Which language should you learn first when moving to Luxembourg?

Moving to Luxembourg, you will hear Luxembourgish, French, German, English and Portuguese in a single day. Which should you learn first? It depends on what you need the language for — work, paperwork, your children's school, your neighbours or a Luxembourg passport. A decision guide based on what the census and the law actually say.

Updated November 2, 2026 · 4 min read

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The Grund quarter of Luxembourg City along the Alzette — Photo: Marcin Szala (Pudelek), CC BY-SA 3.0, resized.

In short: for work, French is the language used most (about 65% of people use it at work or school). For nationality, it is Luxembourgish — the Sproochentest is in Luxembourgish only. For daily life and neighbours, a little Luxembourgish goes a very long way. Many newcomers start both: French for the job, Luxembourgish for life.

Can you live in Luxembourg with only English?

Many people do, at least at first. In the 2021 census 25.7% of residents who answered said they usually speak English, most of them at work (STATEC). International companies, EU institutions and many shops work in English. But English has no official status: the administrative languages are French, German and Luxembourgish (1984 law), so letters from the commune, contracts, school notes and forms usually come in French or German. With English only, you will manage — and depend on others more than you'd like.

Ech versti keen Englesch.

Literally: I don't understand any English.

Meaning: Not everyone you meet speaks English. verstoen — to understand; *keen* — see negation.

Decide by your goal

Your goal	Learn first	Why
A job in Luxembourg	French (+ the basics of Luxembourgish)	French is used at work by about 65% of residents who answered the census; Luxembourgish by 57%
A public-sector job	Luxembourgish, French and German	The State's posts ask for the three administrative languages to a certain level — some, in contact with citizens, at a very high level (govjobs.lu)
Luxembourg nationality	Luxembourgish	Spoken A2 and listening B1 at the Sproochentest, required for most applicants
Healthcare, care, crèche, shops	Luxembourgish and French	Patients, children and customers speak both — see at the doctor
Your children's school	Luxembourgish (+ German and French later)	Luxembourgish is the language around them; ask the school which languages it teaches in
Neighbours and friends	Luxembourgish	It is the main language of 48.9% of residents and usually spoken by 61.2%

French or German first?

If you speak neither, French is usually more useful sooner: it is the most-used language at work, in many shops and in the administration's letters. German helps in a different way: Luxembourgish grammar and most of its words are close to German, and newspapers are often in German. If your goal is Luxembourgish itself, you don't need either first — start Luxembourgish directly; knowing French will hand you hundreds of loanwords (*Vëlo, Kaddo, Trottoir*), knowing German the grammar.

Meng Schwëster schwätzt perfekt Englesch.

Literally: My sister speaks perfect English.

Meaning: schwätzen is the verb for which languages you speak.

Why learn some Luxembourgish anyway

It is the language of the country. The national language since 1984 and, since 2023, named in the Constitution — see is Luxembourgish a language or a dialect?
People notice. A *Moien* and a *Merci* change how a conversation goes — start with hello, thank you and nice to meet you.
Your employer may pay for it. Employees can take up to 200 hours of paid language leave for Luxembourgish courses (Guichet.lu) — details in free ways to learn Luxembourgish.
It is easier than its reputation. See is Luxembourgish hard to learn?

Seng Famill ass viru gutt 40 Joer an eist Land komm.

Literally: His family came to our country a good 40 years ago.

A first plan for newcomers

Week 1–4: the everyday phrases — please, excuse me, how are you, yes and no, numbers — and 32 greetings.
Month 2–3: the words of your life — home, food, transport, work, office and admin — and the verbs sinn, hunn, goen, kommen, wunnen, schaffen.
From month 3: a course (INL, your commune, or language leave) and one conversation a week with a native speaker. On Edluxio you book 1-to-1 online lessons with independent teachers in many fields — for Luxembourgish, among them native speakers in Luxembourg; a trial lesson is refunded in full if the first one isn't right for you.
If you want nationality: the 60-day Sproochentest plan.

Learn Luxembourgish and French side by side

16Word teaches Luxembourgish, French and German — 16 words and sentences at a time, with native audio and a Blocks game between answers. Free to start.

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Questions about which language to learn

Which language should I learn first in Luxembourg?

For work, usually French; for nationality, neighbours and daily life, Luxembourgish. Many newcomers learn French for the job and the basics of Luxembourgish from the start.

Can you live in Luxembourg with English only?

Many people do at first, especially in international jobs. But English has no official status: official letters, forms and school notes usually come in French or German.

Should I learn French or German before Luxembourgish?

You don't have to. French gives you many Luxembourgish loanwords and is more useful at work; German gives you most of the grammar. You can start Luxembourgish directly.

Do I need Luxembourgish to work in Luxembourg?

For most private-sector jobs, no — French and English are more common at work. Public-sector posts ask for Luxembourgish, French and German to a certain level, and many customer-facing jobs value Luxembourgish.

Do I need Luxembourgish for Luxembourg nationality?

Yes, for most applicants: the Sproochentest checks spoken Luxembourgish at A2 and listening at B1. Some routes are exempt.