Healthcare System in Luxembourg: Everything you need to know

How does the Luxembourgish Healthcare System work?

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the countries that, according to the WHO, invest the most in their Health. The luxembourgish system is composed of the private sector (CNS or Caisse Nationale de Santé) and the public sector. The last one is divided in three sub sectors, each one dedicated to different people according to their jobs: the CMFP (Caisse de Maladie des Fonctionnaires et Employés Publics) is directed to employees and servants of the public sector; the CMFEC (Caisse de Maladie des Fonctionnaires et Employés Communaux) is dedicated to the attention of communal servants and governmental agents; and the EMCFL (Entraide Médicale des CFL), attending workers of the railway system.

Every working citizen must be affiliated, in the first place, to the CCSS (Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale). The affiliation is made by their employer, and it must include the employee's dependents. The CCSS is in charge of both the affiliation of the employees and other purposes, such as social security, illness or maternity insurance, pensions, medical expenses reimbursement (medicines included), and others. 

The Healthcare System in Luxembourg is based on copay, which basically means that you'll have to pay for your medical attention at first, and be reimbursed for about 80% of the expenses later on. 

The Health Fund does not cover all types of attention. That is why there are complementary insurances to better your coverage. 

How does the system work for foreigners?

If you’re a EU citizen visiting Luxembourg, with your European Health Card you’ll be able to access health services at a local hospital without being affiliated to the CCSS, but keep in mind you’ll still have to pay full price and be reimbursed for some of it later. That is why it is still recommended that you hire travel insurance to protect yourself financially and get coverage in high-cost attentions or accidents that require transfer to a medical establishment or even repatriation. 

If you’re visiting Luxembourg as a tourist from outside the EU, you’ll have to hire travel insurance to finance any medical attention you might require in case of illness or emergencies. You can find the best travel insurance for you here. 

On the other hand, if you’re planning on moving to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, you’ll have to get affiliated to the CCSS, so you can also be affiliated to the CNS and access local health services. 

If you want to live in Luxembourg, it is ideal that you hire an international health insurance company that helps you finance your health related attention wherever you are, both in your country of origin and in Luxembourg. You can find the ideal one for you using our online International Health Insurances comparator, and get free advisory from one of our experts at InternationalHealth.com.

https://internationalhealth.com/en/Compare? 

What should I do in case of an emergency while in Luxembourg?

When facing an emergency, you can dial 112 or 113 depending on the characteristics of the emergency:

• Emergency with injured people: 112 -  It is only used when help is required ASAP or there’s a situation that could induce a vital risk, like a fire or car accident.

• Emergency without injured people: 113 - Call this number in case of robbery or physical aggression. 

How do I access a Healthcare facility in Luxembourg?

Different from the case of other European countries, in case you require medical attention in Luxembourg (and possess a EHC), you can just go to a Hospital (in this country all of them are public). You don’t need to see a General Doctor first in order to access attention with a specialist. 

In case you’re from outside the EU, it will depend on what your Health or Travel Insurance determines: some insurances might offer attention only at certain facilities, some might offer attention via phone call.

How do Pharmacies in Luxembourg operate ?

The pharmacies in the Grand Duchy are usually open Monday to Saturday between 9am and 6pm. In case of requiring a pharmacist's attention outside said schedule, you’ll have to go to a designated Pharmacy “in shift”. Attention is usually in French or english. 

Medicines in Luxembourg usually require a prescription, which is why it is recommended to travel with enough medicine from your country of origin if you know you’ll need to take it while in Luxembourg. Take the prescription with all details with you. 

If you are affiliated to the social security in Luxembourg, medicines that require prescription are, in general, totally or partially reimbursed.

Entry Requirements

There are no current restrictions regarding Covid-19, nor will you need proof of vaccination or negative testing. 

Remember that, depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to enter Luxembourg. You can get informed about the specific criteria you might need to meet on the website of your local Luxembourgish Embassy or Consulate.