Beyond its reputation for financial services and high-tech industries, Luxembourg's economic strength relies heavily on a sector often overlooked: unskilled jobs. These positions form the foundation of various industries, ensuring the smooth functioning of daily operations. From logistics and construction to hospitality and facilities management, unskilled workers play a critical role in keeping Luxembourg's economy humming.
Luxembourg as destination for non-EU job seekers
An initially agriculture based country, Luxembourg evolved to be one of the most advanced, not to mention wealthiest, countries in Europe and in the world. Part of this success is the fact that Luxembourg welcomes foreigners, for both skilled and unskilled labor.
Starting off
EU citizens do not have to obtain an additional work visa to be employed in Luxembourg. This article will discuss the options available to workers from third countries, applicants from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries.
Unskilled jobs with visa sponsorship in Luxembourg quickly became very popular among foreigners, especially non-EU citizens. But what do Luxembourg jobs without experience really offer and what makes them quite attractive?
💰 Strong economy
Luxembourg is a very attractive destination for businesses and workers from all over the world due to its massive range of industries andfavorable tax regime.
🌏 Multilingual society
Luxembourg having3 official languages, Luxembourgish, French, and German, and it creates a welcoming environment for foreigners. To note here that English is also widely spoken, especially in the business world. This linguistic diversity opens up opportunities for individuals from various language backgrounds.
✨ High quality of life
Luxembourg is continuously placed among the countries with the highest living standards globally. It offers excellent healthcare, education, and public services. Those benefits are offering a great quality of life.
🛸 Welcoming foreign workforce
Luxembourg is known for actively looking for foreign workers to fill gaps in its labor market, as it is a rather small country. There is a great openness to foreign talent, which attracts skilled and unskilled workers from all over the world, not just Europe, making Luxembourg a very competitive place professionally.
Popular professions for unskilled workers
Many job seekers in Luxembourg find success in unskilled positions. These roles can be a great way to enter the workforce or gain experience in a new field. Here's a list of some of the most common unskilled jobs available to start with.
Sales
Working as a cashier, shelf stoker, or sales associate in supermarkets, convenience stores, or retail outlets.
Cleaning
Cleaning offices, homes, or public spaces, such as schools or hotels, also general janitorial services and facility maintenance.
Hospitality
Roles like dishwasher, waiter/waitress, or kitchen helper in restaurants, hotels, and cafes.
Construction
Jobs on construction sites like laborers, general helpers, or landscapers.
Factory and warehouse
Entry-level positions in manufacturing or warehouses, such as packing, sorting, or assembly line work.
Agriculture
Seasonal work on farms, including harvesting and planting crops.
Domestic help
Working as a nanny, caregiver, or housekeeper in private homes.
Delivery
Jobs involving the delivery of goods or packages, such as couriers or delivery drivers.
Show all
The demand for caregivers and nannies has seen a significant rise, especially for English-speaking expats. Photo by Paul Hanaoka for Unsplash.
Latest available statistics in 2024
In 2022 EU countries hadissued3.7 million primary residence permits. For42% of all expats, work remains the main reason for obtaining the documents. Luxembourg had issued 9,245 residence permits, with34% of them being for employment reasons.
What is visa sponsorship in Luxembourg
While the country prioritizes filling open positions with local residents through governmental employment agency ADEM, there are situations where employers can sponsor work visas for unskilled workers from outside the EU/EEA. This sponsorship is particularly helpful when there's a proven lack of qualified local candidates for specific unskilled roles.
This method has several advantages:
Reduced probability of visa refusal due to the fact that it is requested by an employer registered in the Grand Duchy;
The employer covers the cost of the visa application and sometimes even the employee's relocation costs;
Sometimes, depending on the size of the company and its resources, the employer assists in the collection of the necessary documents and provides advice on the process.
Permit still needed
Non-EU citizens with a job offer in Luxembourg can apply for a work visa or work permit, allowing them to work and live here for a longer term.
How to proceed with a visa application
Before entering the country, you must request the temporary authorisation to stay through a Luxembourg consular mission in your country or by post to the Immigration Directorate in Luxembourg. The documents you may need to apply for the temporary authorisation will vary by the case you are applying with, but for the job-related entries it will contain usual set of papers.
Temporary authorisation to stay application documents
Collect the documents to proceed
Check, which documents you need for your application to the Ministry of Foreign Affair in Luxembourg.
*
The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks
.
Copy of valid passport
Make copies of all pages of your international passport
Application form
Submit dully filled application form for a temporary authorisation to stay
Criminal record certificate
Recent criminal record certificate from the country of residence, issued less than 3 months ago
Employment contract
Must be signed and dully processed according to the laws of the Grand Duchy
Applicant's CV
Curriculum vitae with all the necessary details on the worker
Certificate from ADEM
Original certificate that allows employer to hire a person from third-country
Collect the documents to proceed
Check, which documents you need for your application to the Ministry of Foreign Affair in Luxembourg.
*
The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks
.
Downloadable forms
DOC
Authorisation to stay for salaried workers - Application form
FR
Authorisation to stay for salaried workers - Application form
Download
Translation of documents
Only the documents required to move to Luxembourg need to be translated in your country of origin. A notarized translation is usually sufficient.
After you are granted the permission to stay, you will receive a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing you about their decision on your case. Then, you apply for a long-term visa to enter the country. To apply for a visa D, you will need to provide the following documents and pay the issuing fee depending on your personal case:
Two 3.5 x 4.5 cm color photos,
Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiration date of the requested visa,
Letter of approval of the temporary residence permit,
Copy of internal passport,
Application form for the Schengen visa.
