New in 2020

Mobility

Free public transport

From 1 March 2020, all State-funded public transport services in Luxembourg will be free. Travel classes on trains – i.e. 1^st- and 2^nd-class carriages – will be maintained. Full rates will continue to apply for first-class travel, and carriage infrastructure will stay the same.

Financial support scheme for zero and low CO2 emission vehicles

To further the promotion of e-mobility and active mobility, the financial support scheme for zero- and low-CO₂ emission vehicles will also apply in 2020.

Promoting e-mobility is a key component in the drive to lower the carbon footprint of the transport sector. It is an integral part of the draft unified energy and climate plan for the period 2021–2030, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 % by 2030 compared to the baseline year of 2005.

Civil protection

Smoke detectors to become compulsory

To improve public safety and better protect people and property against the risk of fire, the installation of stand-alone smoke detectors will become compulsory on 1 January 2020. A 3-year transition period will apply for pre-existing buildings and those for which a building permit was issued before this date. All emergency evacuation routes from residences, as well as all bedrooms, must be fitted with one or more smoke detectors. The fitting of smoke detectors is incumbent on the landlord, but tenants are responsible for maintaining them.

Communities

Communal service admissibility examination to be modernised

The examination is to be reorganised, in both form and content. Among other changes, procedures will be digitised, and the exams will be reshaped to fit more closely with what the communes actually require. The reform will enter into force in 2020.

Health

The right to be forgotten for cancer survivors 

To make it easier for former cancer and hepatitis C patients to gain access to loans under reasonable conditions, the Ministry of Health and the Association des Compagnies d’Assurances et de Réassurances (ACA) have signed an agreement with 8 insurance companies, implementing the right to be forgotten in Luxembourg. The convention will enter into force on 1 January 2020.

The implementation in Luxembourg of the right to be forgotten in matters regarding insurance for survivors of cancer and certain other diseases is the first step towards ensuring equal treatment for survivors of a serious illness. In light of therapeutic developments, the agreement lays the foundation for more accurate risk assessment when applying for insurance policies. 

Education

Introduction of "Coding" in cycle 4 of the basic education programme

At the start of the 2020-2021 school term, coding will be taught in mathematics classes throughout cycle 4 of the basic education programme. The development of digital skills, and especially coding and computational thinking, is now seen as an essential requirement for schools in the 21^st century that wish to effectively prepare young people for their future careers and for their lives as citizens. Accordingly, these two key skills will be systematically taught throughout the primary and secondary education programmes in public schools.

Finances

Increase in old age pensions

As of 1 January 2020, old-age pensions will increase by 1.5 %.

Housing

Aid to finance tenancy deposits

As of 1 January 2020, new terms and conditions governing the granting of aid to finance tenancy deposits will apply.

Anyone who wishes to rent a home, but does not have sufficient resources to finance a tenancy guarantee (guarantee of solvency or security deposit) required by the landlord, can apply to the Ministry of Housing for financial aid. The State will stand as guarantor for the required amount. In return, the beneficiary will be required to give an undertaking to save the total amount of the deposit over a period of 3 years.

To increase the number of potential beneficiaries, the following changes are planned:

• household income must not exceed the income thresholds provided for by law (see table overleaf);
• the rent must not exceed 40 % of household income;
• applicants must be of legal age on the day they apply for the aid;
• applicants must be legally resident in Luxembourg;
• the home in question must be rented through the private real-estate market;
• the home in question must be located in Luxembourg and be the applicant's main and permanent place of residence;
• applicants must not be the owner, co-owner or usufructuary of, or the holder of an emphyteutic right or right of superficies on any other property, whether in Luxembourg or abroad. 

Currently being examined

Access for all: Draft law on universal access to public spaces, thoroughfares and multi-unit residential buildings

The fundamental rights of disabled persons, and especially the right to freedom of movement, form the basis of the draft law on access for all.

The purpose of the draft law is to ensure that new and existing public spaces, premises and thoroughfares are accessible to all by 2030. As such, the draft law combats the unequal treatment and discriminatory practices that disabled persons experience and, by ensuring access to public property, helps enable disabled persons to live more independently and participate fully in all spheres of life.

A summary of the file can be found on the Chamber of Deputies website