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Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Overview:
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a landlocked country in northern Europe surrounded by Belgium to the west, France to the south and Germany to the east. Per capita, it is the richest country in the EU as well as being one of its smallest. It is largely made up of rolling hills and forests.
The most important sectors of Luxembourg’s economy in 2013 were the financial and insurance activities (26.9 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (17.4 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (16.1 %).
Luxembourg’s main export partners are Germany, France and Belgium while its main import partners are Belgium, Germany and France.
Capital:
Luxembourg
Geographical size:
2 586 km2
Population:
562 958 (2015)
Population as % of total EU:
0.1 % (2015)
Gross domestic product (GDP):
€ 52.112 billion (2015)
Official EU language(s):
French, German
Political system:
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
EU member country since:
1 January 1958
Seats in the European Parliament:
6
Currency:
Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999
Schengen area member?:
Yes, Schengen Area member since 26 March 1995.
Presidency of the Council:
Luxembourg has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1960 and 2015.
Read more:
Luxembourg in the EU
European Parliament
There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Luxembourg. Find out who these MEPs are.
European Parliament office in Luxembourg
Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Luxembourg government, depending on the policy area being addressed.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Luxembourg presidencies:
Jan-Jun 1960 | Jan-Jun 1963 | Jan-Jun 1966 | Jan-Jun 1969 | Jan-Jun 1972 | Jan-Jun 1976 | Jul-Dec 1980 | Jul-Dec 1985 | Jan-Jun 1991 | Jul-Dec 1997 | Jan-Jun 2005 | Jul-Dec 2015
More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.
European Commission
The President of the European Commission is Jean-Claude Juncker, from Luxembourg.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".
Commission representation in Luxembourg
European Economic & Social Committee
Luxembourg has 5 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.
Committee of the Regions
Luxembourg has 5 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.
Permanent representation to the EU
Luxembourg also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Luxembourg's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.
Budgets and Funding
How much does Luxembourg contribute and receive?
Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.
Breakdown of Luxembourg’s finances with the EU in 2014:
- Total EU spending in Luxembourg – € 1.714 billion
- Total EU spending as % of Luxembourg gross national income (GNI) – 5.81 %
- Total Luxembourg contribution to the EU budget – € 0.232 billion
- Luxembourg contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.79 %
More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:
EU-funded projects in Luxembourg
The money paid into the EU budget by Luxembourg helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.
Find out more about how Luxembourg benefits from EU funding.