Practical guide to working holidays in Luxembourg

Before you get started, see a few short basic reminders.

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In Luxembourg, an employee who works full-time in a company is entitled to:

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- 11 legal holidays over the year:

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o New Year (January 1st)

o Easter Monday

o Labor Day (May 1st)

o Europe Day (9 May)

O Ascension

o Whit Monday

o National Day (23 June)

o Assumption (August 15)

o All Saints' Day (November 1)

o Christmas (December 25)

o Boxing Day (December 26)

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- 1 day of compensatory leave by holiday that falls on a day when he does not work (a Saturday or Sunday for example). It must be granted within 3 months from the day after the public holiday in question.

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- Of additional holidays for lucky people whose work is supervised by a collective agreement. Example: in banks, employees are asked to stay home on the Friday before Easter (Good Friday) and on the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

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The options according to the type of holiday

Work on a holiday that falls on a business day

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That's all well and good, but if you have to work on a holiday, what does the law propose to thank you for your bravery?

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If this Working holiday falls on a working day, you are entitled to a total remuneration of 300%.

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This means that you are receiving:

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- your usual remuneration for the number of hours of work that you normally work (100%);

- remuneration for the hours actually worked on this holiday, at the normal hourly rate (+ 100%);

- an increase of 100% of the normal hourly rate for the hours actually worked that day (+ 100%).

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Work on a holiday that falls on a Sunday

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Not only are you being asked to work on a Sunday, but is this day a holiday? You have the right to ask your employer for a medal, but you will also receive:

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- remuneration for the hours worked that day at the normal hourly rate;

- a 100% increase in the hours worked;

- a 70% increase in the hours worked, because it is a Sunday;

- a compensatory day off, within 3 months following the holiday.

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Work on a holiday that falls on a day not usually worked

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If, on top of that, the holiday on which you have to work falls on business day when you do not work normally. Are you still following? Example: you work normally from Tuesday to Friday, and you are asked to come and work on Whit Monday.

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In this case, you are entitled to:

- the average hourly wage for the hours actually worked;

- at an increase of 100% of these hours;

- to a compensatory day off.

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Work on a working day that coincides with 2 public holidays

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Out of luck last year, this scenario happened: Ascension Day and Europe Day took place on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

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In this case, if you usually worked on Thursdays, you were entitled to:

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- your usual remuneration for the number of hours you should have normally worked that day;

- additional remuneration for the hours actually worked, at the normal hourly rate;

- an increase of 100% of the normal hourly rate for the hours worked that day;

- a compensatory day off for the 2nd legal holiday.

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If you did not normally work on Thursdays, you were entitled to the previous points 2, 3 and 4.

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We reassure you, two public holidays that fall at the same time, it is extremely rare. The next time that happens will be in 2086.

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Work on a Sunday that coincides with 2 public holidays

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No, really, there's nothing we can do for you anymore. A word of advice: don't play the lottery that day.

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All kidding aside, this situation is not going to happen anytime soon.

Seasonal businesses

If you are an ice cream maker, as you work in a seasonal company, specific rules apply if you work on a public holiday.

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Why? Because your business is subject to seasonal variations.

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We see you coming, ice cream in winter is no!

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Therefore, if you work on a legal holiday, you have the right to choose:

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- or two paid rest days within 6 months;

- or two paid rest days in addition to your regular leave;

- or, for all the legal holidays worked, a half-day of paid rest per week.

Good to know

- Taxes : what is paid when you work on a legal holiday is exempt from income tax, that's good news!

- Time credit : if you wish, compensatory rest for working on a public holiday can be registered in your time savings account. To do so, you must submit a written request to your employer.

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Happy holidays!

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