Politicians, Experts Discuss Luxembourg's Safety, Talent Strategy

An exclusive high-level event titled "Safe and Secure Luxembourg: Attracting and Retaining International Talent" brought together around 300 guests at Cercle Cité in Place d'Armes, Luxembourg City, on Wednesday 18 March 2026.

Initiated by the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg (BCC) and the British-Luxembourg Society (BLS), and organised in partnership with the City of Luxembourg (VdL), the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, several international chambers and Anderson Wise, the event provided insight into ongoing and upcoming safety initiatives from Luxembourg's Ministry of Home Affairs and the City of Luxembourg. Among the attendees were politicians, business representatives, diplomats, law enforcement officials and members of the international community.

Speakers addressed measures aimed at tackling evolving security challenges, as well as the government's strategy to safeguard Luxembourg's global image as a trusted and welcoming destination for international professionals and their families.

In his opening remarks, BCC Chairman Andrew Notter explained that the idea for the event stemmed from discussions between Darren Robinson (Anderson Wise) and Andrea Gentilini (ESMA), later developed with input from MP Laurent Mosar. He said the evening reflected "the spirit of Luxembourg: open, international collaboration driven by the belief that many great things start with a simple conversation". He also thanked the event partners and underlined the importance of strengthening Luxembourg's position as one of Europe's most secure and welcoming countries.

Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, then delivered a keynote address focusing on safety, security and talent attractiveness. He stressed that there is "no freedom without security" and that Luxembourg "must remain safe and attractive" for both people and businesses.

While acknowledging a rise in petty crime in recent years, the minister emphasised that Luxembourg remains among the safest countries worldwide. He noted that security is not only about statistics but also public perception. He outlined the Grand Ducal Police's "3Ps" approach - presence, proximity and prevention - supported by modern equipment and infrastructure.

Minister Gloden highlighted efforts to strengthen the police force, which currently comprises around 3,400 officers, including the recruitment of 200 new officers as part of the 2025/2026 campaign. Additional measures include reinforcing the criminal police, expanding local patrols introduced in 2024 and promoting community-focused initiatives (e.g. "Coffee with the Police") aimed at "bringing the police closer to citizens" to improve the feeling of safety.

He also addressed proposed legislative changes, including the "Platzverweis renforcé" draft law, which aims to strengthen powers to remove individuals who disturb public order or safety (e.g. people blocking entry or exit points of buildings). He argued that existing measures have proven insufficient in practice and expressed confidence that the bill would progress through parliament.

The minister further stressed the importance of modern police equipment and infrastructure, including the introduction of body cameras in July 2025, expanded video surveillance and simplified procedures. He noted ongoing cooperation between multiple ministries, law enforcement and local authorities to tackle issues such as drug-related crime, as well as the importance of international collaboration in addressing cross-border criminal activity.

Turning to talent attraction, Minister Gloden stressed that Luxembourg relies on an international workforce. He highlighted recent initiatives such as the "Work in Luxembourg" portal and the Talent Desk, as well as efforts to simplify administrative procedures and facilitate access to the labour market for third-country nationals and their families. He added that retention remains a key challenge, saying it is "not enough to attract talent"; Luxembourg must also "offer compelling reasons" for professionals to stay in the country long-term. The minister underlined the importance of preserving what makes Luxembourg strong and attractive, as well as embracing technology, investing in innovation, and ensuring sustainable social cohesion and security.

A fireside chat moderated by Luxembourg Times Editor-in-Chief Cordula Schnuer followed, featuring Andrew Notter, who is a founding partner at the Anderson Wise executive search and recruitment firm, and Muriel Morbé, Talent & Skills Director at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. The discussion focused on talent and recruitment trends and challenges.

The speakers highlighted that while Luxembourg continues to attract international talent, retention is often more challenging. They pointed to factors such as cost of living (especially housing costs), safety, education and employment opportunities for partners as key considerations for professionals considering a move to Luxembourg. They also noted the country's increasingly diversified economy, with growth in sectors such as technology and space alongside financial services.

The evening continued with a panel discussion bringing together Minister Gloden (CSV), Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer (DP), MP and city councillor Laurent Mosar (CSV), MP Liz Braz (LSAP) and restaurant owner Alexandre De Toffol (DP). The panellists discussed public perceptions of safety, policing measures and the impact of population growth. Mayor Polfer acknowledged concerns about uncivil behaviour in certain areas of the capital, particularly around the Gare district, and reiterated the city's longstanding call for increased police presence combining prevention and repression.

Liz Braz highlighted similarities between Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette, arguing that security challenges should also be addressed in the south - not just in the capital. She emphasised that repression alone would not resolve feelings of insecurity and advocated complementary social measures.

The discussion also touched on the judicial system, with Minister Gloden noting that repeat offenders are sometimes quickly released. He stressed the importance of continued cooperation with judicial authorities, noting that "today prosecution is a lot about data exchange". Panellists generally agreed that effective coordination between police, justice and other institutions is essential.

Participants also addressed the role of social media in shaping perceptions of crime. Alexandre De Toffol noted that entrepreneurs in Luxembourg City regularly faced criminal activity and a WhatsApp group with about 200 members, including business owners and residents, helped identify pickpockets, for example. While acknowledging that online content can amplify concerns, other speakers cautioned against misinformation and stressed the importance of reporting incidents to the police and allowing the authorities to carry out their work.

The panel also touched on the economic impact of security. Laurent Mosar stressed that "public safety is the foundation for competitiveness", noting that perceptions of safety influence not only residents but also businesses, investors and international talent. He also emphasised that Luxembourg's economic success depends on migration and "expats". Similarly, Lydie Polfer recalled that "Luxembourg is a land of immigration" and this diversity generally works well, as long as everyone continues to respect one another and society's values.

While Luxembourg remains a safe country overall, the panel acknowledged that continued efforts are needed to address both real and perceived security challenges, alongside measures to attract and retain international talent.

The discussion was followed by a Q&A session with the audience, which touched on topics including safety in train stations and on public transport, awareness-raising initiatives in schools and planned reforms to the judicial system.

The conversation continued over a networking cocktail.

(Pictured, L-R: Léon Gloden, Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs; Lydie Polfer, Mayor of Luxembourg City; Laurent Mosar, MP and city councillor; Liz Braz, MP; Alexandre De Toffol, restaurant owner)