The school-leaving age is going up, yet not every teenager will have to stay until their 18th birthday.

Luxembourg has raised the compulsory school age from 16 to 18, meaning pupils will have to remain in school until they turn 18 from the 2026/27 school year onwards. This was set out in the modified law of 20 July 2023, specifically in article 4, paragraph 2, with article 18 specifying 1 September 2026 as the start date.

A reader reached out asking how this would work if their child graduates from high school at 17. That's earlier than the new compulsory age of 18. In the Luxembourgish public system, most students graduate at 19, with 18 being the youngest. However exceptions exist: some students may skip a year, and with the growth of international schools and different school systems, graduating earlier could become more common.

This raises the question: do children have to take additional classes until they turn 18, or does compulsory schooling end once they hold a secondary school diploma?

To clarify, we contacted the Ministry of Education and confirmed our initial thoughts:

"Yes, compulsory schooling can indeed end before the age of eighteen for students who have already obtained a secondary school leaving diploma or a vocational training diploma issued by the Luxembourg State, or another diploma recognised as equivalent by law or by the Ministry."

So, even if you graduated abroad at 17 with a recognised diploma, Luxembourg will not force you to go back to school.

Interestingly, the Ministry also pointed out an exemption we hadn't considered before: working under the age of 18. Previously, with the school-leaving age set at 16, young people had the option to enter the workforce rather than continue their studies. But what happens to them under the new law – do they now have to return to school? And is there an exemption for 16-year-olds who want to leave school for a job?

The answer is no, they don't have to go back to school – and yes, there is still an exemption for 16-year-olds who want to leave school for a job.

If you are at least 16 and working under contract, you are exempt from compulsory schooling, but only for as long as that contract is valid. For example, if you start working at 16 but lose your job at 17, you would have to return to school until you turn 18.

As set out in article 12 of the same law, the ministry explains: "A minor student who is at least 16 years old and has signed an employment contract is also exempt from compulsory schooling for the duration of that employment contract. This exemption ends the day after the employment contract ends, if the student has not yet reached the age of 18."

So, under the new regulation, you can still leave school at 16, but only if you either have a valid school diploma or are working under contract.