Apartment Renovation in Luxembourg 2026: Prices, Rules and Grants
Renovating an apartment in Luxembourg costs between €500 and €1,800/m² depending on the scope of works, and can exceed €2,000/m² for premium finishes. But apartment renovation is subject to specific rules that are too often overlooked: co-ownership constraints on anything affecting common areas, differentiated access to state grants, the impossibility of improving your EPC individually, and 3% VAT that can generate up to €50,000 in savings. This guide gives you real prices in 2026, a complete map of free and authorisation-required works, available grants and the step-by-step method for running your project in Luxembourg.
What fundamentally distinguishes apartment renovation in Luxembourg
Renovating an apartment and renovating a house appear to be the same thing — paint, kitchen, bathroom, electrics. In reality, these are two very different exercises in Luxembourg, with distinct legal rules, grant access and logistical constraints.
Co-ownership: a freedom governed by the Act of 16 May 1975
When you own an apartment, you hold your private lot — but you share with the other co-owners a proportion of the common areas: roof, facades, load-bearing structure, rising plumbing columns, stairwell, lift. Co-ownership in Luxembourg is governed by the Act of 16 May 1975, most recently amended by the Act of 30 June 2022. Any work affecting common areas requires authorisation voted at a general meeting. Acting without this authorisation exposes you to forced reinstatement at the defaulting co-owner’s expense.
The EPC is calculated at building level, not apartment level
This is the key difference for access to energy renovation grants. In Luxembourg, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is drawn up for the entire building — not for each apartment individually. A co-owner cannot improve their energy class alone, nor access Klimabonus grants for works carried out solely within their private lot. To benefit from the Klimabonus on an apartment, the process must be collective: the co-ownership votes on joint energy renovation works and the management body submits the grant application.
The 3% VAT remains accessible — and it is the main grant
Good news: the super-reduced 3% VAT (instead of 17%) applies to renovation works on an apartment used as a primary residence. This benefit does not depend on the co-ownership and can be claimed by each co-owner individually for their private works. It is generally the most significant grant accessible for a standard apartment renovation in Luxembourg.
More demanding site logistics
Renovating an apartment means working in a confined space, with neighbours above, below and alongside. Access for materials is restricted, construction noise is regulated by co-ownership rules, and a water leak during works can cause damage to neighbours. This logistical reality often results in slightly higher labour costs than for detached houses.
As a rule, you do not need a building permit to renovate the interior of your apartment in Luxembourg, as long as you do not touch load-bearing structures or common areas. However, check with your municipality: some require a declaration even for minor modifications such as window replacement.
Apartment renovation prices in Luxembourg 2026
The cost of apartment renovation in Luxembourg varies considerably depending on the scope of the project, the initial condition of the property and the desired finish level. Here are the reference ranges for 2026.
| Type of renovation | Price per m² | 50 m² apartment | 80 m² apartment | 100 m² apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshening up (paint, floors, lighting) | €500 – €800/m² | €25,000 – €40,000 | €40,000 – €64,000 | €50,000 – €80,000 |
| Partial renovation (kitchen or bathroom + finishes) | €800 – €1,200/m² | €40,000 – €60,000 | €64,000 – €96,000 | €80,000 – €120,000 |
| Complete renovation (all trades) | €1,200 – €1,800/m² | €60,000 – €90,000 | €96,000 – €144,000 | €120,000 – €180,000 |
| Premium (premium materials, custom fittings) | from €2,000/m² | from €100,000 | from €160,000 | from €200,000 |
Sources: data collected by Renov.lu from partner craftsmen in Luxembourg — 2026. Indicative ranges incl. VAT at 3% for a property over 10 years old used as primary residence. Allow 10 to 15% extra for contingencies.
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Simulate my project →Factors that affect the budget
Initial condition is the primary factor: a 1970s apartment that has not been renovated will often hide surprises (non-compliant electrics, old plumbing, damp behind tiles). Always allow a contingency reserve of at least 10 to 15%. Floor level and accessibility affect costs: a high-floor apartment without a goods lift involves a surcharge for materials delivery and rubble removal. Finish level can multiply material costs by 3 or 4. Finally, location: Luxembourg craftsmen generally charge more in Luxembourg City and nearby suburban municipalities (Kirchberg, Gasperich, Belair, Strassen, Bertrange) than in more distant areas.
