12,578 Business Permit Applications Submitted in 2024

On Monday 21 July 2025, Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, accompanied by Théodore Biewer, Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Confederation, and Steve Martellini, Secretary General of Horesca, presented the 2024 review of the General Directorate for SMEs, Administrative Simplification, Craft and Retail, as well as the results of three surveys on residents' purchasing habits, cross-border customers and footfall in hospitality establishments.

According to Luxembourg's Ministry of the Economy, entrepreneurship remains dynamic in Luxembourg despite a complex economic context.

In 2024, the Ministry of the Economy received 12,578 business permit applications, including 5,741 for the creation of new businesses. These figures represent an increase compared to 2023.

A total of 4,335 certificates were issued in relation to requests from providers of occasional services from the European Union in 2024.

As part of the fifth action plan for SMEs, the ministry launched a series of surveys aimed at better understanding residents' consumption habits, particularly regarding their preferences for purchases made locally, in the Greater Region or online. Conducted every two years, these studies traditionally focus on retail, but for the first time include a specific component dedicated to the Horesca (hospitality) sector. Conducted by the ILRES institute in collaboration with the Luxembourg Confederation and Horesca, these surveys are said to provide valuable information to guide actions to promote the development of local businesses and establishments.

Following Minister Delles' speech on Monday, Theo Biewer of the Luxembourg Confederation presented the main results of the surveys on the purchasing habits of residents of Luxembourg and the Greater Region. For his part, Steve Martellini of Horesca focused on residents' visits to hospitality establishments.

Purchasing habits of Luxembourg residents

This initial study, conducted between 3 September and 4 October 2024 among 1,033 Luxembourg residents aged 18+, revealed that shops in municipalities are the most popular for shopping, generally once a week, while shopping centres are less popular. Around two-thirds of residents shop online, a rate that has remained stable since 2022, with a strong representation of 18-54-year-olds, primarily for clothing.

Overall, residents said they are well informed and satisfied with Luxembourg retail in terms of service and quality, although value for money remains perceived as a weakness compared to other countries. Challenges related to traffic, parking and the attractiveness of city centres persist as well.

Shopping habits of residents of the Greater Region

This second study, conducted between 15 October and 7 November 2024 among 1,570 residents of the three neighbouring countries, reportedly highlights the strong commercial appeal of Luxembourg for residents of the Greater Region. Most of them said they go to Luxembourg City for their purchases. Satisfaction with Luxembourg retail was found to be high in the three bordering countries due to the selection, service and staff in Luxembourg stores. Satisfaction exceeds that expressed by Luxembourg residents.

Residents' frequentation of Horesca establishments

The third study, conducted between 21 and 31 October 2024 among 1,029 Luxembourg residents aged 18+, revealed that two-thirds of respondents go to a restaurant at least once a month. Most reservations are still made via telephone (75%), although those under the age of 35 also use websites. The decisive criteria in choosing a restaurant are product quality (60%), value for money (50%) and service quality, the latter being more important for those aged 65+. Overall, service is rated highly, particularly in terms of hygiene, friendliness, atmosphere and a diverse offer. However, value for money remains a challenge for the sector.

Speaking about the 2024 assessment of business permits, Minister Delles said: "In the current uncertain economic climate, I am pleased to note that entrepreneurship remains dynamic in Luxembourg, given the increase in business permits and despite an increase in bankruptcies. The 2023 reform of the right of establishment has notably made it possible to remove obstacles to business creation, particularly in the crafts and creative professions, although starting one's own business today seems to be motivated more by necessity than by opportunity. Also, thanks to the digitalisation of exchanges with the trade register, we have a more precise and rapid vision of the evolution of the entrepreneurial fabric."