Work and Travel in Luxembourg

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN LUXEMBOURG FOR TRAVELLERS

Luxembourg isn’t a traditional destination for someone who wants to work and travel. But there are opportunities in one of the smallest countries in the world. Travel in Luxembourg offers an experience that’s different. It proves a chance for you to backpack in a place few other travellers go.

Work and travel in Luxembourg gives you more than you initially might expect. Our travel guide to Luxembourg is going to show you the secrets of one of Europe’s least known countries.

1. Work in a Hostel in Luxembourg

Luxembourg does get a certain number of backpackers and school groups that come through every year. This is your chance to earn free accommodation and, sometimes, free food by working in a hostel. The work in Luxembourg’s hostels is usually limited to cleaning and reception work.

If you speak additional languages, you’ll find these jobs relatively easy to come by. Most of these volunteering opportunities in Luxembourg centre on the capital of Luxembourg City.

2. Stay on a Farm in Luxembourg

The majority of people who travel in Luxembourg don’t go beyond the boundaries of Luxembourg City. But there are areas outside of Luxembourg City that you can explore. Tourists don’t go there and you’ll get to see another part of Luxembourg.

Farm stays are hard work, but it’s your chance to meet real locals and get a feel for how the country is really like. As well as work, it’s about cultural exchange.

3. Teach English in Luxembourg

The main languages of Luxembourg are French, German, and Luxembourgish. There’s a big appetite for learning English here, though. If you want to teach English in Luxembourg you’ll find plenty of work with young people and businesspeople.

Since this is Western Europe, you should have at least a TEFL qualification. Native English speakers can find work without qualifications, but usually only on a private basis or on temporary projects.

English teaching may even be combined with homestays.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg was one of the founding members of what is today the European Union (EU). For more info click here. They’re a strong member of the Schengen Zone, therefore you don’t need to worry about borders. However, you need to possess the correct visa to enter the zone.

Citizens of the UK (until Brexit) and the European Union (EU) are able to stay and work in Luxembourg for as long as they like without any prior visa. For more info click here.

North Americans, Japanese citizens, South Koreans, Kiwis, and Australians can get a visa-on-arrival for the Schengen region. This lasts for a total of 90 days and you must leave the whole of the zone for 90 days before you can renew your visa.

South Africans and Russians can enter the zone under the same terms, but they must apply for a Schengen visa from an embassy of a European Union (EU) member in advance of travel.

Take note that the majority of backpackers will enter through the countries surrounding Luxembourg.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN LUXEMBOURG

SPRING WORK

Luxembourg’s spring time is like much of Europe in that it’s initially cold but quickly warms up. Spring is a great time of year to work on a farm. It’s the main planting season and you’ll find that farmers need plenty of extra help during these months.

Spring is also an ideal time to escape the cold of the early spring to work in an orphanage. Luxembourg’s network of orphanages are ethical, well-administered, and always welcome volunteers to help children with their homework and to keep them company.

SUMMER JOBS

The summer is arguably the best time of year to work and travel in Luxembourg. There are so many seasonal options. The main volunteering opportunities in Luxembourg in summer revolve around working in hostels. You’ll be able to enjoy meeting both locals and travellers alike.

It also allows you to easily explore Luxembourg City without worrying about cost. In the summer there are even some seasonal hostels in the countryside that open their doors.

Another option in the summer is to work as part of a summer camp. Groups from across Europe converge on the rural areas of Luxembourg for summer camps. They may even have a theme, such as learning English, sports, and arts and crafts.

AUTUMN

The autumn season is another great time of year to work on a farm. It’s the harvest season and the workload of farmers increases exponentially. If you want to enjoy a cultural exchange and meet real Luxembourgian people, this is the time of year to work in Luxembourg.

This is also start of the new school year. September is when the majority of schoolchildren start their studies. There’s a big demand for English teachers. Those with qualifications and prior experience can find work in private schools across the country.

It’s also when parents may decide to hire private tutors to help their children. If you’re available in autumn, you’ll find lots of English teaching work.

WINTER

Winter is the worst time of year to work and travel in Luxembourg because it becomes bitterly cold and it can be difficult to find backpacking jobs within the country.

Certain sectors do have work in the winter, such as working in orphanages and in the field of teaching English, but a lot of roles simply aren’t available.

If you want to help the less fortunate, you may want to consider working with charities that support the homeless. Winter is an extremely vulnerable time for the homeless and charities work double time to make sure that they’re fed, clothed, and warmed.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg is about as European as countries come. There’s a lot of support for openness and inclusiveness. This culture filters down to travellers who visit the country. Local people are extremely warm and friendly, but they never encroach upon boundaries in their curiosity, like in some parts of the world.

You’ll find working in Luxembourg easy and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll experience hostility here.

Do you want to work and travel in Luxembourg this year?