Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:

Ambassador: Jean-Paul Senninger
Embassy: 2200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 265-4171
FAX: (202) 328-8270

Consulate(s) General are in:
San Francisco
Citicorp Ctr., 1 Sansome St., Suite 830,
San Francisco, CA 94104.
(415) 788-0816

New York
17 Beekman Pl.,
New York, NY 10011.
(212) 888-6664, FAX (212) 888-6116

US Diplomatic Representation:

Chief of Mission: Charge d’Affaires, a.i.--Arnold H. Campbell
Embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg
Mailing Address: PSC 11, Luxembourg City; APO AE 09132-5380
Telephone: [352] 46 01 23
FAX: [352] 46 14 01

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Luxembourg

U.S. Embassy Web Site in Luxembourg
Permanent Mission of Luxembourg to the UN in New York


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Luxembourg has long been a prominent supporter of European political and economic integration. In efforts foreshadowing European integration, Luxembourg and Belgium in 1921 formed the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) to create an inter-exchangeable currency and a common customs regime. Luxembourg is a member of the Benelux Economic Union and was one of the founding members of the European Economic Community (now the European Union). It also participates in the Schengen Group, which allows for the free movement of citizens among member states. At the same time, Luxembourgers have consistently recognized the value of a dynamic, transatlantic relationship, and the Grand Duchy traditionally has pursued a pro-NATO, pro-U.S. foreign policy.

Luxembourg is the site of the European Court of Justice, European Court of Auditors, and European Investment Bank, as well as other vital EU organs. The Secretariat of the European Parliament is located in Luxembourg. The EU stability fund created in response to effects of the international financial crisis is based in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg’s official development assistance (ODA) in 2009 reached €298 million ($415 million), or about 1.04% of its gross national income. This reportedly was the third-highest level of any country. Luxembourg ranked 16th among the top world donors of development aid to Afghanistan, with total aid of $1,488,399,000 as of 2010. In 2010 it donated $700,280 to the Afghanistan program, as well as $123,305 toward improving maternal and infant health in Kabul and Kandahar. It also donated $650,000 to help the flood victims of the tragedy in Pakistan in summer 2010.

DEFENSE
The Luxembourg Army is under civilian control. The country has no navy or air force. A 1967 law made the army an all-volunteer force. It has a current strength of 1,038 professional soldiers, 896 enlisted recruits, and 142 civilians. A 2002 law allows citizens of other EU countries, under certain conditions, to join the Luxembourg Army.

In 2009 Luxembourg spent approximately 0.6% of GDP on defense. It has participated in the European Corps (EUROCORPS) since 1994. Luxembourg has contributed a small number of troops to EU missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ALTHEA), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUSECRDC), and off the coast of Somalia (ATALANTA); NATO missions in Afghanistan (ISAF) and Kosovo (KFOR); and the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Luxembourg financially supported international peacekeeping missions during the 1991 Gulf War and in Rwanda and Albania and provided humanitarian aid to Iraq.

U.S. RELATIONS
Luxembourgers are deeply appreciative of the sacrifices made by Americans, leading to the country's liberation in the two World Wars of the 20th century. More than 5,000 American soldiers, including General George S. Patton, are buried at the American Military Cemetery near the capital, and there are monuments in many towns to American liberators. The strong U.S.-Luxembourg relationship is expressed both bilaterally and through common membership in NATO, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Principal U.S. Officials
Charge d’Affaires, a.i.--Arnold H. Campbell
Deputy Chief of Mission--David Fetter
Political-Economic Chief--Ashley Bagwell
Public Affairs Officer--Kareen Thorpe
Management Officer--Jonathan S. Fischer
General Services Officer--Alexandra Aitken
Regional Security Officer--Kirby W. Rosenbluth
Consular Chief--Carla T. Nadeau

The U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg is located at 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City (tel. 352-460-123).


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Luxembourg check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (EUR) Euro
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 352



Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country code: 352 (no area codes). Outgoing international code: 00. International phones have a yellow sign showing a telephone dial with a receiver in the centre.

Climate: Warm weather from May to September and snow likely during winter months. The north (the Ardennes region) tends to be wetter and colder than the south.

Clothing: Waterproofs are advisable at all times of the year.

Food & Drink: Luxembourg cooking combines German heartiness with Franco-Belgian finesse. Local dishes include carré de porc fumé (smoked pork and broad beans or sauerkraut), cochon de lait en gelée (jellied suckling pig), and jambon d’Ardennes (famous smoked Ardennes ham). The preparation of trout, pike and crayfish is excellent, as are the pastries and cakes. Tarte aux quetsches is recommended. Delicious desserts are prepared with local liqueurs and some restaurants will make omelette soufflée au kirsch. A dash of quetsch, mirabelle or kirsch will be added to babas or fruit cups. Most aspects of restaurants and bars are similar to the rest of Europe.
Luxembourg’s white Moselle wines resemble those of the Rhine, but are drier than the fruitier wines of the French Moselle. Beer is another speciality and is a traditional industry. Best-known brands are Mousel, Bofferding, Diekirch and Simon. There are also many local liqueurs and strong spirits such as Eau de vie (45-50 per cent alcohol). The minimum age for drinking in bars is 17, and anyone younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult in cafes and bars. Hours are generally from 0700-2400 (weekdays) and until 0300 (weekends and public holidays). Nightclubs are generally open until 0300.

Shopping: Special purchases include beautiful porcelain and crystal. Villeroy & Boch’s crystal factories in Septfontaines are open to visitors. A regional speciality is earthenware pottery from Nospelt, where in August there is a fortnight’s exhibition of local work. Shopping hours: Mon 1400-1800, Tues-Sat 0830-1800.

Tipping: Bills generally include service, but a rounding up is often given. Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent of meter charge.


Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Luxembourg). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Luxembourg Franc was completely replaced by the Euro on 28 February 2002. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Visa, Diners Club and others are all widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards. Many retailers require a minimum (eg €12-25) before accepting credit/debit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Currency..............No restrictions

Tobacco...............200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco

Liquor..................4 litres

Gifts.....................Duty free allowance up to us $25.00

Camera................No restrictions



Back to Top