Luxembourg Moves to Expand Financial Aid for Elderly in Nursing Homes

Elderly residents in Luxembourg who struggle to afford nursing home care may soon
receive much-needed financial relief, as Parliament advances a new support bill aimed
at covering care costs for the most vulnerable.

The parliamentary committee on family affairs has reviewed Bill 8114, which proposes a
financial supplement to be provided by the National Solidarity Fund (FNS). The
measure specifically targets older adults who cannot afford residential care, ensuring
that no senior is denied appropriate support due to financial hardship.

If approved, the new aid package is expected to take effect in January next year. The
proposed supplement would cover the difference between an individual’s income and
the actual cost of living in a retirement facility. With most care homes in Luxembourg
charging over €2,500 monthly, and the minimum pension sitting at €2,350 gross; the
current gap leaves many seniors at risk of inadequate care.

The bill builds on legislation introduced in 2023 that improved the quality and
transparency of services for the elderly. The current focus is on making financial
assistance more reflective of real care home costs, which vary widely depending on
services and room type.
Though originally introduced by the previous administration in 2022, the bill has been
updated by the current Minister for Family Affairs, Max Hahn. His amendments include
increasing the value of the supplement and ensuring that recipients are not forced to
sell their homes to qualify for aid. This means spouses or close relatives can continue
living at the senior’s former residence.

In parallel, efforts to provide culturally adapted care are also expanding. The Zitha
group is launching ‘Luzithano’, a dedicated project in Pétange that will offer specialized
healthcare services for elderly individuals from Portuguese-speaking communities. The
initiative will be hosted at the Pétange nursing home, which already serves a diverse
population, and will include rooms tailored to the needs of Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Angolan,
Brazilian, and other Lusophone residents.