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Luxembourg Country Information
It is easy to overlook
the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a tiny little country dwarfed between
its neighbours France, Germany and Belgium,
when planning a tour of Europe. If it is thought of at all, it is
probably as a rather unexciting place full of important banking institutions
and European Union bureaucrats. This little country is, however,
located at the crossroads of several major highways, and if you are
going to travel through it, don't hesitate to stop awhile and probe
behind the glass office blocks and official buildings to find a land
of fascinating medieval fortresses, rolling woodlands, sun-drenched
castles, and quaint villages.
Luxembourg's long history is concerned mainly with warding off and
withstanding invasion, occupation and siege, which is perhaps why
its people seem a little more conservative than their neighbours,
with a national motto that reads: 'We want to remain what we are'.
However Luxembourgers do enjoy their traditional parades and processions,
and there are some jolly bars and cafes in the city where beer flows
with good cheer.
The Basics
Time: Local
time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the
Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are used.
Money: The currency in Luxembourg is the Euro (EUR), which is divided
into 100 cents. Foreign currency and travellers cheques can be exchanged
at all Luxembourg banks and bureaux de change, as well as the airport
and post office Major hotels will also exchange cheques and currency,
though rates are high. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Language: The
official language in Luxembourg is Letzeburgesch, a conglomerate
German/French dialect. French and German are commonly used, and
English is widely spoken.
Travel
Health: No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Luxembourg,
and there are no health risks associated with travel to the country.
British citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card
(EHIC), in order to qualify for free emergency medical treatment.
Medical insurance is recommended.
Tipping: Hotel
and restaurant bills generally include a service charge in Luxembourg.
Porters
and doormen in smarter hotels appreciate
a tip of €1 to €2 and taxi drivers expect a tip of around
10%.
Safety
Information: Travel to and around Luxembourg is very safe
and trouble free. Take normal precautions against pick-pockets and
petty theft.
Business: Business in Luxembourg is usually conducted in French,
though some German and English is also used. Translators are readily
available, but some effort at speaking French will be appreciated.
Business tends to be conducted formally, beginning with a handshake
and an exchange of business cards. Punctuality is essential. Dress
is formal, with a suit and tie the norm. Surnames and titles are
usually used. Luxembourgers are polite and cautious, and it is important
to build personal relationships. Business hours are usually 8.30am
to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, often closing for an hour at lunch.
Communications: The country code for Luxembourg is +352. The outgoing
code is 00, which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. The
country is amply covered by GSM mobile phone networks and there are
several Internet cafes in Luxembourg city.
Duty
Free: Travellers
over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay
duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or
50 cigars, or 250g tobacco, or a proportional mix of these; 1 litre
spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, or 2 litres dessert
wine not exceeding 22% and sparkling wine, and 2 litres table wine;
perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette. Other goods include beer,
gift items and souvenirs to the value of €175 per adult or €90
for children below 15 years. Providing goods are bought for personal
use, there are no restrictions on carrying tobacco and alcohol between
the 15 original countries of the EU (including the UK), with the
exception of Finland, Denmark and Sweden.
Visa and Entry
Information
- Entry
requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport.
No visa is required for a stay
of up to three months.
- Entry
requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders must have a valid
document. No visa is required for a stay of
up to three
months if holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, British
Overseas Territories Citizen, British Subject or British National
(Overseas).
In all other cases a visa is required.
- Entry
requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport. No visa
is required for a stay of up to three months.
- Entry
requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport. No visa
is required for a stay of up to
three
months.
- Entry
requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a valid passport
and a Schengen visa.
- Entry
requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport.
No visa is required for a
stay of up to three
months.
- Entry
requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a valid passport
but no visa is required.
Passport/Visa
Note: Passports must be valid for at least three
months after period of intended stay. It is recommended that
visitors have
return or onward tickets, documents required for next destination
and sufficient funds. The borderless region known as the Schengen
area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these
countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry
option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders
of all.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short
notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements
with their embassy or consulate.
Top of Page Weather and
Climate In Luxembourg
Nestling behind the barrier of the towering Ardennes mountains Luxembourg
is protected from the cold North Sea winds and therefore has a temperate
climate. Summers are mild and pleasant, and winters cool to cold.
Winter weather is more severe in the northern reaches of the country.
Luxembourg-Ville has a
mild continental climate which is marked by high precipitation
and warm weather from May to September while
snow is unlikely during the winter months. The northern Ardennes
region tends to be wetter than the southern regions. May to October
is the best time to visit Luxembourg and particularly in July and
August where daily averages reach 75°F (24°C).
