembourg. Since taxi fares are not regulated, drivers and companies are free to apply their own rates. I only book taxis when I have late evening flights and use Hellotaxi App. Their prices are cheaper in comparison to other apps and I can save up to €6-€7 per ride.
• Private Car
Generally speaking, expats living close to the city center do not need to own a car other than for convenience. Apart from the initial purchase costs are the recurring costs of insurance, parking charges in the city, fuel charges, etc.
Fuel prices in Luxembourg are among the cheapest in Europe. Recent prices were €1.35 for unleaded and €1.23 for Diesel. In the same period, prices in neighboring countries were:
– Germany: €1.79 for unleaded and €1.50 for Diesel
– France: €1.72 for unleaded and €1.56 for Diesel.
Internet
We pay around €60 per month for our internet subscription, but you can find cheaper packages that cost around €40. Note that the prices do not include the home server and additional cabling installation.
Oh, on a side note, the internet speed in Luxembourg is generally decent!
Mobile Phone Subscription
The price of monthly mobile phone subscription varies depending on the package you opt for. I pay around €29 per month but you can find cheaper and more expensive options.
Gym Membership
Gym memberships in Luxembourg are often quite expensive and can typically cost around €40 to €95 per month, depending on the location, facilities, and service the gym provides. If you opt for a low-cost gym, expect to pay between €20- €27 per month.
Attractions
There are many free attractions and things to do in Luxembourg, which means you don’t necessarily have to pay for entertainment!
Free activities in Luxembourg include: visiting the castles, hiking and circular walks, gardens, parks, and lakes. Also, some museums offer visits free of charge.
So, there you have it! Before you pack your bags and get ready to move to Luxembourg, make sure to analyze your income, spend, and savings.
Thank you for making it all the way down. I hope you find this post useful.
Enweani Emmanuel chiagozie says
Please what are the general expenses of housing in Luxembourg and can I get a scholarship as an African student in Luxembourg.