How much can an unskilled worker earn in Luxembourg
While Luxembourg is known for its high living standards, it's crucial to understand the compensation offered for unskilled jobs. We have already covered salaries for professions in demand, as well as how much doctors make, for instance.
Minimum wage for unskilled in Luxembourg
In 2024, the current monthly social wage for an unskilled worker on a full-time job of 40 hours per week, is set at 2,570.93 euros in Luxembourg.
The table below provides an overview of salary ranges for various unskilled positions across different sectors in Luxembourg according to the Paylab. It's important to remember that these figures are estimates and can fluctuate based on several factors. These include the specific job title, its location within Luxembourg (wages tend to be higher in the capital), company requirements, and the individual's qualifications and experience.
Salaries for unskilled workers in 2024
| Sector for unskilled work | Role of the worker | Minimum monthly wage in 2024 |
| Sales | Cashier | 2,744 euros |
| Cleaning | Janitor | 2,715 euros |
| Construction | Crew worker | 2,644 euros |
| Logistics | Warehouseman | 2,353 euros |
| Transport | Lorry driver | 3,028 euros |
| Domestic help | Housekeeper | 2,562 euros |
| Production | Packer | 2,752 euros |
| Social | Caregiver | 2,698 euros |
| Service | Gardener | 1,913 euros |
| Metallurgy | Miner | 2,888 euros |
Cost of life to balance
Luxembourg has a high cost of living, so it's important to consider living expenseswhen evaluating potential job opportunities and salaries.
How to get a job as unskilled worker in Luxembourg
Here is a short guide on how to search for jobs, prepare for interviews, and secure visa sponsorships.Getting a job as an unskilled worker in Luxembourg involves several steps and of course the whole process takes time so don’t get discouraged easily. Make sure to get informed on the latest updates, ideally from official Luxembourgish sources, such as government or employer websites. Follow us in Telegram to receive latest news.
Being patient is very important but also blending with the locals and networking can give you a new job when the least expected. For that, of course, you need to be present, let's see what can be done.
Check your eligibility and prepare
First of all, make sure you have the legal right to work in Luxembourg or notify your potential employer on your wish to get the needed documents. If you're a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need a work permit or long-term visa with employment rights to begin the process of job landing in the country.
If you have not arrived to Luxembourg yet, make sure to send your job applications (there might be some work and waiting involved) with the required documents and check your options for entering the country and landing a job. Well, if you are EU citizen, you can come and look for unskilled jobs without visa.
Want to move to Luxembourg as a worker?
Take a look at our dedicated employment and work section in the Blog. Here are some of our favourite articles for you to start with:
How to write a cover letter when applying for a job in Luxembourg
How to pass an interview for a Luxembourgish job position
Work visa in Luxembourg for several categories of workers
Start the job search
Unlike skilled positions that often require specific training or experience, unskilled jobs in Luxembourg offer an opportunity to develop new skills on the job. While directly relevant past experience might not be essential, it can still be a valuable asset. A history of work demonstrates a strong work ethic, reliability, and the ability to adapt to new environments – all qualities highly prized by employers. For unskilled roles, your job search strategy might benefit from emphasising transferable skills that are valuable across different industries.
These skills might include
Strong teamwork ethics
Communication skills
Readiness for challenges
Ability to learn quickly
How to look for jobs in Luxembourg?
Starting the job search with internet and social media is the best way to weight your opportunities and get in touch with the labor market expectations. You can start your research of available jobs for unskilled workers in Luxembourg
Through social media and messengers - on LinkedIn, Facebook and others,
With specialised job sites -relocate.me,GovJobs,Glassdoorand others,
Through the local employment agencyADEM, where you can find vacancies in the Grand Duchy,
With the help of friends and networking at job fairs and events.
Explore specific industries, like HORECA, logistics, production and more, and get the inside scoop on available jobs and companies hiring, skills and documents needed, and salary ranges in our dedicated articles.
Working in HORECA
- Read the full article
Working at the factory
- Read the full article
Social work jobs in Luxembourg
- Read the full article
Working in logistics
- Read the full article
Caregiver jobs in Luxembourg
- Read the full article
Working as a driver
- Read the full article
Working in construction
- Read the full article
Remote jobs in and out of Luxembourg
- Read the full article
Working as a waiter
- Read the full article
Apply to work in Luxembourg
First, create a well-structured resume highlighting any relevant experience and skills. We have a detailed article to help you out with examples and local specifics for Europe and Luxembourg.
To make sure you are well-presented, write an application-basedcover letter for each entry, expressing your interest and motivation for the specific job and company. Introduce and present yourself properly, underlining your motivation.
Submit your job applications through the employer's website or job portal. Keep in mind, that you can add your links to the social media profiles, which will allow the employer to take a look at you a bit closer - therefore it's very important to keep a detailed and updated LinkedIn profile, as it will help with networking as well. LinkedIn is particularly popular in Luxembourg, we even have a page with labour market updates and fresh vacancies there.
After the interview, you will face the next stages of the employment process. The interview and follow-up meetings and phone calls are the usual essentials.
Check other requirements
Remember that Luxembourg is a multilingual country: the official national languages are French, German and Luxembourgish. Proficiency in any of those languages, can improve your job prospects significantly. Make sure to submit your langage certificates, if you have them.
You should also make sure that you have your own health insurance, which may be provided by your employer. Make sure you are covered if planning to work in harsh or difficult environments, such as construction, trucking, or factory work.
Social security
If you are legally employed in Luxembourg, you will pay contributions to the social security system and will therefore be entitled to public health insurance.
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