Your business moves to Luxembourg. What about your family?

In 2024, after 20 years helping innovative Korean companies expand into Europe as head of the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office (LTIO) in Seoul, Younhee Kim did what the businesses she advises do: she packed her family and moved to Luxembourg. Today, as Senior Advisor – International Business Relations at Luxinnovation, she gives founders the same advice she once gave herself.

“For Asian investors relocating to Luxembourg with their families, education is the top consideration,” she says. Giving your children good conditions to study in a country with three official languages (Luxembourgish, German and French) might seem close to impossible – but the reality is more reassuring than you'd expect.

International schools for international families 

Luxembourg is the most international country in the EU, with 47% of the population made up of foreign nationals. This is reflected in the education system.

Trilingual national education

If you want to place your children in the local school, they will study in Luxembourgish, German and French. English is taught as a foreign language. 

“I know many international families who send their kids to the local school,” says Younhee. “The national system has support in place for newcomers that help them catch up with the new languages.”

State-funded international curricula

State-run international schools are another option. They offer internationally recognised programmes taught in English, German or French, free of charge.

Private international schools

Private options include the European School, the International School of Luxembourg and the French Vauban – École et Lycée Français de Luxembourg.

Choosing the right school path for your child

Younhee’s own children go to a public, English-speaking international school. Her youngest son, who was 13 when he came to Luxembourg, was offered additional classes to learn German and French. Her oldest daughter, who was 17 when she came, could choose between doing an International Baccalaureate or A-levels, subject-based academic qualifications used in the British education system and widely recognised by universities internationally.

She chose A-levels, which allowed her to focus on a few subjects linked to the major she will study at university. “This gave her a good opportunity to deep-dive in her high school studies,” Younhee points out.

With so many foreigners living in the country, everybody is in the same boat. They quickly get close and make friends.
Younhee Kim, Luxinnovation

Asian executives often raise a specific concern: will their children keep up in maths and science — subjects where they have worked hard to excel? Younhee addresses it directly. “The teaching systems differ: in Asia, the initial emphasis is on memorising and applying formulas, but here, they teach pupils to think deeply and solve problems. In the end, they arrive at the same level of knowledge.”

She is also quick to point out that international students don’t feel isolated. “With so many foreigners living in the country, everybody is in the same boat. Many other children are also trying to adapt to a new environment. They quickly get close and make friends.”

Children have access to music education, and there are many opportunities to do sports. If you and your family like to hike or bike, nature is always easily accessible.

Your spouse doesn't have to put their career on hold

If your spouse wants to look for a job, they can start straight away. Luxembourg law grants family members of non-EU nationals holding a residence permit immediate access to the labour market – no separate work permit is required. If you are citizens of another EU country, you can work in Luxembourg without needing a work permit. A recently launched Spouse Programme managed by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce connects partners with training, career advisory services and professional networks.

Younhee also highlights the opportunities for a spouse who is not working to study languages in Luxembourg. The National Institute of Languages offers courses in a wide range of languages for a low price. “And when you study languages, you make friends.”

A safe and stable environment for families

Luxembourg is a very safe and resilient country. Crime rates are low, public finances are sound, and the political landscape is as stable as it gets in Europe. “I often hear international founders say how great it is that their children can go to school on their own by public transport,” says Younhee.

I often hear international founders say how great it is that their children can go to school on their own by public transport.
Younhee Kim, Luxinnovation

She points out that public transport is completely free of charge – Luxembourg is the only country where this is the case. Generous family allowances are another advantage.   

Luxembourg is where you meet the world

What Younhee likes most about Luxembourg is its international environment where friends, colleagues and neighbours come from many different countries. “I always say that it’s the beauty of Luxembourg.”

She advises founders and their families to look for an environment where they can feel at home. “I always recommend people to look for a community with which they have something in common such as a sports club, a church or a cultural association. There are several types of meet-up events for newcomers in Luxembourg. The Korean community has a badminton club, and I know that the Chinese often gather to play football.”

In Luxembourg, you meet the world.
Younhee Kim, Luxinnovation

If you just look at the geographical size of Luxembourg, you might worry about ending up in a small backwater with not much to do. Younhee is quick to refute that. “For me, it was more limiting to live in Korea where I mainly met my fellow nationals. In Luxembourg, you meet the world.”

A happy family boosts any entrepreneur's confidence. With multilingual education, immediate labour-market access for spouses and one of Europe's safest, most international environments, Luxembourg offers a practical and welcoming base for international families.