Luxembourg – Postal Service

What is the postal service in Luxembourg and who are the main providers?

POST Luxembourg traces its origins to 1842, when it was established as a public administration. It became a state-owned limited company in 1992 and has since grown into one of Luxembourg’s most prominent national institutions. Its activities extend well beyond the simple delivery of letters and packages: POST Luxembourg is the leading provider of postal, telecommunications (including mobile, internet, and television), and financial services in the country. This broad remit places it closer in character to the traditional integrated postal-banking models historically common in continental Europe than to operators such as Royal Mail, whose primary focus remains postal delivery.

POST Luxembourg serves both residential and business customers, with supplementary activities encompassing postal financial services and philately. The scale of the organisation is significant within Luxembourg’s economy: the POST Luxembourg Group recorded sales of €978 million in 2024, representing a 1% increase over the prior year.

Luxembourg’s postal market is not an exclusive state monopoly. Several other carriers are active in the country, many of them large international groups. DHL has a presence in Luxembourg and provides domestic and cross-border shipping, express delivery, freight forwarding, and comprehensive logistics solutions. Other major private operators including FedEx, UPS, DPD, and TNT are also established in the country, giving both businesses and individuals a broad selection of options for urgent or high-value shipments. It is worth noting that POST Luxembourg’s own transport services do not cover express delivery — customers requiring express shipping will need to turn to providers such as DHL or TNT.

Oversight of the postal sector rests with the Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation (ILR), which reviews and approves changes to tariffs and ensures that the universal service obligation continues to be met. Under the provisions of the law of 26 December 2012 on postal services, the ILR approved the new tariffs applied by POST Luxembourg for the first weight category (up to 50g) of postal items falling within the universal service. Further information about the regulatory framework is available at www.ilr.lu, while full service details can be found at www.post.lu.

How fast and reliable is postal delivery in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg’s compact size — roughly comparable in area to a large city — works in favour of efficient domestic mail delivery. Standard letters and parcels sent within the country generally arrive within one to two business days. The well-established distribution network, combined with the country’s small geographic footprint, means that service quality is broadly consistent regardless of where in Luxembourg a recipient is located, without the regional disparities that can affect much larger nations.

For mail heading abroad, delivery times naturally depend on the destination. Shipments to other European countries can typically be expected within five to seven working days, while packages travelling to other continents or more distant parts of the world may take between nine and fifteen days, depending on customs processing and conditions at the receiving end. These timescales are broadly consistent with standard international postal services elsewhere in the EU.

Tracking is something expats should pay close attention to, as it is not automatically included with every shipment. POST Luxembourg offers tracking as an additional feature on certain services, so if knowing the whereabouts of your letter or parcel at every stage matters to you, check in advance whether tracking is offered for the service you are using and purchase it separately if necessary. For registered and insured items, tracking is generally provided as standard. Where tracking is available, customers receive a reference number at the point of posting and can follow their shipment in real time.

Following the tariff revision of February 2025, POST Luxembourg’s postal charges remain below both the European average and the rates applied by neighbouring countries. This is a positive sign that the service is staying competitive despite the broader decline in letter volumes observed across Europe in recent years.

What additional services are available at post offices in Luxembourg?

POST Luxembourg operates as a genuine multi-service public hub, more akin to La Poste in France or An Post in Ireland than to operators whose activities are limited to mail delivery. The breadth of services on offer at POST branches can be particularly valuable for newly arrived expats who are still putting the foundations of daily life in place.

Having evolved from its origins as a letters-and-parcels carrier, POST now provides a comprehensive range of financial products through POST Finance. Customers can open a bank account directly at POST branches and, depending on the package chosen, access V-Pay or Visa debit cards, online banking, mobile payment through Payconiq, arranged overdraft facilities, and insurance products. For expats who have not yet established a relationship with a traditional bank, POST branches offer a practical and accessible starting point.

