'Love led me to Luxembourg... twice'

"Creating a sense of community around you is so important – it's what keeps you grounded and supported through all the ups and downs of expat life," says Dr Paloma Schwarz – mother, entrepreneur, and founder of Little Sanctuary.

Schwarz lives in Niederanven with her husband and two daughters, aged three and six. Born in Cologne, Germany, and half Spanish, Paloma launched Little Sanctuary in 2024, a business supporting the holistic wellbeing of mothers – a response to needs she saw in her own life and the expat community.

What brought you to Luxembourg and how long have you been living here?

I first came to Luxembourg 18 years ago for love! I met my now-husband at Law School in Bonn – it was love at first sight – and he received a job offer from a law firm here. I transferred to the University of Trier to complete my law studies so we could be together.

Unfortunately, our time in Luxembourg was short-lived at first. The Ministry of Education didn't accredit my husband's German law degree, so he had to return to Trier to complete his legal apprenticeship. Still, we kept one foot in the country by working part-time with Luxembourg-based companies, and we always knew we wanted to come back.

Seven years later, we finally made the move back for good. We were drawn by Luxembourg's international atmosphere, quality of life, and how convenient everything is.
 
How did you find the experience of integrating as an expat in Luxembourg?
 
There's a big difference between commuting to Luxembourg and actually living here. During the years we worked for Luxembourg-based companies but lived across the border, I always felt disconnected from the local culture. That changed completely once we moved here and started building our lives within the community.

I've never faced language challenges since I speak all the official languages, but many families find it difficult to adjust, especially when raising children in a new language environment. That sense of isolation is particularly strong for mothers, and it was one of the main reasons I created Little Sanctuary.

Building deeper relationships with Luxembourgish people can be challenging – most have deep roots here, surrounded by friends and family they've known all their lives. But becoming a mother six years ago brought a real shift. Having children connects you more deeply to the country. We celebrate our own cultural traditions – Spanish, French, and German – but also embrace Luxembourgish customs like Liichtmëssdag.
 
I also value how Luxembourg has allowed me to reinvent myself. After working as a postdoctoral researcher in tax law, I was able to completely pivot and build something of my own.
 
Do you think Luxembourg is an attractive place to live for families? 

Absolutely. Luxembourg is excellent for families, especially where both parents work. The childcare system is reliable and gives parents peace of mind. Compared to Germany, where it's incredibly difficult for both parents to work full time, Luxembourg makes this balance much more achievable.

The education system offers impressive variety – from local public schools to international public schools (all free) to private options. That flexibility is rare and valuable for multicultural families like ours.

The country has rich cultural offerings for families – from events at the Rotondes or Philharmonie to thoughtfully designed playgrounds and extracurricular activities in many languages.

However, eating out as a family can be surprisingly difficult. Many restaurants are business-oriented, and children often feel unwelcome. Family-friendly dining options are limited. For expat families without close relatives nearby, things can feel isolating – especially during early parenthood. That's why I created Little Sanctuary. I'm also developing a program to help companies better support mother employees. When mothers feel balanced and supported, they bring more focus, creativity, and energy to their work.

What was your experience of finding somewhere to live? 

We've been incredibly lucky with housing – something I don't take for granted given how challenging the market can be. 
Our first home was in Limpertsberg. I was writing my PhD at the university when a colleague connected us with a very affordable rental opportunity. It felt like rare luck – so much so that we decided immediately to move back to Luxembourg.

During the pandemic, we had another stroke of luck with our current home in Niederanven. I found the house on Facebook Marketplace while we were stuck abroad during COVID, and we bought it without ever seeing it in person. It was a crazy leap of faith, but I believe there are moments when your gut just knows – it felt right, and we trusted that feeling.

What do you like about living in Luxembourg and what has been challenging? 

I love the international atmosphere – it's completely normal to switch between several languages throughout the day. That multilingualism reflects a beautiful openness and flexibility of mind that I deeply value.

The administration is surprisingly citizen friendly. Things that would take weeks elsewhere are handled quickly and efficiently. As a family, we've always felt supported through the childcare system, educational options, and cultural activities.

Luxembourg is incredibly well connected – living in the heart of Europe makes travel easy, and it's safe and peaceful for raising children. The infrastructure is excellent, free public transport is amazing, and the sports facilities are fantastic.

As an entrepreneur, I appreciate the business-friendly environment. Starting something new here feels possible. The main challenge has been being far from old friends and family. Building deep connections takes time when people already have established circles. Raising children without close relatives nearby can feel isolating – it's a challenge many expat families share.

As a small business owner, I've noticed networking and support tends to focus on larger companies or specific sectors. Access to funding or visibility can be limited for businesses like mine that focus on community care and wellbeing.

Another challenge has been finding like-minded people who value a more alternative or eco-conscious lifestyle. Luxembourg's environment is naturally business-oriented, which can make it harder to connect with others passionate about slower, more intentional living.

Do you have any advice for newcomers who are starting their expatriation journey? 

For families moving to Luxembourg, my biggest piece of advice is to choose the commune you'll live in with care. There are big differences between communes when it comes to schools, extracurricular activities, and family-friendly infrastructure. Some communes are more international and family-oriented, while others may feel more residential or business-focused.

I also really recommend making an effort to learn at least some basic Luxembourgish. Even just a few words go a long way in connecting with local culture and showing respect for the country. And if your children attend international schools, it can still be really helpful for them to learn a bit of Luxembourgish as well – it helps them feel more included and integrated.

But more than anything, I believe the key to a smooth and enriching expatriation experience is building a strong social network and support system. Living far from your family and long-time friends can be hard, especially when you have children. That's why creating a sense of community around you is so important – it's what keeps you grounded and supported through all the ups and downs of expat life.

That belief is also at the heart of what I do with Little Sanctuary: helping mothers connect, care for themselves, and feel a sense of belonging, no matter where they come from. I'm also really happy to see that more and more opportunities for building that kind of community are emerging in Luxembourg. For example, I'll be contributing with some workshops in the framework of the Treeboo Festival this September – a beautiful event that brings together families, local businesses, and community initiatives in a truly welcoming atmosphere.

Paloma has a website for more information: www.little-sanctuary.com and is on Instagram little.sanctuary.bypaloma.