Luxembourg Health Insurance

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg boasts the world’s highest nominal GDP per capita at USD 108,831. Luxembourg has a modern service based economy which has thrived in the aftermath of World War II; the country’s inflation and unemployment rates are among the lowest in Europe. The tiny landlocked country shares a border with Belgium, France and Germany. While Luxembourg’s banking sector has been subject to criticism due to its secrecy laws, it is still regarded as a global financial capital and home of several institutions of the European Union, particularly those dealing with financial services. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Luxembourg fourth globally in its Quality of Life Index.

As to be expected from a wealthy country, health indicators in Luxembourg are high. Life expectancy at birth for men is 78 years, and 83 years for women. Luxembourg spends about 7.8 percent of GDP on health care, or USD 6,526 annually per capita. About three quarters of health care expenditure comes from government sources. Until the late 1990s, there was no private Luxembourg health insurance. Now private insurance makes up approximately one fifth of private health care spending.

Luxembourg Health Insurance and Health Care Indicators

Like in most advanced developed economies, the burden of communicable disease in Luxembourg is quite low relative to other causes of mortality. All Luxembourgers have access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, which is usually a prerequisite for lowered rates of disease. The World Health Organization calculates that 5 percent of total years of life lost in Luxembourg are due to communicable diseases. HIV infection rates, with three cases per 1,000 adults, are less than half of the global average. Tuberculosis infection rates are only about one sixth of the European norm. Non-communicable diseases associated with affluent societies are much more prevalent in Luxembourg. More than one fifth of Luxembourgers are obese and this rate is increasing. More than one third of Luxembourgers regularly smoke or use tobacco products.

Luxembourg’s health care workforce is well-staffed. There are 28.6 doctors and 113.2 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, including well-trained specialists across all disciplines. Luxembourg’s medical facilities are among the best in the world, and the WHO maintains a Collaborating Centre in Luxembourg, dedicated to research on measles. The country’s generous state-run health care system covers basic care, as well as dental care, hospital stays, lab testing, visual aids, and even travel and transport expenses (excluding repatriation).

A referral is not required to see a specialist in Luxembourg, although patients with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should present this upon receiving treatment. Hospital treatment in state-run hospitals is free of charge, but there is a non-refundable daily fee of EUR 12 for patients staying overnight. Although the state run system is quite comprehensive, Luxembourg health insurance can fill in some of the gaps in coverage, including medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as shorter waiting periods for surgery and higher levels of terminal care.

Luxembourg Health Insurance and Health Risks for Tourists and Expatriates

Luxembourg’s reputation as a hub for international business is well deserved, and thousands of business travelers and expatriates visit every year. Often overlooked as a tourist destination, the capital city of Luxembourg offers cultural delights rarely seen in a city so small, and the Oesling region in the north which links to the Ardennes in Belgium offers bountiful natural splendor. However, even in destination as safe as Luxembourg, there are health risks for travelers. The US-based Centre for Disease Control strongly recommends updating routine immunizations before visiting Luxembourg, including those against hepatitis, and for those planning on spelunking or visiting areas with bats – rabies jabs. Tickborne encephalitis is fairly common for hikers in the Oesling in the summer months, and measles outbreaks have been reported.

More common medical issues are those of a more commonplace variety. Travelers everywhere suffer from diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Even though tap water is considered safe to drink, those visiting from abroad may not be accustomed to the local water. Also, avoid raw or undercooked foods. Over the counter medication is usually sufficient to treat acute cases, but persistent symptoms will require a visit to a physician. Also, traffic accidents can be a problem for those not accustomed to local roads. Remember that Luxembourgish traffic drives on the right, and obey all local rules of the road. In the state-run system, Luxembourg health insurance and health care will cover most of the costs of treatment, but for overseas visitors and tourists, an international health care plan is strongly recommended.

Luxembourg Health Insurance & International Health Care Plans

Should the unthinkable happen to you or your family, you will probably want to be repatriated to your home country to be close to loved ones and be treated by a doctor who knows you well. Or should you need to stay in Luxembourg for treatment, you may wish for a private hospital room or other types of specialist care. While Luxembourg’s health care is second to none, expatriates and tourists often have special requirements which demand an international health insurance plan.

However, with myriad international health insurance plans on the market today, choosing the best one for you, your family, your tour group or your company can be a daunting task. Fortunately, the experienced team of advisors at Expat Medical Insurance are here to ensure that in Luxembourg, health insurance is nothing to worry about. With a range of plans on offer, some of which cover alternative care and repatriation, Expat Medical Insurance will make sure you get the plan that’s right for you. Our representatives are available 24 hours per day. Contact Expat Medical Insurance for further information.