On Wednesday 2 April 2025, Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies (Parliament) adopted Bill No. 8435 amending the Law on Cultural Heritage, which was tabled by Minister of Culture, Eric Thill, in August 2024.
In a press release, the Ministry of Culture said that this amendment aimed to strengthen the efficiency and clarity of the legal framework and administrative procedures introduced in 2022, which laid the foundations for a modern and comprehensive approach to the protection, conservation and development of cultural heritage in Luxembourg.
The main adjustments are:
- in accordance with the coalition agreement, Luxembourg will cover the full costs incurred by preventive archaeological excavations, which were previously covered at 50%. This amendment, retroactive to 1 January 2025, will reduce construction costs amid the crisis in the real estate sector;
- introduction of objective criteria for the classification of cultural assets as national cultural heritage, which must be met cumulatively. These criteria include authenticity and integrity, exemplary nature, rarity and the object's state of conservation;
- creation of a list of cultural assets of heritage interest, aimed at recognising and promoting cultural assets which, although they do not meet all the criteria listed above, are of significant heritage interest.
Minister Thill welcomed the adoption of this law, commenting: "Thanks to these targeted adjustments, we are consolidating the achievements of the Cultural Heritage Act and facilitating its implementation on the ground."
The ministry added that fully covering the costs of preventive archaeological excavations will provide direct support and greater predictability to project owners. This is considered an important step towards ensuring effective protection of Luxembourg’s heritage, while streamlining administrative procedures.
The amended law will come into force in the coming weeks, following its publication in the Official Journal.
HOM