Prices for main work items in a Luxembourg apartment
Apartment renovation can involve one or several items depending on priorities. Here are the price ranges per trade, verified in Luxembourg in 2026.
| Work item | Indicative price 2026 | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Complete kitchen renovation | €10,000 – €25,000 | Cabinets, worktop, integrated appliances depending on budget |
| Bathroom renovation | €7,000 – €18,000 | Walk-in shower, floor/wall tiles, vanity unit, taps |
| Floor coverings | €50 – €200/m² | Laminate (cheaper) → solid parquet or large format (more expensive) |
| Full interior painting | €20 – €40/m² | Walls + ceilings + woodwork, surface preparation included |
| Electrical upgrade to standards | €70 – €150/m² | Consumer unit, RCDs, dedicated circuits per wet room |
| Plumbing (private section) | €80 – €200/m² | Private supply and drainage — excluding common rising mains |
| Window replacement (if GM approved) | €900 – €2,000 per unit | Double or triple glazing — co-ownership agreement required in most cases |
| Acoustic underfloor insulation | €15 – €40/m² | Acoustic membrane under floor covering — strongly recommended |
| Partitions / reconfiguration | €120 – €250/m² | Non-load-bearing lightweight partitions only — no load-bearing walls |
| Suspended ceiling / acoustic | €40 – €90/m² | Standard plasterboard or acoustic ceiling as required |
Indicative prices incl. VAT in Luxembourg 2026. Always allow a 10 to 15% contingency reserve.
The kitchen and bathroom are the two items that generate the best return on investment at resale and rental alike. A well-designed open kitchen and a bathroom with a walk-in shower are today’s top arguments for adding value to an apartment in the Luxembourg market.
Co-ownership rules: what you can do freely and what requires authorisation
In Luxembourg, co-ownership is governed by the Act of 16 May 1975. Before starting any project, it is essential to distinguish three categories of works.
Works freely permitted in your private lot
As long as your works are limited to the interior of your private lot and do not modify the building’s structure, common areas or external appearance, you are free to carry them out without any authorisation. This category includes: painting, floor and wall coverings, replacement of sanitary fittings without touching common columns, lighting updates, modification of non-load-bearing interior partitions, kitchen or bathroom replacement (private circuit only).
Works requiring co-ownership authorisation (absolute majority)
Certain works require authorisation voted at a general meeting. In accordance with Article 16 of the Act of 16 May 1975, these decisions are made by absolute majority, meaning more than 500/1,000 thousandths. These include in particular:
- Window replacement: windows generally belong to the facade (common area)
- Installation of air conditioning with a visible external unit
- Installation of an awning, sun blind or shutters modifying the external appearance
- Any work on common rising plumbing columns or collective service ducts
- Modification of the landing entrance door if classified as a common area
- Installation of an EV charging point in a common parking space
- Any modification affecting the external appearance of the building
To obtain this authorisation, ask your management body to add your project to the agenda for the next general meeting. Plan ahead for this delay: the next AGM may be several months away.
If you carry out works requiring co-ownership agreement without prior authorisation, the management body can require you to reinstate the property — including demolishing what was done. When in doubt, consult your management body before engaging any craftsman.
The mandatory works fund since 1 August 2023
The Act of 30 June 2022 introduced a mandatory works fund in all Luxembourg co-ownerships, effective 1 August 2023. Managed by the management body, this fund collects annual contributions to anticipate major collective expenses: roof, facade, insulation, lift, common heating system. If your building is rated G or F on the EPC, contributions are higher, in anticipation of the collective energy renovation that will eventually be required.
If you want to promote energy renovation of your building to improve the collective EPC and potentially access the Klimabonus, the management body and general meeting are your levers. Since the Act of 30 June 2022, energy renovation works in common areas are decided by absolute majority — a more favourable rule than before.
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3% VAT and available grants for apartment renovation in Luxembourg
Unlike single-family house renovation, apartment renovation gives access to a more limited range of grants. It is important to know exactly what you are entitled to — and what you cannot claim.
The 3% VAT: the main grant, accessible to all
The super-reduced VAT rate of 3% applies to renovation works on an apartment used as a primary residence. Two essential conditions:
- The property must have been used for residential purposes for more than 10 years before works begin
- The total tax benefit is capped at €50,000 per property (cumulative across all successive renovations)
In practice, this represents 14 percentage points of VAT saved on the works amount. On an €80,000 project, the saving is approximately €9,500. On a €150,000 project, the potential saving exceeds €17,000 (within the €50,000 tax benefit cap).
| Works amount (excl. VAT) | VAT at 17% (standard rate) | VAT at 3% (reduced rate) | Saving achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| €30,000 | €5,100 | €900 | €4,200 |
| €60,000 | €10,200 | €1,800 | €8,400 |
| €100,000 | €17,000 | €3,000 | €14,000 |
| €357,000 (cap reached) | €60,690 | €10,710 | €50,000 (cap) |
Indicative calculation. Standard VAT: 17% (Luxembourg). Tax benefit cap: €50,000 per property, per the Grand-Ducal regulation of 30 July 2002 and pfi.public.lu.
