My name’s Esther. I’m from Gambia and I’ve been in Luxembourg for a year.

I have just been granted international protection.
I fled my country because I wasn’t safe there.

My husband and two children are still out there.

I really miss them, and I’d like to see them again.

Naël has sent you a message

Naël

Hi Esther ! It’s Naël. You may remember that we met at the Migrations Festival?

You told me that you sometimes felt a bit lost in Luxembourg. Please let me know if you need some advice. I’ve been here for a few years now and I’m beginning to get the hang of the place and to feel at home here.

When I had just arrived like you have, I had French lessons and they really helped me to get the hang of how things work here and also to meet people.

Where to learn French

Esther

Hello Naël!

I’ve just been granted international protection. I’m so relieved.

That said, I’m going to have to leave the hostel.

I’ve applied for social inclusion income (REVIS) while I look for a job. And I’m not sure what to do after that…

What do you suggest?

French lessons

(in-person or online)

The Language café
Conversation tables

Mobile applications

Network

Try things out and pluck up the courage to speak.

(Volunteer work, sports, cultural and musical activities, community activities/events, inclusive activities)

Conversation connectors

Words to help you communicate with others quickly.

About

The Luxembourg Red Cross set up this project in association with the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, and the European Union.

We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the development of the project, and our special thanks go to Gilles Hempel, Lura Zucoli, Mohammad Manla Hasan, Majid Rahmouni, Sandra Jachacy, Amélie Zeimet, Paul Estgen and Mohsen Zargar.

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Resources

Tips for French lessons

Family reunion: conditions

Lawyers and legal aid?

Housing in Luxembourg

How does the 'ADEM' (Luxembourg's public service for jobseekers) work?

Tips for finding work

How do the social services work?

"Taking care of your mental health is important"

A few tips on finding housing

What is an action plan?

"The final stage of the process is finding a job"

"The system is really different here"

"Building a network is vital"

"Integration means feeling at home in Luxembourg"

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Cours de français

(En présentiel / en ligne)

Cafés des langues
Tables de conversation

Applications mobiles

Réseau

Bénévolat
Activités inclusives, sportives, culturelles ou musicales, évènements communaux.

Connecteurs de conversation

Mots pour entrer rapidement en communication.

Quand on reçoit la protection internationale,
si la demande est faite :

Dans les 6 mois

 Pas de condition concernant
le logement et le revenu.

Après 6 mois

Il faut disposer d’un logement approprié et d’un revenu régulier et suffisant.

Le regroupement familial
peut être demandé :

→ pour votre conjoint/e
→ pour vos enfants célibataires mineurs
→ pour vos enfants célibataires majeurs
→ pour vos parents

Le regroupement familial

Les démarches

J'ai obtenu le statut de la protection internationale.

Je récolte les documents.

Je les fais traduire.

J'envoie le dossier au ministère.

Pendant les démarches

Je cherche un travail.

J'épargne de l'argent.

Je me renseigne sur le prix des visas et des billets.

Si je n'ai pas assez d'argent, je peux contacter l'Office social.

Si l'Office social refuse, il peut réorienter mon dossier vers le service LISKO de la Croix-Rouge.

Je m'assure d'être autorisé à héberger ma famille dans mon logement.

Source : Ministère des Affaires intérieures

Il n’y a pas d’obligation à prendre un avocat
pour une demande de regroupement familial

Mais prendre un avocat permet de :

Ne pas se sentir seul quand on commence une procédure.
Recevoir des conseils et éviter de faire des erreurs.

Si on n’a pas les moyens de payer les frais de procédure,
on peut demander une assistance judiciaire.

Source : Ministère de la Justice

Le Luxembourg, un pays très vert…

Surface agricole

Surface forestière

Surface bâtie

La population est en constante augmentation…

Les loyers au Luxembourg
sont chers et ne cessent d’augmenter

Pour trouver un logement,
vous pouvez aller sur :

Le marché privé

→ Demandez à votre entourage
→ Consultez les petites annonces dans les journaux
→ Consultez les annonces en ligne sur les sites internet dédiés
→ Visitez les quartiers et cherchez les affiches « à louer » sur les maisons ou les immeubles

Le marché public

→ Fonds du Logement
→ Société Nationale des Habitations à Bon Marché (SNHBM)
→ Certaines communes
→ Associations

Très peu de logements sociaux

Et une durée d’attente moyenne
de 7 ans pour obtenir un logement social.

