CNS in Luxembourg: Health Insurance for Ukrainians and Document Translation

A visit to a general practitioner in Luxembourg costs 59.50 euros, but CNS will reimburse 88% of that - if you’re properly registered in the system. Without a matriculation number and without affiliation, you’re paying the full amount out of pocket. And for Ukrainians under temporary protection, there’s a separate registration process that surprisingly few people know about. Let’s break down how Luxembourg’s healthcare system works, what you need to translate, and how to make sure you’re not left without medical care.

What is CNS and why does it matter¶

CNS (Caisse Nationale de Santé - National Health Fund) is Luxembourg’s single state health insurance fund that covers approximately 99% of the population. Since 2008, all former private and sectoral health funds merged into one structure, so CNS is essentially the entire health insurance system in the country.

If you work, live, or have temporary protection in Luxembourg - you must be registered with CNS. Without it, every doctor’s visit, every lab test, and every prescription means paying full price out of your own pocket.

CNS covers:

• General practitioner and specialist visits
• Hospitalization
• Dental care (partially)
• Prescription medication
• Laboratory tests
• Physiotherapy
• Preventive check-ups and vaccinations
• Long-term care (assurance dépendance)

How to register with CNS: step-by-step¶

The registration process depends on your status in Luxembourg. Here are the three main scenarios:

If you’re employed¶

The easiest path - your employer registers you automatically. They submit an application to CCSS (Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale - Joint Social Security Centre), and you receive a confirmation letter by mail with your 13-digit matriculation number. This number is your key to the entire social security system. Without it, no doctor can process a reimbursement through CNS.

Contributions: 5.60% of your gross salary is deducted from your pay, and your employer pays an additional 2.80%.

If you have temporary protection¶

Temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended until March 4, 2027. After receiving your temporary protection certificate, you’re automatically registered with CNS - the state covers your contributions. This means full access to healthcare on equal terms with other residents.

But here’s the catch: automatic registration doesn’t always kick in immediately. On a Luxtoday forum, one user shared that after registering for temporary protection, their CNS number didn’t appear in the database automatically. They couldn’t book a doctor’s appointment through the system until they contacted CNS directly and submitted a one-page application. After that, the affiliation showed up within a few days.

Tip: after receiving temporary protection, check if you’re in the CNS database. Call the hotline at (+352) 2757-1 or go to myguichet.lu and verify your status.

If you haven’t received temporary protection yet¶

Before your temporary protection is processed, you can get free medical care at Maison Médicale in Luxembourg City - even without a matriculation number and without CNS affiliation. General practitioners see patients there, and you don’t need insurance or registration. This is a crucial detail that many Ukrainians aren’t aware of, and they end up postponing medical visits unnecessarily.

Voluntary insurance¶

If you’re not employed and don’t have temporary protection (for example, you’ve joined a family member) - you can sign up for voluntary insurance through CCSS. The monthly contribution is approximately 151.41 euros (as of 2026).

How much CNS reimburses: the rates¶

The key feature of Luxembourg’s system - you pay the doctor the full amount first, then CNS reimburses a portion. This is called tiers-payant (direct payment system) or remboursement (reimbursement).

Reimbursement rates:

Important: CNS only reimburses based on the official tariff. If the doctor charges more (and some do) - you cover the difference.

Real prices for doctor visits¶

Night calls from a GP can add up to 102.10 euros, and a pediatrician house call at night can reach 142.30 euros. CNS reimburses these surcharges too, but at its own rate.

PID system: pay less upfront¶

Some doctors in Luxembourg use the PID system (paiement immédiat direct) - in this case, CNS pays its share directly to the doctor, and you only pay your 12% on the spot (or 0% for children). Ask the doctor when booking whether they support PID - it’ll save you time and the hassle of filing for reimbursement.

