With few part-time jobs and strict sick leave limits, Luxembourg's working parents face a childcare system that often feels inflexible and unforgiving.

Childcare remains a key challenge for expat families in Luxembourg. Despite the country’s high standard of living, many parents – especially those without nearby family support – find the system expensive and inflexible, with securing a spot in a public crèche often feeling out of reach. 
From long hours to limited sick leave, these difficulties are further intensified by steep costs, a lack of work-life balance, and few flexible working options. Here’s a closer look at the major struggles faced by families in Luxembourg.

Long hours in crèche and financial strain

Parents report that their children often spend 10 to 12 hours in crèche each day, which strains their work-life balance and family connections. For many, these extended hours are a result of Luxembourg’s demanding work culture, compounded by transport issues. The financial burden of private childcare further exacerbates the situation, with some families dedicating up to 20% of their income to daycare. The high cost of childcare forces some parents to reduce their working hours, but the lack of part-time opportunities in Luxembourg makes this a difficult choice, often leading to longer hours in daycare, which they would prefer to avoid.

Limited sick leave and parental leave

Expat families express frustration with Luxembourg’s leave system. Parents are limited to 12 days of sick leave for children under four, which they often find insufficient when their children fall ill. This forces parents to either take unpaid leave or juggle work with caring for a sick child. Although some have the option to work from home, this disrupts their ability to care for their children and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Similarly, the short duration of parental leave means many parents must take it consecutively, increasing the reliance on full-time daycare and placing financial strain on families due to the high cost of private childcare. One reader suggested Luxembourg adopt the approach used by many Eastern European countries. However, it’s important to note that while the duration may be longer, only a portion of this time is typically paid.

Lack of workplace flexibility

The lack of workplace flexibility is a significant concern, particularly for expats without family support in Luxembourg. Limited sick leave and the difficulty in securing a paediatrician's appointment add to the pressure. Parents often find it challenging to balance work commitments with childcare needs, especially when care options during school lunch hours or after-school are limited.

If families choose for one parent to work part-time to manage childcare, they often face a new challenge: the limited availability of part-time jobs. Whether it's the need for a second income or the desire of the primary caregiver to pursue something alongside raising a family, many are left with little choice but to either remain in full-time roles or forgo a career altogether.

Struggles with school hours and care availability

For some parents, the lack of available care during school lunch hours presents a significant challenge. While their work schedules meet the requirements for a maison relais (after-school care), they are often turned away due to full capacity, leaving parents with limited options. In some cases, parents are forced to reduce their work hours or pay for expensive private childcare. One parent told us they had to reduce work hours to pick up their child during lunch break, unable to secure a spot in their local maison relais or canteen. A private crèche was not an option due to high costs and limited need for them.

Crèche availability and inequality

Securing a place in a public crèche remains a major challenge. Families unable to get a spot in a public crèche are forced to turn to expensive private options, dedicating up to 20% of their income to childcare. Parents feel the system is unfair, as some unemployed families receive public childcare places while employed parents struggle to access care.

Language and integration barriers

Expat parents in Luxembourg often face challenges integrating into the local job market. If only one parent is employed, securing childcare for their child can become more difficult. While the unemployed parent could use this time to learn a new language, seek employment, or integrate, the need to care for the child often leaves them with little opportunity to focus on these goals.

A desperate situation for some

One particularly difficult case highlights the challenges faced by cross-border families. A mother living in France, working in Luxembourg, is dealing with a divorce and a deported husband. With no legal aid available and no sick leave left, she has no choice but to send her children to school while continuing to work without the flexibility to telecommute. Despite wanting to reduce her working hours to care for her children, financial pressures prevent her from doing so. Often she has no other choice than to send her children sick to school because her boss doesn't allow her to work from home.

These testimonials underscore the need for improvements in childcare, with expat families – who often lack support from extended relatives – facing the greatest challenges. There is a clear demand for better workplace flexibility, more affordable childcare options, and increased support for part-time workers to help families balance work and personal life.

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