Lifestyle

Bad news: you have just lost your job and you didn’t expect that to happen. It is a stressful experience but you have to get back to the top as soon as possible. Here are 7 tips to help you to bounce back fast.

The civil partnership (PACS), a form of union exists in Luxembourg since 1994, is a legal and less restrictive alternative to marriage and is available for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. But how to proceed and what are the advantages and implications?

The answer to this question is not simple. They are several types of family benefits and they are paid differently according to your family circumstances. Let’s have a look at them.

Finding love is not always easy, but is it more difficult in a multilingual and multicultural country such as Luxembourg? It is true that starting love with someone from another culture can be complicated but, in the Grand-Duchy, there can be an extra layer of complexity you might not have experienced in your home country.

Now that the spring is close, why no riding a bike? It is one of the easiest transport solutions. For distances under 6 km, bicycles are more efficient than cars. And for longer distances, combining biking with public transport is the best alternative to driving.

The answer is no. The process to move to Luxembourg with your pet is relatively smooth. If your pet is a dog, a cat or a ferret, there will be no quarantine imposed as long as the following requirements are met.

You are an expat and would like to bring your spouse or partner to live with you in Luxembourg but you don’t know the procedures. Are these so easy to follow? The answer is yes… and no.

Do you want to start your own business and become your own boss? Have you analysed the market and the competition? Have you carefully worked out your business model and market strategy? Now all you have to do is get started. But how should this be done? Is it complicated to become self-employed in Luxembourg?

The National Library of Luxembourg will be officially relocated from 1 October 2019. Situated in Kirchberg, the new building will have 8,570 m2 of public space and offer about 470 seats available to visitors.

If you are an expat coming from Europe or the neighbouring countries, living in Luxembourg is not very complicated. Most of the Luxembourg culture and social etiquette will be intuitive for you, but there are still some things to remember if you want to avoid embarrassing moments with Luxembourgers.

Each year, the Member States of the European Union – except Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom – grant thousands of blue cards. The blue card was launched in 2009 with the aim of boosting the EU’s ability to attract highly qualified workers from third countries.

Finding a balance between private and professional life can be tough, especially if you are working hard in your career. If it is your case, hiring someone to maintain your home, to take care of your children or to iron your clothes can be highly helpful.

Getting to know another country’s healthcare system can be daunting for new expats. But if you are living and working in Luxembourg, you don’t have to worry too much because you are in safe hands.

Do you have to pay tax in the Grand-Duchy? Which income will be taxed? What are the different types of taxes and rates that apply?

Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality by naturalisation is becoming more and more a must. The Institut National des Langues (INL), a public administration under the authority of the Minister of Education, Children and Youth, certifies knowledge of the Luxembourgish language, one of the three prerequisites for the voluntary acquisition of nationality.

Since the reformed legislation on Luxembourgish nationality came into force on 1 April 2017, the number of naturalisations has been exploding. In 2017, some 9,000 people have applied for a Luxembourg passport. It is three times more than the previous year

Electric vehicles are all the rage! For several years, manufacturers have been developing more affordable and efficient vehicle ranges. And car buyers are more concerned about their ecological footprint. Many of them want to give up their polluting and fuel-guzzling internal combustion vehicles. However, serious thought must be given to this change (budget, choice of vehicle, etc.) in order to make the right choice, whether it be for a new or second-hand purchase or a leasing operation. Here are some pointers to help you.

When you are fired or there is the unexpected end of your contract or you stop your business activities because of bankruptcy or other reasons, what happens next? Do you have the right to claim unemployment benefits? What are the procedures? Before answering these questions, let’s start from the beginning.

Many people move to Luxembourg for work, and stay for love. If you are planning to get married in the Grand Duchy, be aware that you have to follow some rules and fill and file paperwork. And try to be patient: marriage can’t be done in a finger snap in this country.

Returning home is a key troublesome moment for a lot of expats. Adapting to former surroundings after having been away for a long time is sometimes a difficult experience.

As Luxembourg want to become a startup nation, more and more newcomers are poised to create their own businesses

Talking about money with young children is not always easy, as they have no real concept of it. Yet financial education is at the root of any attempt to develop children's autonomy. So what should you keep in mind when talking to your child about money?

