In 1984, 18.6% of job offers across all sectors in Luxembourg required knowledge of the Luxembourgish language.
Forty years later, this figure has not changed significantly. The National Employment Agency (ADEM) reported that, in 2023, 24% of job vacancies required proficiency in Luxembourgish, followed by German (31%), English (58%), and French (72%).
However, the civil service is often perceived as particularly demanding regarding mastery of the three official languages.
Virginie Poncin, a civil servant interviewed by GovJobs, shared her experience: “For a long time, I didn’t dare apply for a job in the civil service because I thought my Luxembourgish wasn’t good enough and I didn’t speak enough German.”
Poncin, who works as a communications expert at the State Centre for Human Resources and Organisation Management (CGPO), found that perfect command of all three languages is not a strict requirement for civil service positions, “although it is important to master them to a certain level,” GovJobs emphasises. For instance, a French speaker who has some difficulty with German can still succeed in applying, provided they demonstrate a willingness to learn.
During the recruitment process, an applicant’s language proficiency in the three official languages is assessed, with requirements varying depending on the desired career path. For senior positions, a Grand Ducal regulation specifies that applicants must achieve level C1 for their first language, level B2 for their second language, and level B1 for their third language. Therefore, level B1, which represents a lower intermediate level of proficiency, is sometimes sufficient. Requirements differ for middle and lower-level positions.
Additionally, relevant professional experience can waive language testing requirements. For example, if an applicant has spent seven years in Luxembourg’s public education system, they are exempt from the language tests.
The public administration exhibits greater flexibility regarding language requirements in certain sectors, particularly in IT. According to the GovJobs portal, “developers, data analysts, business analysts, organisational experts, and project managers are often recruited without needing perfect command of all three official languages.” In fact, English frequently serves as the primary working language in this field.
Similarly, in education, secondary schools that adopt an international curriculum often hire French- or English-speaking teachers, even if they do not possess a perfect command of German or Luxembourgish.
Exemptions may also be granted for “highly specialised staff” who lack proficiency in one or two of the three official languages. In such cases, their unique skills can justify these exceptional measures.
Within the Luxembourg government, certain positions necessitate a flawless command of all three official languages, including proficiency in writing. According to GovJobs, “most of the time, these roles involve direct contact with the public.” The days when Luxembourgish was primarily a spoken language are long gone, which is why “writing skills in Luxembourgish are becoming increasingly important.”
Fortunately, a variety of language courses are available in Luxembourg for those looking to enhance their language abilities. Individuals can reach out to the National Institute for Public Administration (INAP), the National Language Institute (INL), or private language providers for assistance.
Participating in “language tandems” at work is another effective way to improve language skills. Virginie Poncin shares her experience: “When I joined the CGPO, I told my colleagues that I wanted to improve my Luxembourgish. They invited me to participate in a tandem. I really like the idea, because in addition to improving my language skills, I also get to connect with my new colleagues and build relationships.”
For more information on job offers in the civil service, click here.
To learn about testing knowledge of the three official languages in the public sector, click here.
