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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Luxembourg Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Luxembourg, released July 1999 Note*

CHAPTER IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

BUSINESS CUSTOMS

Business Hours
Government offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Private companies are generally open from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. while shops and stores open at 9 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m.

Languages
Luxembourgish, also spelled l‘tzebuergesch, is the native language spoken in the majority of homes. It has been recognized as the national language since 1984; both French and German remain official languages. German is the language of instruction beginning in first grade; French begins shortly thereafter. French is the official language of the administration, jurisdiction, parliament, education, and some literary circles. Daily newspapers are written mainly in German with some articles written in French. Many Luxembourgers are also able to speak English, especially in the business and government sectors.

Time
GMT +1 (same as Berlin, Rome, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Paris, Madrid, etc.)

TRAVEL ADVISORY AND VISAS
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens traveling in Luxembourg for less than 90 days. Resident visas are difficult to obtain for non-EU citizens. To obtain a residence visa, it is necessary to have a working permit, which are limited to managerial positions in foreign-owned companies and people with special skills that are unavailable in Luxembourg. It usually takes eight to twelve months to obtain a working permit and 18 months to obtain a professional card. Specialized lawyers established in Luxembourg can assist in the process.

Currency and Credit Cards
The Luxembourg Franc is the local currency, which is inter-exchangeable with the Belgian Franc. Most hotels and restaurants take credit and charge cards (Visa, MasterCard (Eurocard), American Express, or Diners Club).

Voltage
220/380 volts AC 50 three-phase current.

LUXEMBOURG 1999 HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day     January 1
Carnival (Shrove Monday)     February 15
Easter Monday    April 5
May Day (Luxembourg Labor Day)     May 1
Ascension     May 13
Pentecost (Whitsun) Monday     May 24
National Day (Grand Duke's Birthday)     June 23
Assumption     August 15
Luxembourg City Kermesse (City of Luxembourg only)     September 1
All Saints' Day     November 1
All Souls' Day     November 2
Christmas Day     December 25
St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day)     December 26

WORK WEEK

Monday through Friday, 40 hours/week.

BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE

Public transportation is readily available, and Luxembourg has excellent communication links with the rest of the world. Luxembourg is also home to extraordinarily rich media coverage, which offers the broadest selection of television channels in Europe. TV viewers currently have access to a broad range of programs from around the world via satellite. The country is blessed with an intense and varied cultural life, and is highly regarded for its acceptance of foreign goods and persons and its overall lifestyle and family oriented values system.

U.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; Tel. (202) 512-1800; Fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Luxembourg seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Luxembourg officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section in Brussels can be reached by telephone at +32/2 508-2425, by fax at +32/2 512-6653, or by email at brussels.office.box@mail.doc.gov.