Attractions
in Luxembourg-Ville
- The
Fortress -
The mighty fortress started by Count Siegfried atop the Rock of Bock
in 963 eventually became a citadel with three girdles of battlements,
the inner one fortified with bastions, and the other two containing
a total of 24 forts along their length.
- Grand
Ducal Palace -
The city residence of the Grand Ducal family is right in the heart
of the old town, and is surprisingly unpretentious, recognisable
more by the fact that there are sentry boxes outside.
- The
National Museum for History and Art - This museum was recently substantially refurbished
and contains some
major archaeological finds from the Gallo-Roman period, which are
displayed in underground galleries.
- Grevenmacher -
The principal town of Luxembourg's Moselle wine growing region is
linked to the German bank of the river by a bridge. Grevenmacher
is an old town with narrow streets, the remains of medieval fortifications,
and a 13th-century Belfry. The town's claim to fame is the wine
cellars of Caves Bernard-Massard, whose sparkling wines are internationally
acclaimed.
Airports in
Luxembourg
Luxembourg-Findel International Airport (LUX)
- Location: The airport is located four miles (6km) east of Luxembourg city.
- Time: GMT
+1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last
Sunday in October).
- Contacts: Tel: +352 24 64 1. Flight Information: +352 4798 5050.
- Getting
to the city: Bus route 16 connects the airport to the city centre,
and there are taxis available at Arrivals.
- Car
rental: Car hire firms Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and
Thrifty are represented at the airport.
- Facilities: Airport facilities include a bank and bureau de change, a post
office, restaurants, a newsagent,
duty-free shop and bar
in the single airport terminal.
- Parking: Long and short term parking is available.
- Departure
Tax: None.
Top of
Page
Driving
Information
Drinking and driving:
If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or
more severe penalties include fines and / or prison. Young driver’s
blood alcohol
level is 0.019 per cent.
Driving licence:
Minimum age at which a UK licence holder may drive temporarily
imported car and / or motorcycle 18.
Fines:
On-the-spot. Unauthorised and dangerous parking can result in the
car
being impounded or removed.
Fuel:
Unleaded petrol (95 & 98 octane), diesel and LPG available.
It is forbidden to
carry petrol in a can. Credit cards accepted at filling stations,
check with your card
issuer for usage in Luxembourg before travel.
Driving
Distances:
Please click here http://www.viamichelin.com/ for
driving distances
Lights:
Sidelights required when parking where there isn’t any public
lighting.
When visibility is reduced to fewer than 100 metres due to fog, snow,
heavy rain
etc, dipped headlights must be used. It is compulsory to flash headlights
at night
when overtaking outside built-up areas. In tunnels indicated by a
sign, drivers
must use their passing lights.
Motorcycles:
Use of dipped headlights during the day compulsory. The wearing of
crash helmets is compulsory for both driver and passenger. Child
under 12 not
permitted as a passenger.
Motor Insurance:
Third-party compulsory.
Passengers / Children in cars:
Children under 3 years of age must be seated in an
approved restraint system. Children aged 3 to 18 years and / or under
1.5m must
be seated in an appropriate restraint system. If their weight is
over 36kg a seatbelt
can be used but only on the rear seat of the vehicle. rearward facing
child restraint
systems are prohibited on seats with frontal airbags unless the airbag
is disabled.
Seat belts:
Compulsory for front / rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted.
Speed limits:
Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private
vehicles without trailers: In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside
built-up areas
55 mph (90 km/h) and motorways 80 mph (130 km/h) (in case of rain or
snow 68
mph / 110 km/h), 43 mph (70 km/h) speed limit for vehicles with spiked
tyres.
Compulsory equipment:
-
Reflective
jacket - It is compulsory for the driver and passengers to wear
a
reflective waistcoat when exiting a vehicle in a breakdown situation
on a
motorway or outside built up areas, at night and in bad visibility.
- Warning
triangle - compulsory for all vehicles with 4 or more wheels.
- Tyres – All
tyres on a car must be of the same type: either Winter tyres
marked M&S on the sidewall or Summer tyres.
Other
rules / requirements:
The use of spiked tyres is permitted from the 1 December until
the 31 March.
Use of snow chains permitted.
Any vehicle immobilised on the motorway must use warning signals,
a warning
triangle and a flashing light at the rear.
In built up areas the use of the horn is prohibited except in case
of immediate
danger.
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