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The programme "Lëtzebuerger am Ausland", or Luxembourgers Abroad, has been in existence since 2018 but is not widely known.
When should you notify the authorities of plans to travel abroad, what data must be provided and what will be done with it? RTL's Claudia Kollwelter asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain the programme.
Sarah Anjo, of the foreign ministry's consular assistance department, said in theory residents should notify Guichet.lu of any travels:
"Not for a day trip, but if you're going away for a week or two, or planning to live or study abroad, it's best to notify us."
The form requires a lot of data which can be useful for embassies or consulates in the event of any natural disasters or conflicts which could unfold in the destination country.
"Registering means listing the destination, and any contact details for people in Luxembourg or abroad. You can list where you are staying, which hotel, whether you're going on a cruise, the ship's name, and whether your trip is for business or leisure purposes."
The more information, the faster a person can receive help, Anjo said. The data supplied will be rendered anonymous within a fortnight once the traveller has returned to the Grand Duchy. The programme is particularly useful for regions associated with conflict.
"In Ukraine, we were grateful to have this data so we could contact people, we knew where they would be and how we could get in touch. Statistics often show how many people are in different countries, but we don't always have a phone number or email address for these people. So LamA helps us to stay on top of this information."
In the case of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, for example, ten people in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon have registered with LamA since October 2023.
"We also contact people proactively to ask where they are, if they need assistance or if they've experienced a theft, if they need money, or if friends and family are in the same area."
The foreign ministry also has a dedicated team who can be contacted at any time by phone in the event of a problem abroad.
