The purpose of language leave is to enable the applicant to participate in Luxembourgish language courses, to prepare for related examinations and to participate in them.
Who can benefit from language leave?
Employees who wish to take advantage of language leave must meet the following conditions:
be normally employed at a place of work in Luxembourg;
be bound by an employment contract to an employer established in Luxembourg;
have at least 6 months’ seniority with their employer.
Self-employed persons and persons exercising a liberal profession must have been affiliated with the Luxembourg social security system for at least 6 months.
Which training courses are eligible?
Luxembourgish language training is eligible if it is provided either in Luxembourg or abroad by:
institutions having the status of public or private schools recognised by the public authorities and issuing certificates recognised by the same authorities;
professional chambers;
municipalities;
foundations, natural persons and private associations individually approved for this purpose by the Minister having vocational training in his/her attributions;
ministries, administrations and public institutions;
private continuing training organisations with a business permit;
continuing training organisations legally established in an EU Member State or in a country that has ratified a bilateral treaty with Luxembourg on this subject
businesses providing equipment and services promoting technological progress and training in relation to such equipment;
providers who have been approved by the Ministry of Health.
To avoid double financing by the State, training planned and co-financed by other legal provisions (co-financed in-company training forming an integral part of a training plan or project and training leave for employee representatives) is not eligible.
Training must take place during normal working hours.
What is the duration of language leave?
The maximum duration of language leave is 200 hours per professional career. It must be divided into two periods of 80 hours minimum and 120 hours maximum each.
Only those having completed training leading to a diploma or other certificate of achievement during the first period will qualify for the second period. For part-time employees, leave hours are calculated proportionally. The leave may be split, the minimum duration being half an hour per day.
How do I apply for language leave?
Requests for language leave should be addressed to the Ministry of Labour. Employees’ requests for leave must include their employer’s opinion.
In the event of a negative opinion, the leave may be postponed if the absence resulting from the requested leave is likely to have a major adverse impact on:
the operation of the business, or
the smooth running of the personnel paid annual leave.
Who pays the compensatory allowance during language leave?
Employees on language leave are entitled, for each hour of leave, to a compensatory allowance equal to the average hourly wage but not exceeding 4x the unskilled hourly social minimum wage (see Social parameters).
The compensatory allowance is paid by the employer. The State shall reimburse the employer 50% of the amount of the compensatory allowance and 50% of the employer’s share of social security contributions based on a declaration using a pre-established form.
The State shall pay persons engaged in a self-employed or liberal professional activity a compensatory allowance set at 50% of the reference amount defined on the basis of the income used for the last contributory financial year as the basis for pension insurance contributions, without it being able to exceed 4x the unskilled minimum social wage 2. Payment shall be made based on a declaration using a pre-established form.
Do the legal provisions on social security and employment protection remain applicable?
The duration of training leave is considered as a period of actual work. During the period of language leave, the legal provisions relating to social security and employment protection shall continue to apply to the beneficiary.
Who to contact?
Ministère du Travail
26, rue Sainte-Zithe
L-2763 Luxembourg