In this article
The chèque-service accueil
The CSA is not a paper cheque. It is a state subsidy that reduces the cost of approved childcare for children who live in Luxembourg, and in some cases for children of cross-border workers. Once your child is registered, approved childcare providers bill you the reduced price, and the State pays the rest.
- Residents apply through their commune.
- Non-residents who may be eligible apply through the Caisse pour l'avenir des enfants (CAE).
The subsidy applies only in approved structures: crèches, mini-crèches, day-care centres, after-school care (maisons relais) and approved childminders (assistants parentaux) that are part of the scheme. Ask any provider whether they accept the CSA before signing.
In January 2026, the government presented a reform of the CSA intended to make it fairer and to strengthen quality. Check the current conditions on the official sites when you apply.
Free hours for children aged 1 to 4
For children aged 1 to 4 who are not yet in compulsory school, the Ministry of Education describes 20 hours a week of free childcare in approved crèches and mini-crèches that take part in the plurilingual education programme, regardless of the parents' income, for 46 weeks a year.
A few details matter:
- Children already attending early-education classes (précoce) full time receive 10 free hours a week instead of 20.
- Parents choose six weeks a year when the free hours do not apply, usually during school holidays.
- Hours beyond the free 20 are billed at the CSA-reduced rate, which depends on household income.
Free after-school care for schoolchildren
Since September 2022, childcare in approved structures is free for children in compulsory primary education during school periods, Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 19:00, including lunch. For working parents, that is one of the most practical features of living in Luxembourg: school and after-school care together can cover a full working day at no cost.
In Luxembourg City, the maisons relais attached to schools provide much of this care.
Crèches and how to find a place
This is the difficult part. Demand for crèche places, particularly for children under two, exceeds supply in many parts of Luxembourg City.
- Start early. As soon as your move is confirmed, contact crèches near your future home or your workplace. Many keep waiting lists.
- Consider mini-crèches and childminders. They can have places when larger crèches do not.
- Look at your employer. Some large employers reserve places in crèches for their staff.
- Think about location. A crèche near your office can be easier than one near home if you commute by tram.
When you choose where to live, the crèche question can be as important as the flat. Our neighbourhood guides describe which quarters suit families.
Costs in practice
With the CSA and the free hours, the cost of childcare in Luxembourg is often considerably lower than families expect after reading the headline prices of private crèches. The actual monthly cost depends on:
- your household income, which sets the CSA rate;
- the number of hours beyond the free 20;
- whether your provider is approved and part of the plurilingual programme;
- meals and extras charged by the provider.
Ask each provider for a written estimate based on your CSA situation.
Languages
Luxembourg's plurilingual programme introduces young children to Luxembourgish and French in the crèche, on top of the language spoken at home. For international families, it is a gentle way into the languages of school and daily life. Our guide to the languages of Luxembourg explains the wider picture, and our guide to schools in Luxembourg covers what comes next.
A checklist for arriving families
- Before you move: contact crèches and childminders; ask about waiting lists and CSA participation.
- On arrival: register with the commune; apply for the CSA through the commune (or the CAE if you are a non-resident).
- Choose your home with the crèche and school journeys in mind.
- Confirm the place in writing, with the start date, hours and price.
If you are a cross-border worker, eligibility for the CSA and the free hours depends on your situation. Contact the CAE early rather than assuming either way.
Questions we are often asked
Do I need to speak Luxembourgish for my child to attend a crèche?
No. Crèches in the plurilingual programme welcome children from all language backgrounds and introduce Luxembourgish and French gradually. Many staff also speak English, particularly in Luxembourg City.
Can I use the free hours in a private crèche?
The free hours apply in approved structures that take part in the plurilingual education programme. Many private crèches are approved and participate; ask each one directly.
What happens during school holidays?
For schoolchildren, holiday care is organised separately from the free term-time care, often by the maisons relais or holiday programmes, and may be charged. For younger children, the six weeks without free hours are usually chosen during holidays.
When should I apply for the CSA?
As soon as you are registered with the commune and have a childcare place in view. The CSA card is needed for the provider to apply the reduced rates.
Our take
Luxembourg is one of the most generous countries in Europe for childcare costs, thanks to the CSA, the 20 free hours for young children and free after-school care. The constraint is places, not money. Families who start looking before they arrive, and who choose their home with the crèche in mind, have a much easier first year.
If you are moving with young children, tell us where you will work and which crèche or school you are considering, and we will suggest homes that make the daily routine simple. See our current listings.
Sources
This article gives general practical information and is not legal or tax advice. Procedures, amounts and deadlines change; check the current rules on guichet.lu or with the administration concerned.
