It is an exciting thing to move to Luxembourg as an international student.

However, when you come with a husband or a child, your health insurance planning ceases to be a sham; it is one of the first actual decisions impacting the security of your family on a daily basis.

The health system in Luxembourg is stable, predictable and well-regulated. That’s reassuring.

However, its combination of both the public and private cover plans can be overwhelming when you are not up-to-speed with the reimbursement process, the way the dependants are hooked up, and the extent to which a student actually requires top-up cover.

All that is made clear in this guide.

You will be able to find straightforward instructions, price estimates, typical provider selection, and the tips that are specifically student-family-friendly; thus, you will be able to create a coverage plan that will be both compliant and affordable without any guesses.

1. Understanding the Basics: How Health Insurance Works for Students in Luxembourg

Luxembourg requires all residents, including international students, to have health insurance.
The foundation of the system is the CNS (Caisse Nationale de Santé)—the national health fund responsible for processing affiliations and reimbursements.

Here’s the core structure:

Most students must register with CNS, unless their home insurer (for EU/EEA citizens) covers them through EHIC or an S1 form.
CNS operates on a reimbursement model, meaning you usually pay upfront and then get a portion refunded.
Approved costs are reimbursed at 80–100%, depending on the treatment—GP visits, specialist fees, maternity care, hospitalisation, and many medications fall under this model.
Spouses and children can often be registered as co-insured dependants, provided their residence status is confirmed and the student is properly affiliated.

For many families, CNS forms the “base layer.”
But it rarely covers private rooms, extensive dental, high-cost optical, or global medical care outside approved EU arrangements. That’s where private or international plans come in.

And this layered approach is exactly what student families in Luxembourg typically use.

2. What International Student Families Usually Pay

Costs vary, but predictable patterns exist.

If you’re a non-EU student, CNS contributions depend on a legally defined percentage of Luxembourg’s minimum income.
While the rate may change annually, your university or CNS can give you the exact monthly figure at enrolment. It is not optional; it is compulsory.

For a student arriving with a spouse and child, here’s the financial landscape:

Basic CNS cover is mandatory for the student unless exempted via EHIC/S1.
Dependants may join for free under the co-insurance rules, depending on their residency status.
Private supplemental insurance becomes necessary when you want dental coverage, better hospital benefits, or international protection.

Typical private or international plan price ranges:

150–300 EUR/month for basic inpatient-only or limited outpatient benefits for a family of three.
400–700+ EUR/month for stronger cover including maternity, broader outpatient access, low deductibles, and global networks.

Insurance costs rise with age, existing conditions, coverage level, and whether maternity needs to be included immediately or after a waiting period.

Knowing these figures early helps you budget and prevents surprises at enrollment or visa renewal.

3. The 10 Most Common Health Insurance Providers for Student Families in Luxembourg

Families studying or working temporarily in Luxembourg tend to rely on a combination of public cover and one or two private plans. Here are ten providers frequently used by international students, expats, and cross-border families.

Each offers a different balance of cost, coverage, and flexibility.

1. CNS (Caisse Nationale de Santé) – Public Mandatory Cover

Role: The foundation of Luxembourg’s healthcare system.
Why families use it:

Covers essential medical care, hospitalisation, maternity, and children’s healthcare.
Dependants can often be included as co-insured members.
Required for residency compliance.

It’s reliable, predictable, and universally accepted across Luxembourg.

2. CMCM (Caisse Médico-Complémentaire Mutualiste) – Mutual Supplementary Cover

Role: A local mutual insurer offering hospital, dental, and travel-style top-ups.
Why families use it:

Very affordable structure.
Ideal for enhancing CNS with better hospital cover and international support.
Strong for residents who want more than the public system but at a modest cost.

3. DKV Luxembourg (via LALUX) – Complementary and Hospital Cover

Role: A leading local supplement for treatment abroad and private hospital benefits.
Why families use it:

Popular among cross-border workers and expats.
Offers private rooms, cosmopolitan care networks, and strong inpatient benefits.
Helpful for families who travel regularly or anticipate specialised care.

4. Foyer Santé (Médicis) – Flexible Top-Ups with Custom Options

Role: Provides supplementary cover for dental, outpatient, and alternative therapies.
Why families use it:

Highly configurable plans.
Strong for filling outpatient and non-CNS gaps.
Suitable for children needing orthodontics or parents seeking alternative medicine coverage.

5. AXA Luxembourg (OptiSoins) – Wellness and Outpatient-Focused Plans

Role: A well-known provider with extensive outpatient and wellness benefits.
Why families use it:

Good mix of traditional medical benefits plus preventative care.
Suitable for families needing cross-border access or frequent specialist visits.
Often recommended for parents who want predictable annual medical spending.

6. Allianz Care – International Family Medical Insurance

Role: Worldwide private health insurance with comprehensive inpatient and outpatient coverage.
Why families use it:

Excellent for families who anticipate moving again.
Covers maternity, dental, vision, evacuation, and global hospital networks.
Offers predictable service and simple claims processes.

7. Cigna Global – Modular Worldwide Plans

Role: Flexible international insurance with strong mental health, outpatient, and wellness features.
Why families use it:

Very customisable.
Perfect for families who want home-country access or multi-country coverage.
Ideal for long-term student programs, PhD households, and mobile academic careers.

8. Bupa Global – Premium International Coverage

Role: High-end worldwide insurance with extensive provider access.
Why families use it:

Short waiting times.
Exceptional care overseas, which is valuable for international travel.
Strong fit for families that prioritise premium service and fewer administrative hassles.