Among the more distinctive service offerings is the Smart Postcard option, which allows users to transform personal photographs into physical postcards sent from a smartphone or tablet. Cards can be personalised with text, filters, and even embedded videos before being dispatched directly to the recipient. On a more day-to-day level, POST provides mail forwarding and temporary retention services — a useful feature for those who are moving house, travelling abroad, or temporarily absent and wish to have letters and newspapers redirected to another address or held until their return.

Postal workers can visit customers at home to handle postage and mail registration, removing the need to travel to a branch in person. POST offices also stock stamps, philatelic items, and prepaid packaging, and can process money transfers. A wide range of online tools and mobile applications is available for parcel tracking, bank transfers, postcard sending, and more. The multilingual customer service line (8002 8004) operates in four languages, seven days a week.

Does the postal service deliver to every address in Luxembourg?

The postal network in Luxembourg is well organised and provides coverage across urban centres, smaller towns, and rural localities alike. Given the country’s limited size and dense infrastructure, there are none of the significant rural service gaps that can affect delivery in much larger countries. Home delivery is effectively universal, and expats based outside the capital — whether in the Ardennes region in the north or in the rural communities to the south and east — can expect delivery standards broadly comparable to those enjoyed by residents of Luxembourg City.

For occasions when home delivery is missed or simply inconvenient, POST Luxembourg has developed a comprehensive alternative collection network under the PackUp brand. The system operates at three levels: PackUp Home allows you to nominate a designated safe spot at your property — such as a covered terrace, garden storage area, or a trusted neighbour — where parcels can be left when you are not home; the PackUp 24/24 network comprises more than a hundred automated stations spread across the country, accessible around the clock; and PackUp Points are located at post offices, petrol stations, retail shops, and other convenient venues throughout Luxembourg, with extended and varied opening hours.

PackUp locations have their own dedicated postcode range, all beginning with 0, with the second digit corresponding to the standard postal code for that area. For example, a PackUp address with postcode 0161 falls within the City of Luxembourg. This distinct numbering system makes it easy to address parcels directly to a PackUp station without ambiguity.

All PackUp solutions are free to use. Registration is done online at www.mypost.lu, after which delivery staff can begin leaving parcels at your chosen location. For expats whose working hours frequently take them away from home during standard delivery windows — particularly those commuting to offices in Luxembourg City or into neighbouring countries — signing up for PackUp as soon as you arrive is strongly advisable.

How do you write a postal address in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg addresses follow a defined structure. The first line carries the full name of the person being addressed, with the option of including a title and writing the family name in capitals to avoid any ambiguity. The complete address should fit within a maximum of six lines.

The standard layout for a residential address is:

1. Recipient’s full name (e.g. Jean Muller or M. Jean MULLER)
2. House or building number and street name (e.g. 10, Rue de la Poste)
3. Postcode and locality — the four-digit postcode appears first, followed by the town name in capitals (e.g. L-1011 LUXEMBOURG)
4. Country — for international mail only, write LUXEMBOURG in capitals on the final line

A correctly formatted Luxembourg address might look like this:

Marie Dupont
45, Avenue de la Gare
L-1611 LUXEMBOURG
LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg has three official languages — Luxembourgish, French, and German — and addresses may legitimately be written in any of these. In practice, French predominates for addressing mail, especially in and around the capital and throughout the southern part of the country. When sending mail from abroad, always place “LUXEMBOURG” in capital letters on the final line as the country identifier.

In rural areas where streets have not been formally named, the name of the village is written on the second line, with the nearest larger settlement appearing on the third line, the remaining address elements following in their usual positions. One formatting point worth noting: Luxembourg addresses closely resemble the French convention, with the key differences being that the postcode consists of four digits rather than five, and the optional country prefix preceding the postcode is “L-” — for example, L-1316.

How do you find or look up a postcode in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg’s postcode system is entirely numeric, with each code consisting of four digits. The opening digit indicates the broad region of the country, though this geographical division does not map precisely onto the country’s official administrative boundaries of districts and cantons. Luxembourg’s four-digit “Code postal” format is numerically similar in concept to the US ZIP code system, though ZIP codes contain five digits compared to Luxembourg’s four.