Which medical documents need translation¶

If you’ve brought medical documents from Ukraine and want to show them to a doctor or submit them to CNS, you’ll need a sworn translation. Here are the typical situations:

Documents for CNS and social security¶

• Medical certificate (form 086) or hospital discharge summary
• Disability certificate (for assurance dépendance applications)
• Medical examination results
• Pregnancy certificate (for maternity benefits)

Documents for doctors¶

• Medical history extract (especially for chronic conditions)
• Test results and imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound)
• Prescriptions (to continue ongoing treatment)
• Vaccination records (Impfpass) - especially for enrolling children in school or Maison Relais

Documents for Pflegegrad (assurance dépendance)¶

If you’re caring for an elderly or sick relative from Ukraine:

• Health status certificate
• Hospital discharge summaries
• Doctor’s prescriptions and treatment plans

For medical documents, it’s important to choose a translator who understands medical terminology. A general sworn translator might not know the difference between MRI terms in Ukrainian and French. You can check the translator list on the Ministry of Justice website or find a specialist with a medical background through ALTI.

Which language to translate medical documents into¶

Luxembourg has three official languages, but for medical documents the choice is straightforward:

Tip: for documents going to CNS or government agencies - go with French. For communicating with a specific doctor - ask which language they prefer. Many doctors in Luxembourg speak several languages, so this is rarely an issue.

Prices for sworn translation of medical documents in Luxembourg run 40-70 euros per page. If you have a lengthy hospital discharge summary of 10+ pages, it might make sense to translate only the summary and diagnosis rather than the entire document. Discuss this with both the translator and the doctor - a full translation might not be necessary.

Mutuelles: supplementary insurance¶

CNS covers 80-100% at the official tariff, but the gap between the tariff and the doctor’s actual price, plus certain services (glasses, orthodontics, private hospital room) aren’t covered by CNS. That’s where mutuelles come in - supplementary insurance funds.

Main mutuelles in Luxembourg:

• CMCM (Caisse Médico-Complémentaire Mutualiste) - the largest, covers the gap between CNS tariffs and actual prices
• Mutualité de la Fonction Publique - for civil servants
• DKV, AXA, Foyer - private insurance with extended coverage

A mutuelle costs from 10-15 euros per month for basic coverage. For families with children, it can be worth it, especially if orthodontics or regular specialist visits with surcharges are on the horizon.

How to get reimbursed by CNS¶

The reimbursement process is simple, but has its nuances:

1. Visit the doctor and pay - get the invoice (mémoire d’honoraires)
2. Submit the invoice to CNS - through myguichet.lu, by mail, or in person at a CNS office
3. Receive reimbursement - usually within 2-3 weeks to your bank account

If the doctor uses the PID system - steps 2 and 3 aren’t needed, CNS pays the doctor directly.

Important limitation: CNS reimburses a maximum of 12 doctor visits per semester (6 months), and no more than 2 visits within a 7-day period. You don’t need a referral from a GP to see a specialist - you can book directly with any doctor.

EHIC card: healthcare abroad¶

If you’re registered with CNS, you’re entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card gives you access to medical care in other EU countries on the same terms as local residents.

You can order an EHIC through myguichet.lu or by calling CNS. The card is free and valid for 2 years. It’s especially useful if you travel to Germany, Belgium, or France - neighboring countries that are just a 30-minute drive away.

FAQ¶

Do I have to pay for medical care before receiving temporary protection?¶

No. Before temporary protection is processed, Ukrainians can get free care at Maison Médicale in Luxembourg City. No referral, insurance, or matriculation number is required.

How much does CNS health insurance cost in Luxembourg?¶

For employees - 5.60% of gross salary (automatically deducted). For those under temporary protection - free, the state covers it. For voluntary insurance - approximately 151 euros per month.

Do I need a sworn translation of medical documents for CNS?¶

Yes, if you’re submitting medical documents from Ukraine to CNS or another government body. For a doctor’s visit, a regular translation or even a verbal explanation might suffice - but for official applications (disability, maternity, reimbursement claims) you need a sworn translation.

Which language should I translate medical documents into for Luxembourg?¶

French is the safest choice for CNS and government agencies. German is also accepted. For a specific doctor - ask which language they prefer. The list of sworn translators from Ukrainian is available on the Ministry of Justice website.

How long does it take to get reimbursed by CNS?¶

Usually 2-3 weeks after submitting the invoice. If the doctor uses the PID system, reimbursement happens automatically and you only pay your share on the spot (12% for adults).