9. GeoBlue / IMG – US-Oriented and Global Plans

Role: International medical plans popular among non-EU students.
Why families use it:

Tailored to people who may need U.S. access for study, travel, or family visits.
Includes evacuation and emergency care benefits not available through CNS.
Suitable for students from countries with close ties to the U.S. system

10. Swisscare Student Europe – Budget Student Packages

Role: EU-wide insurance for international students with optional dependant coverage.
Why families use it:

Cost-effective.
Includes travel-style cover such as repatriation and emergency support.
Good choice for younger families, short-term stays, or lower budgets.

4. What to Look for When Comparing Family Health Plans

Choosing insurance for your family in Luxembourg is not just about finding the lowest price.
It’s about building a balanced, layered safety net.

Here are the coverage areas that deserve your closest attention:

a. Inpatient and Hospitalisation

CNS covers most hospital care, but not always at 100%.
Check whether the top-up plan offers:

Full reimbursement
Private room options
Specialist access without long waits

This makes a meaningful difference during maternity care or child hospital stays.

b. Outpatient and Everyday Care

GP visits are straightforward under CNS.
Outpatient gaps arise around:

Specialist consultations
Physiotherapy
Prescription glasses
Hearing tests

A supplementary plan can reduce your annual out-of-pocket spending substantially.

c. Dental and Orthodontics

This is a major cost area for families.
CNS pays only partial amounts, often at very low tariffs.

Choose a plan that specifies:

Annual dental limits
Orthodontics coverage for children
Waiting periods

Families with young children especially benefit from strong dental add-ons.

d. Maternity and Newborn Care

Luxembourg supports maternity care through CNS.
But private plans differ markedly in:

Waiting periods (often 8–12 months)
Private room access
Newborn coverage transitions

If you expect to expand your family during your study years, compare maternity terms carefully.

e. Mental Health and Psychology

CNS reimburses a portion of psychotherapy with approved providers.
However, session limits and approval requirements can be restrictive.

International insurers often include:

Broader mental health services
Virtual therapy
Higher annual coverage ceilings

This matters for parents managing stress or children adjusting to a new environment.

f. Travel, Evacuation, and Repatriation

CNS and EHIC do not cover:

Medical evacuation
Repatriation
Family travel support during emergencies

This is a risk area many families underestimate.

International plans (Cigna, Allianz, IMG) fill this gap and provide reassurance when travelling between countries.

5. Practical Tips for Building the Best Family Coverage Setup

1. Confirm Whether You’re an EU or Non-EU Student

Your legal status changes your entire insurance structure.

EU/EEA students can often rely on EHIC/S1 and simply affiliate with CNS locally. Their dependants may stay linked to the home insurer or register in Luxembourg.
Non-EU students almost always need direct CNS affiliation plus a supplementary international or local plan.

Knowing this early prevents administrative delays at enrolment and residency permit renewal.

2. Check Whether Your University or Employer Automatically Registers You

Some university programs include CNS contribution arrangements.
Some part-time student jobs offer supplementary insurance for the whole family.

Avoid paying twice by confirming before you purchase external cover.

3. Build a Shortlist Using a Simple Structure

Compare three categories:

Local top-up (e.g., DKV, CMCM, Foyer, AXA): Strong for daily care and hospitalisation within Luxembourg.
International private plans (e.g., Allianz Care, Cigna, Bupa): Best for maternity, travel, or multi-country families.
Budget student options (e.g., Swisscare): Works for families with minimal needs.

This two-layer approach (CNS + one top-up) suits most student families.

4. Review Five Critical Terms Before Signing Anything

These five points are often where unexpected expenses occur:

Deductible / Excess
Annual coverage limit
Maternity waiting period
Vaccination and paediatric coverage
Psychological/psychiatric caps

If you understand these terms, you avoid most hidden costs.

5. Share Your Family Details to Get Tailored Advice

Insurers will always ask:

Number of dependants
Ages
Travel habits
Budget
EU vs non-EU status

The right combination depends heavily on these specifics.
If you provide them, comparing plans becomes substantially easier—and cheaper.

A Strong, Affordable Coverage Setup Is Achievable

Luxembourg’s health system is one of Europe’s most structured.
And when used effectively, it gives student families high-quality medical access without overwhelming costs.

Start with CNS.
Then add a private or international plan based on your family’s real needs—not assumptions.

With the right structure, you can protect your spouse and children, stabilise your monthly expenses, and avoid gaps that become stressful in a foreign country.

References:

Caisse Nationale de Santé. (2024). Health insurance in Luxembourg: Affiliation, reimbursements, and benefits. https://cns.public.lu
CMCM. (2024). Supplementary health insurance plans and family coverage. https://www.cmcm.lu
DKV Luxembourg. (2024). Complementary health cover and hospitalisation benefits. https://www.dkv.lu
Foyer Santé. (2024). Médicis health insurance products. https://www.foyer.lu
AXA Luxembourg. (2024). OptiSoins supplementary health coverage. https://www.axa.lu
Allianz Care. (2024). International student and family medical insurance. https://www.allianzcare.com
Cigna Global. (2024). Global health insurance for students and expatriates. https://www.cignaglobal.com
Bupa Global. (2024). Worldwide health insurance plans. https://www.bupaglobal.com
GeoBlue. (2024). International medical insurance for students and families. https://www.geobblue.com
International Medical Group. (2024). IMG global medical insurance plans. https://www.imglobal.com
Swisscare. (2024). Student Europe insurance products. https://www.swisscare.com

Family Health Insurance in Luxembourg for International Students: A Practical Guide for Protecting Your Spouse and Children