Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Readers should consult healthcare professionals, the CNS, or legal experts for personalised information.
Luxembourg treats addiction as a health condition that requires prevention, treatment and long-term support. Public information, including dossiers on alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and behavioural addictions, is available on the national health portal found here.
Prevention efforts include public campaigns, school-based programmes, and youth-focused interventions carried out by municipalities and non-profit organisations. The state also promotes smoking-cessation support, with certain treatments eligible for reimbursement through the CNS under specific conditions found here.
For prevention guidance and resources, the National Centre for Addiction Prevention (CNAPA) provides information, tools and referrals, found here.
Immediate and low-threshold help
Luxembourg has several services designed for people who need support without entering structured treatment right away:
These services help stabilise individuals, reduce immediate risks and connect people with longer-term care if and when they choose.
Substitution therapy and medical support
For opioid dependence, medically supervised substitution treatment is available. Programmes may include methadone, buprenorphine or, in specific cases, other medically supervised options. Treatment is typically combined with psychosocial follow-up and regular health monitoring.
This type of care is generally accessed through specialised centres and may include additional support such as counselling, case management, and social assistance.
Residential and long-term rehabilitation
For individuals seeking structured, abstinence-oriented treatment, Luxembourg offers residential rehabilitation programmes. These usually follow a therapeutic-community model, combining therapy, daily routines, and reintegration planning.
Youth-focused support
Young people often require tailored support. Luxembourg provides specialised services for those aged 13–21 facing substance use or psychosocial difficulties. These programmes may combine therapeutic care with educational support and family involvement, ensuring that young people receive appropriate guidance during a critical period of development.
Support programs and centers found through the Red Cross here.
Hospital-based detox and stabilisation
Several hospitals in Luxembourg offer medical detoxification and short-term stabilisation for individuals experiencing acute physical or psychological effects of substance use. These units provide supervised withdrawal, clinical assessment and transitional planning for follow-up treatment.
Hospitals providing this care include:
This level of care is typically accessed through a GP, emergency services or referral from an addiction-support centre.
Transitional and supported housing
Some people benefit from supported housing before or after rehabilitation. These residential structures provide daily assistance, supervision and life-skills support, helping individuals gradually regain autonomy in a safe environment. Such programmes are offered by various NGOs and may require referral from social or health professionals.
Counselling, psychotherapy, and peer-support groups
Psychotherapy is available through approved practitioners and may be reimbursed by the CNS, generally at 70% for adults and up to 100% for minors, depending on medical prescription and CNS rules. The number of reimbursable sessions is limited and should be confirmed directly with the CNS.
Peer-support networks offer additional, community-based assistance. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous and support services for behavioural addictions provide confidential, free meetings that complement professional treatment.
Information found here:
If addiction affects work performance, safety or behaviour, employers must act within the framework of labour law. Addiction itself is not a disciplinary offence; action must be based on documented performance or safety concerns.
Employers may request occupational-health assessments if health concerns arise, provided privacy and proportionality rules are respected.
When addiction is treated as an illness, individuals may access standard sick-leave protections. The Social Security Code and CNS statutes define the rules surrounding medical certificates, reporting deadlines, house-leave restrictions and measures for long-term or progressive return-to-work.
Termination of employment must follow the Labour Code. Illness or addiction cannot justify dismissal on their own; decisions must relate to conduct, inability to perform duties or other legally valid grounds. Employees have rights during the procedure, and employers must respect notice periods and documentation requirements.
For guidance:
Legal advice is recommended for anyone facing dismissal linked to health or performance issues.
Reimbursement depends on medical necessity, CNS tariffs and prior authorisation where required. Key CNS guidance on hospitalisation, cures and rehabilitation is available here.
Examples include:
Patients should verify coverage directly with the CNS.
Understanding the financial side of addiction treatment is important, as reimbursement levels vary depending on the type of care, the provider and whether treatment takes place inside or outside Luxembourg:
Hospital detox and inpatient care
Detoxification or stabilisation carried out in a Luxembourg hospital is generally reimbursed at the CNS tariff.
Patients normally pay:
Reimbursable hospitalisation information found here.
Residential rehabilitation in Luxembourg
Residential treatment provided by public or approved facilities may be reimbursed partly or fully, depending on the centre and the type of programme:
Reimbursement depends on medical justification and whether the centre has agreements with CNS.
Psychotherapy and counselling
Psychotherapy provided by an approved practitioner is reimbursed when prescribed by a doctor. General rules include:
Details found here.
Substitution therapy
Costs for opioid-substitution medications (such as methadone or buprenorphine) and associated medical follow-up are generally reimbursed as standard medical treatment, provided all administrative requirements are met.
CNS authorisation (S2 form)
Planned treatment outside Luxembourg, including residential rehabilitation, is not automatically reimbursed.
Reimbursement is only possible if the CNS grants prior authorisation, typically through the S2 form, which confirms that:
Information on the procedure found here.
What is reimbursed abroad?
When approved, CNS reimburses:
CNS does not typically reimburse:
Private clinics outside Luxembourg
Many patients seek treatment in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, or Spain. Private clinics often offer English speaking environments or specific therapeutic approaches, but:
Private insurance
Individuals with complementary private insurance may receive additional reimbursement depending on their plan. Coverage is highly variable, and policyholders should verify:
Options differ depending on needs, readiness, and personal circumstances. Many individuals begin by speaking with their GP or contacting a low-threshold service. Others start with counselling, substitution therapy, or youth-specific support. Emergency services may also initiate care during acute episodes.
Regardless of the path taken, early contact with a professional can help clarify next steps and guide individuals toward appropriate care.
Luxembourg offers a broad, confidential and professional network of addiction-support services. From harm reduction to long-term rehabilitation, individuals can find help at every stage. Because treatment options and reimbursement rules vary, speaking with a healthcare provider or the CNS remains essential.
Reaching out is the first and most important step, and support exists for anyone ready to take it.
