• MMC

When relocating or expatriating to Luxembourg, children’s education is often a central concern for families. Aware of this challenge, Luxembourg has introduced several changes to its public education system in recent years to better address the linguistic and cultural diversity of students.

The Luxembourg public school system has historically been based on multilingualism, with Luxembourgish, German and French introduced progressively throughout the different stages of education.

In response to the growing number of international families, the education authorities have strengthened measures aimed at making the system more flexible and better suited to non-French- or non-German-speaking students.

The objective is to promote the successful school integration of expatriate children while maintaining a high academic standard.

An evolving public education system for expatriate families

The public school system operates in three languages, and support measures are in place to help non-Luxembourgish students adapt.

The “Alpha Zuessen” pilot project: supporting linguistic integration

One of the key initiatives is the “Alpha Zuessen” pilot project, initially launched in four public schools during the 2022–2023 academic year and gradually extended to other schools across the country. It has now become an integrated reform within the public education system.

Key features include:

• Two possible literacy languages (German or French), depending on the child’s mother tongue.
• Luxembourgish remains the main spoken language at school, supporting local integration.
• Parents can choose the language in which their child will learn to read and write.

For internationally mobile families, this project represents a major advantage, allowing children to follow a programme adapted to their linguistic profile and significantly reducing common schooling challenges associated with expatriation.

Digitalisation and innovative teaching approaches

Luxembourg is also integrating digital tools and innovation into its education system, including at secondary level.

Notable initiatives include:

• Supervised learning of artificial intelligence in secondary schools, aimed at developing digital literacy and critical thinking.
• The WibS project – “Wibbelen & Intelligent Bewegen an der School” – which promotes physical activity at school and contributes to students’ well-being and concentration.

These modern approaches meet the expectations of many expatriate families, who are often particularly sensitive to innovative teaching methods, children’s well-being, and a balanced approach between academic achievement and personal development.

Inclusion at the heart of Luxembourg’s public schools

Support mechanisms exist for students with special educational needs or learning and language challenges, and the government is gradually strengthening these services (for example through regional services and structures such as ONE-Schouldéngscht).

Public schools now benefit from:

• Teachers trained to address special educational needs,
• Specialised professionals attached to ONE-Schouldéngscht, providing additional support to children who require it.

This structure enables tailored educational pathways, including for expatriate children facing linguistic, learning or cultural adaptation challenges.

Why these developments matter for expatriate families

In an international mobility context, offering an inclusive, multilingual and innovative school environment is a significant advantage for families settling in Luxembourg.

Understanding how the public education system works, supporting children through the school transition, and choosing the right language programme can make a real difference to the success of a family expatriation or relocation.