The regional breakdown by leading digit is as follows:

• Postcodes beginning with 1 or 2 correspond to Luxembourg City.
• Postcodes beginning with 3 cover areas to the south of the capital.
• Postcodes beginning with 4 apply to the city of Esch-sur-Alzette.
• Postcodes beginning with 5 relate to the south-eastern part of the country.
• Postcodes beginning with 6 cover the north-eastern region.
• Postcodes beginning with 7 are found north of the capital.
• Postcodes beginning with 8 correspond to the western region.
• Postcodes beginning with 9 cover the northern part of the country.

In larger municipalities, individual streets each carry their own postcode, while smaller communities typically share a single code for the entire locality. Large organisations, such as major corporations, may be assigned their own dedicated postcode. The “L-” prefix is the standard formal convention when writing postcodes in addresses — for instance, L-2240 — but is often left out in everyday domestic correspondence.

The POST Luxembourg website includes a postcode search tool that allows users to look up a code by town, village, or company name, and to identify which street corresponds to a given code. This tool is available at www.post.lu and should be considered the authoritative reference for verifying addresses before sending any important items. The Luxembourg government’s Guichet.lu portal also provides address validation functionality for residents.

What should expats know about sending and receiving international mail and parcels in Luxembourg?

As a European Union member state, Luxembourg benefits from the EU single market framework when it comes to cross-border shipments within the bloc. Mail, parcels, and pallets sent between EU countries are not subject to customs checks at internal borders, and no customs documentation is required. This means that exchanging packages with friends, family, or online retailers in France, Germany, Belgium, or any other EU member state is entirely straightforward, with no import duties or customs declarations involved.

Different rules apply to mail moving between Luxembourg and countries outside the EU, including the United Kingdom following its departure from the bloc. Since Brexit, all packages travelling to or from the UK must pass through customs, making them subject to VAT and potentially other duties or import charges. Shipping to the UK via POST Luxembourg remains possible, but it is advisable to check current customs requirements with the Administration des douanes et accises (Luxembourg Customs) before dispatching high-value or potentially regulated goods.

Postage rates for international mail were revised in February 2025. From 1 February 2025, sending a standard letter weighing up to 50g costs €1.20 within Luxembourg, €1.70 to European destinations, and €2.40 to addresses in the rest of the world. Parcel prices are calculated according to weight and destination, with parcels categorised into bands from XS through to XXL, accommodating shipments up to a maximum of 30kg depending on where they are going. Current rates should always be verified at www.post.lu, as they are subject to periodic revision.

A particularly helpful service for expats who shop from international online retailers is PackUp Import. This service provides you with a delivery address in either France or Germany for use with retailers that do not ship directly to Luxembourg. POST then collects your item and transfers it to a PackUp 24/24 station or PackUp Point of your choosing within Luxembourg. To use PackUp Import, register free of charge at www.mypost.lu. Each forwarded package incurs a charge of €6.45 inclusive of VAT as of 2025.

For added peace of mind on valuable international shipments, POST Luxembourg provides an optional insurance product called SecurPack. The cost of cover is set at 1% of the declared shipment value, with a minimum premium of €10. Always confirm the current terms and charges on the official POST Luxembourg website, as these details may change over time.

Are there any known issues or practical tips for using the postal service in Luxembourg?

POST Luxembourg is widely regarded as reliable, and most expats find using it to be relatively uncomplicated. Nevertheless, a few practical points are worth keeping in mind before you start sending and receiving mail.

Set up your MyPost account without delay. Registering at www.mypost.lu gives you access to the full suite of PackUp services from the outset. Once registered, you can select whichever PackUp arrangement suits your routine, and delivery staff will be able to act accordingly. This is especially beneficial in the initial weeks after a move, when your schedule at home during delivery hours may not yet be established.

Language at the post office counter. Luxembourg’s three official languages are Luxembourgish, French, and German. In practice, staff at branches in Luxembourg City and larger towns are often able to assist in English as well. However, written notices, forms, and much of the website’s interface are primarily available in the three official languages. Making use of the online services where possible, or calling the multilingual customer service line, can help get around any language barriers.

