legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Child care
There is no specific child care for the children of asylum seekers and parents must therefore
make their own arrangements.
Unaccompanied minors
There are no special reception facilities for unaccompanied minors without families in
Luxembourg. In practice, they are accommodated in various institutions for minors throughout the
country.
Unaccompanied minors may be allocated a guardian by the “juge des tutelles”, a special judge
appointed by the Childrens’ Court, responsible for guardianship issues. The guardian may be a
family member or a social worker (for example from Caritas). In addition, all minors are
automatically appointed a lawyer to represent them at all stages of the asylum procedure.
Most of the 22 unaccompanied minors registered in 1999 were minors aged 16-17, with family
members living in Luxembourg, who could take care of them.
Health/sickness
Asylum seekers are entitled to free medical assistance and may choose their own doctor.
Expenses are met by the CGE on the same basis as for nationals, which means that asylum
seekers have to pay a contribution to the costs. In some cases, the CGE may grant additional
support to cover this contribution. For dental treatment, asylum seekers are required to pay
approximately 30% of the costs.
Freedom of movement
Asylum seekers may travel freely within Luxembourg, but may not leave the country.
Repatriation
Asylum seekers who wish to repatriate whilst their application is pending can be assisted in so
doing by the CGE and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Generally, they will be
asked to confirm in writing that they withdraw their claim. If their departure is certain, they will be
issued with an authorisation to stay in the country, valid until the date of departure.
Since April 2000, asylum seekers from the Balkans, either in the procedure or after rejection of
their claim, have been able to receive financial assistance, the amount of which varies as follows,
according to when repatriation takes place:
Date of repatriation Adult Child
During the procedure LUF 48,000 EUR 1,190 LUF 24,000 EUR 595
Within 3 months after rejection LUF 48,000 EUR 1,190 LUF 24,000 EUR 595
Within 3-5 months after rejection LUF 32,000 EUR 793 LUF 16,000 EUR 793
Within 5-6 months after rejection LUF 16,000 EUR 397 LUF 8,000 EUR 198
In principle, rejected asylum seekers who repatriate later than six months after notification of the
final rejection are not entitled to any financial assistance.
In August 1999, the Luxembourg government adopted a repatriation programme for persons from
Kosovo, which included following measures:
– one-off payment of a sum equal to three times the monthly basic allowance;
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