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Luxembourg Expat Health Insurance

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, as the country is officially known, is located on mainland Europe and it shares borders with France, Germany and Belgium. Luxembourg is one of Europe’s smallest countries and its population is estimated at 512,000 people. The last remaining sovereign Grand Duchy in the world, Luxembourg has a representative democracy with a grand duke as constitutional monarch. With three official languages – Luxembourgish, French and German, Luxembourg has in cultural terms been heavily influenced by Germanic customs and traditions. Luxembourg has a strong and well developed economy and according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it has the world’s highest GDP per capita. The economy is centered on moderate annual growth, low unemployment and low inflation levels with banking services and other financial exports accounting for the majority of economic output.

Luxembourg Health Care and Insurance

Citizens and residents of Luxembourg have access to a modern and well maintained health care system. Health standards in the country are good and the Ministry of Health and Ministry for Social Security jointly oversee the provision of health care services. National health insurance is compulsory for all citizens and this entitles participants to a specific range of treatments and services. Financial reforms during the 1990s have ensured a reliable source of funding which has enabled the health system to progress and develop in tandem with Luxembourg’s economic and social advances. Non-nationals who wish to travel to Luxembourg and seek employment are not entitled to access the national health insurance scheme and must be in possession of valid private health insurance before they will be granted permission to enter the country. Expatriates relocating to Luxembourg can apply to join the health insurance scheme once their application for residency has been approved. The residency application processing time can be lengthy so to ensure expatriates and their family members are sufficiently covered, they are advised to purchase an international Luxembourg health insurance plan.

The Union of Sickness Insurance Funds, along with the Caisse de Maladi oversees the provision of health care services and the collection and distribution of health insurance funds. Employers and employees make contributions deducted from salary with each employee paying on average five percent of gross annual income. The self-employed are required to pay a specific amount which is dependant on the individual’s profession and their total annual salary. Family members and dependants are also covered by the scheme. The scheme is structured in such a way that all treatments and services at public health facilities must be paid for in cash at the time of treatment. Receipts are then issued which are used by the patient for reimbursement. The level of reimbursement can vary but is generally within the 80 to 100 percent range. With regard to prescriptions and medicines, there are four categories and depending on the drugs and medicines in question, reimbursement can range from 0 to 100 percent.

There are three categories of health care in Luxembourg, namely primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary level care consists of local physicians, general practitioners (GPs) and specialists and the majority of treatments provided at the primary level are covered by the state health insurance scheme. Secondary and tertiary health services are provided by the country’s hospital network. Referrals from a GP or local doctor are required to gain admittance to a hospital although a referral is not required in the case of emergency medical treatment. There are no private sector hospitals in Luxembourg meaning that public and private health care providers work side by side at state run facilities. Private health insurance options are available in Luxembourg and citizens generally purchase private health insurance to broaden the range of services and treatments available to them. Non-nationals and expatriates wishing to avail of the full range of medical services available are advised to purchase international Luxembourg health insurance.

Luxembourg Travel Insurance Concerns

The provision of state run universal health care coverage for all citizens is, in theory, a fantastic idea. For those who are resident in Luxembourg the reality can be somewhat different. Doctors, specialists and GPs operate a walk-in service meaning that in many cases making a prior appointment is not required. As a result, large numbers of individuals and families visit their local GP for everyday ailments and waiting times can be long. Even if an appointment has been made a waiting time should be expected.

Luxembourg has bilateral agreements in place with fellow European Union members so that European citizens in possession of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to seek emergency medical treatment on the same basis as a citizen of Luxembourg. The EHIC will cover once off treatment or consultations only. In the event further consultations or prolonged in-patient care is required, these additional treatments must be paid for in cash. It is therefore advisable for citizens of all nationality visiting or relocating to Luxembourg to ensure they purchase international Luxembourg health insurance.

Luxembourg Expat Health Insurance

Luxembourg’s medical facilities and hospital network are maintained to the highest standards and staffed by qualified personnel with the ability to speak German, French and English. In case of an accident or emergency, you can be confident that the health services available to you will be of European standard. Subsidized health care is available to citizens and permanent residents; expatriates and visitors will be required to pay in cash for any treatment received in Luxembourg. Expat health insurance that we work with can provide you extensive coverage and Global Health Insurance can assist you, free of charge, through the various health insurance policies that offer you adequate protection. For more information on Luxembourg expat health insurance or international health insurance plans please contact a Global Health Insurance advisor today.