Value stamps without a printed denomination. POST Luxembourg issues stamps with no face value displayed — for example, an “L50g” stamp remains valid indefinitely for sending a standard domestic letter up to 50g, regardless of any future tariff increases. Buying a booklet of these stamps means you will not need to top up postage after price changes come into effect.

Arranging mail forwarding when you move or depart. POST Luxembourg offers a mail redirection service that will forward your correspondence to a new address — useful both for holidays back in your home country and for when your time in Luxembourg comes to an end and you leave permanently. This can be set up through www.mypost.lu or arranged at any POST branch.

Dealing with retailers that won’t ship to Luxembourg. Because Luxembourg is a small market, some international e-commerce platforms do not offer direct delivery. The PackUp Import service provides a practical solution by giving you a collection address in France or Germany, after which POST forwards your parcel to a pickup point of your choice. This workaround is widely used by residents and is well worth knowing about before you encounter the problem for the first time.

Precision matters when it comes to postcodes. In larger towns across Luxembourg, every street has its own unique four-digit postcode. Entering the wrong code — even by a single digit — can send your mail to a completely different part of a municipality. Always use the postcode finder on the POST Luxembourg website to confirm any address before posting something important.

Frequently asked questions

What is the name of the national postal service in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg’s national postal operator is POST Luxembourg, a state-owned company whose history stretches back to 1842. All postal, parcel, and financial services are detailed on its official website at www.post.lu.

How much does it cost to send a letter from Luxembourg in 2025?

From 1 February 2025, a standard letter of up to 50g costs €1.20 for domestic delivery within Luxembourg, €1.70 for destinations across Europe, and €2.40 for the rest of the world. Charges for heavier letters and parcels differ — consult the current tariff table at www.post.lu for a full breakdown.

Can I open a bank account at a Luxembourg post office?

Yes. POST Luxembourg provides retail banking through its POST Finance division, which is accessible at POST branches. Services include account opening, debit and credit card issuance, online banking, and mobile payment options. This can be a convenient first port of call for newly arrived expats who have not yet established banking arrangements elsewhere.

What should I do if I miss a parcel delivery in Luxembourg?

POST Luxembourg’s PackUp service addresses precisely this situation. Options include PackUp Home, which lets you designate a safe spot on your property where parcels can be left in your absence; PackUp 24/24, a network of more than 100 automated lockers available around the clock; and PackUp Points located at shops, petrol stations, and similar venues with generous opening hours. Sign up free at www.mypost.lu to activate these services.

How do I find the correct postcode for an address in Luxembourg?

The official postcode search tool on the POST Luxembourg website at www.post.lu allows you to look up codes by town, street, or company name. Luxembourg postcodes consist of four digits and are often written with the “L-” prefix (e.g. L-2240). Because individual streets in larger towns have their own codes, always confirm the postcode before sending important correspondence.

Do I need to fill in a customs form when sending a parcel from Luxembourg to another EU country?

No. Customs declarations are not required for letters or parcels sent between EU member states. If, however, you are sending to a non-EU country — including the UK, the USA, or Switzerland — you will need to complete a customs declaration form (CN22 or CN23). Check the latest requirements at www.post.lu or on the Luxembourg Customs website (www.do.etat.lu) before sending.

What if an online shop doesn’t deliver to Luxembourg?

POST Luxembourg’s PackUp Import service assigns you a delivery address in France or Germany, which you can provide to retailers who do not ship directly to Luxembourg. POST then collects the parcel and forwards it to a PackUp station or collection point of your choice in Luxembourg. The forwarding fee is €6.45 inclusive of VAT per package as of 2025. Register at www.mypost.lu to get started.

Are post office services available in languages other than French, German, and Luxembourgish?

The POST Luxembourg customer service line — reachable on 8002 8004 from within Luxembourg and +352 2462 8004 from abroad — operates in four languages, seven days a week. Counter staff at branches in larger towns can often assist in additional languages as well. The POST website and most written materials are primarily in French, German, and Luxembourgish, so a translation app may be helpful when dealing with written notices or correspondence.