The innovative taxi service concept Uber is planning a Luxembourg market entry; with just Malta and Cyprus, along with the Grand Duchy, the only European countries not yet on the Uber map, The Luxembourg Chronicle understands that discussions have been underway with the Luxembourg government, including representatives of the Ministy for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, which has Transport under its umbrella.
While the entry of Uber into the Luxembourg market would be consistent with the aims of the third industrial revolution, the main issues are understood to be two-fold. Firstly, the issue of taxation and that private taxis cannot be called into action without at least one hour's notice; however, this could be changed by ministerial decree and would not require legislation
for change; and, secondly, the issue of employment - as in other countries, the issue of drivers being self-employed or being employees of Uber, which would therefore be obliged to pay social security and other charges, is unclear as the law is vague and needs clarification.
The taxi companies currently operating in Luxembourg are understood to be against the introduction of Uber into the Grand Duchy, but are likely to have to give way to innvoation, just like hoteliers have had to contend with AirBnB...