If you're already a parent, you've probably experienced the following situation at one time or another: while browsing the aisles of a shop with your young child, they suddenly stop in front of a toy, beg you to buy the object of their desire and, when you refuse, throw a tantrum. No matter how many times you explain that the toy is too expensive, the child just cries and cries. Does that mean you have to give in to their desires? Certainly not. Teaching your child about money is possible and even desirable. How can we do it? Here are six ways to teach your child about the value of money.

Your maintenance costs are reduced, electrical energy is much cheaper than petrol or diesel, and you can benefit from State aid, possibly even a tax allowance. Not to mention loans at more favourable rates. Here are the main questions you should ask yourself after you have bought or are about to buy a green vehicle.

Whether in France, Belgium, or Germany, living on the border in one's own country when one works in Luxembourg has certain advantages. First of all, there are naturally financial advantages! With less expensive rents, purchasing power is greater and living costs are lower: Border countries offer certain advantages compared to Luxembourg.

As the long summer break approaches, it is more than time to plan your next vacation. But do you know your rights regarding your annual paid leave? Here is some useful information to avoid unpleasant surprise.

The answer depends on how long you intend to stay in Luxembourg. If you stay in the country for a short time – less than 5 years – renting is the best option. Owning your own home in Luxembourg is expensive.

As an EU national or a national of a country treated as such, you automatically have the right of permanent residence in Luxembourg if you have officially resided in the country for a continuous period of 5 years.

The advantage of living in Luxembourg is that you are next to three very different countries, multiplying your choice and your desires! So, how do you find your way around?

A lot of stereotypes are still circulating about the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Even the neighbouring countries of Belgium, France and Germany do not know the country. But what are the major beliefs people have about Luxembourg and to what extent they are true?

Summer is here and it can be a fantastic time of year for families around the world. With the kids off school, the focus quickly turns towards the annual summer break and the latest must-go holiday destination. But when you live abroad, the concept of holidays changes, often becomes a dilemma and sometimes turns into a… non-holiday!

Did you know that more than a third of the Grand Duchy is surrounded by vast open plains, towering mountains and parks which are home to dense forests? According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Statec), the Grand Duchy has the highest afforestation rate of the 4 countries in the Greater Region.

You have one or more children aged under 13 years old and you don’t know how to take care of them when you are at the office? Why not hosting a young au pair? It is a win-win situation.

Each year, when they move to the Grand Duchy to work, thousands of expatriates need to find somewhere to live and are confronted with the realities of renting accommodation. If you are in this situation, do not worry

As you probably know, legislative elections in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg are held every 5 years and allow to elect the 60 deputies who make up the Chamber of Deputies. Voting is compulsory for all voters registered on the electoral roll and only Luxembourg nationals over 18 years of age are allowed to vote

The ING Night Marathon Luxembourg is back! More than 16,000 runners, in all disciplines , are expected to take part in the 14th edition. Since it started in 2006, this annual sports event has been growing in popularity. Every year, it is sold out.

The Grand-Duchy is still an attractive place for medium and high-skilled workers from all over the world. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Statec), employment rose 3.9% between the second quarters 2017 and 2018.

Every year, it is the same story. The summer vacation has just begun and you don’t know how to occupy your children. What is the best for your kids and isn’t it too late to plan activities for them? Don’t panic and follow the guide!

You’ve decided to relocate in Luxembourg and you will probably want to drive. But can you drive with your original driving licence? If not, how to apply for a local driving licence? And what about the licence penalty points system? Find out the answers below…

Facilitating the transition to electromobility as much as possible is one of the Luxembourg government’s main goals. The first public charging stations for electric vehicles were installed in 2017. Since then, the network has grown and is now complemented by ultra-fast charging stations.

Immigration has always played a decisive role in the Grand Duchy’s economic development and and this trend is not going to stop. In 1961, the number of inhabitants in Luxembourg amounted to 314,900 people with a proportion of 13.2% of foreigners.

Did you know that the old age pension system in Luxembourg is one of the best in the world? According to the Global Age Watch Index 2015 published by HelpAge International, a global network of organisations promoting the right of all older people to lead dignified

Buu Huynh has been working in the Development & Patrimonial Team at ING since June 2019. One of his main missions is building and maintaining relationships with the expat community.