Source : Le Luxembourg en chiffres, Edition 2023, STATEC

Comment fonctionne l’ADEM ?

Réseau

Bénévolat
Activités inclusives, sportives, culturelles ou musicales, évènements communaux.

Sites internet/applications mobiles

Pour la recherche d’un travail.

Initiatives sociales

Associations qui accompagnent les personnes sans emploi
à se réinsérer dans la vie sociale et professionnelle.

Agences de mise à l’emploi

S’inscrire comme demandeur d’emploi pour avoir accès aux formations,
aux bons plans et aux offres d’emploi.

C’est quoi la sécurité sociale ?

La sécurité sociale est un système d’assurance mis en place par l’État qui aide les citoyen·nes face aux imprévus de la vie.

Comment ça fonctionne ?

Les travailleurs paient un montant, appelé « cotisations sociales » » directement prélevé sur leur salaire.

Ces cotisations vont dans une caisse
qui vient en aide aux citoyens qui en ont besoin (santé, allocations familiales, retraite,…)

Cette caisse est aussi alimentée par l’État et les employeurs.

La sécurité sociale est basée
sur la solidarité

Tout le monde contribue selon ses moyens
et en bénéficie selon ses besoins.

When international protection is granted,
if the application is made:

Within the first six months

No requirements regarding
housing and income.

After 6 months

You must be living in suitable housing and have a regular and sufficient source of income.

Family reunions
can be requested:

→ for your spouse
→ for your children who are single and minors
→ for your children who are single and adults
→ for your parents

Family reunion

The procedure:

I've been granted refugee status

I collect the required documents

I have them translated

I send the file to the ministry

While I'm compiling the file:

I look for a job

I put money aside

I find out how much visas and tickets will cost

If I don't have enough money, I can contact the Social Services Office

If the Social Services Office cannot help me, it can redirect me to the LISKO office of the Red Cross

I make sure that I have permission to put my family up in the housing I have been allocated

Source: The Home Office

There is no legal obligation to use a lawyer
for a family reunion application

But using a lawyer means that:

You don’t feel alone when the process starts.
You get advice and you avoid making mistakes.

If you cannot afford to pay the fees related to the process,
you can apply for legal aid.

Source: Ministry of Justice

Luxembourg is a very green country…

Surface area used for agriculture

Surface area used for forestry

Built-up surface area

Traduction manquante image

The population is constantly growing…

Rental rates in Luxembourg
are high and on a constant rise

To find accommodation,
you can go to:

The private sector

→ ask people you know
→ check classified ads in newspapers
→ check online ads on specialized websites
→ visit different neighbourhoods and look for “For rent” signs on houses or blocks of flats

The public sector

→ Housing Fund
→ National Society for Affordable Housing (SNHBM)
→ Some communes
→ Associations

Very little social housing

And a waiting list with average waits for applicants
of 7 years before being allocated housing.

Source: Luxembourg in figures, Edition 2023, STATEC

How does the ‘ADEM’ (Luxembourg’s public service for jobseekers) work?

Network

Volunteer work
Inclusive, sporting, cultural or musical activities, community events.

Websites/mobile applications

To find a job.

Social initiatives

Associations who help the unemployed
to integrate socially.

Employment agencies

Register as a jobseeker to gain access to training, special deals and job offers.

What is the social security system?

The social security system gives access to insurance that is provided by the State in order to help citizens cope with life’s challenges.

How does it work?

Employees pay what are called “social contributions” which are directly deducted from their salary.

The contributions are paid into a fund which helps citizens in need,
e. g. unemployment benefit, the REVIS (social inclusion income) and healthcare reimbursements.

The State and companies also make financial contributions to this fund.

The social security system is based on a principle of solidarity.

Everyone contributes to it according to their means, and benefits from it according to their needs.