Luxembourg, a small but affluent European nation, boasts a highly efficient and accessible healthcare system. Whether you’re a new resident or considering a move, understanding how healthcare works here is crucial. This guide will walk you through the essentials of the Grand Duchy’s medical landscape.
A System Built on Solidarity the Luxembourgish healthcare system operates on a principle of solidarity, meaning it’s primarily funded through mandatory contributions from both employees and employers. This ensures that everyone has access to quality medical care, regardless of their income. The Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS), or National Health Fund, is the central institution managing health insurance and reimbursements.
Who is all legal residents of Luxembourg are covered by the compulsory health insurance scheme. This includes:
Employees: Both private and public sector workers.
Self-employed individuals.
Pensioners.
Dependents: Spouses and children are typically covered under the primary insured person’s policy.
Upon starting employment or residency, you will be registered with the CNS and receive a social security card, often referred to as a “carte de sécurité sociale” or “carte vitale” (though the latter is a French term, it’s commonly understood). This card is essential for all medical interactions.
Accessing Medical Care: Doctors and Specialists
General Practitioners (GPs): Your first point of contact for most health concerns will be a GP (médecin généraliste). You are free to choose any GP; there’s no need to formally register with one. Appointments are usually made directly with the doctor’s office, either by phone or increasingly online.
Specialists: To see a specialist (e.g., a dermatologist, cardiologist, or ophthalmologist), you generally do not need a referral from a GP, though it can be helpful for continuity of care. You can book an appointment directly. However, for certain services or for full reimbursement, a GP’s referral might be beneficial.
Home Visits and Emergency Doctors: For urgent but non-life-threatening situations outside of regular office hours, you can contact the “Médecins de Garde” service, which provides on-call doctors and potentially home visits.
Hospitals and Emergencies
Luxembourg has several modern hospitals equipped with excellent facilities. In case of a medical emergency, you can go directly to the emergency department of any hospital. For life-threatening situations, call 112, the European emergency number, for an ambulance.
Some of the main hospitals include:
Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL): The largest public hospital group.
Hôpitaux Robert Schuman (HRS): Another major hospital group.
Clinique Privée Dr. Bohler: A private hospital, part of HRS, often chosen for maternity care.
Prescriptions and Pharmacies
Doctors will provide you with a prescription (ordonnance) for any necessary medications. You can take this prescription to any pharmacy (pharmacie) in Luxembourg. Pharmacists are highly trained and can also offer advice on minor ailments and over-the-counter medications. Many pharmacies operate on a rotating “on-call” system (pharmacie de garde) for after-hours needs, which you can usually find listed on pharmacy doors or local news sites.