How to obtain the 3% VAT: two possible routes
Direct application (recommended): each contractor applies to the AED for approval before works start, then invoices directly at 3%. Ask your craftsmen to include this application with their quote. This route avoids any cash advance.
Retrospective refund: if approval was not obtained before commencement, the contractor invoices at 17% and you request the difference from the AED. The limitation period is 5 years.
The 3% VAT is not automatic. Without prior AED approval, the craftsman must invoice at 17%. Also check whether the €50,000 cap has already been partially or fully used for your property (balance viewable on MyGuichet.lu).
The Klimabonus: only via collective co-ownership action
The Klimabonus cannot be used by an individual co-owner for works carried out solely within their private lot. If your co-ownership votes on collective works (facade insulation, replacement of the common boiler, rooftop solar panels…), the management body can apply for the Klimabonus and the grant is distributed among co-owners according to their share.
Enoprimes grants
Certain grants from energy suppliers (Enovos/Creos) may be available for equipment installed in your apartment — particularly replacement of an individual heating system with a high-performance model. Check conditions at enoprimes.lu.
Municipal grants
Some Luxembourg municipalities offer supplementary grants for renovation, varying by place of residence. These can represent amounts from €1,000 to €3,000 depending on the municipality. Contact your municipal administration directly.
Sound insulation: the often-neglected point in apartment renovations
Luxembourg apartments are often located in densely built buildings, near busy roads, railway lines or flight paths. Acoustic insulation is therefore a primary comfort concern — and yet it is one of the items most frequently sacrificed to reduce the budget.
Impact noise: the leading source of disputes between neighbours
Impact noise (footsteps, falling objects, moving chairs) is transmitted directly through the concrete slab to the apartment below. The most effective and least costly solution is the installation of an acoustic underfloor membrane when replacing floors — whether parquet, laminate or tiles. This item costs between €15 and €40/m² and represents a highly cost-effective investment in daily comfort and neighbourly relations.
Airborne noise: voices, music, television
Airborne sounds are transmitted mainly through party walls. A secondary partition with acoustic wool is the most effective solution, at the cost of a few centimetres of living space. Acoustic suspended ceilings also improve acoustic comfort in living areas. These works are entirely private and do not require any co-ownership authorisation.
External noise: streets, traffic, aircraft
If your apartment faces a busy street or road, replacing windows with acoustic double or triple glazing is often the most impactful measure. Note: this type of works generally requires co-ownership agreement. But in buildings affected by significant noise issues, this vote is often easily obtained as it benefits everyone.
During a complete renovation, always include the acoustic membrane under new floor coverings. Once finishes are installed, revisiting this work would cost two to three times more. This is the right moment — don’t miss it.
Steps to a successful apartment renovation in Luxembourg
Consult the co-ownership rules and your management body
Before any commitment, identify the exact list of planned works and check in the co-ownership rules whether some require authorisation. If in doubt, contact your management body directly. This preliminary step avoids unintentional violations and having to suspend an already-started project.
Define the exact scope of works, room by room
Draw up a comprehensive list of all items to address. Take measurements, photograph the current condition. The more precise your description, the more reliable and comparable the quotes will be. Build in a 10 to 15% contingency reserve from the outset.
Obtain co-ownership authorisations if required
For works requiring a general meeting vote (window replacement, air conditioning…), contact your management body well in advance to add the item to the agenda. This delay can represent several months — factor it into your overall schedule.
Check your available VAT balance and request approval before works
Check on MyGuichet.lu the remaining VAT tax benefit available for your property (capped at €50,000). Then ask each contractor to submit their AED approval application before work starts.
Compare a minimum of 2 to 3 quotes from Luxembourg craftsmen
Solicit several offers from craftsmen registered with the Chambre des Métiers. Insist on detailed quotes: precise work description, materials with references, quantities, timelines, guarantees. Be wary of undetailed global quotes and abnormally low prices.
Inform your neighbours and establish a project schedule
Notify your neighbours (above, below, beside) before starting, specifying dates and nature of noisy works. Check the co-ownership rules for authorised hours (generally 8am–12pm and 2pm–6pm on working days). Proactive communication prevents conflicts.
Supervise the project and accept works in writing
Visit the site regularly at key stages (before closing partitions, before laying finishes). Accept works in writing with a handover record listing any reservations. Legal guarantees apply: ten-year structural guarantee, two-year equipment guarantee, one-year guarantee of perfect completion.
5 mistakes to avoid at all costs during your apartment renovation
1. Touching rising mains without prior agreement
Rising plumbing columns, service ducts and collective networks that physically pass through your apartment are common areas under the Act of 16 May 1975 — even though they are inside your property. Modifying them without general meeting agreement exposes you to forced reinstatement. Always clarify with your management body what is private and what is collective before starting any plumbing work.
2. Forgetting the VAT approval before commencement
The approval for direct application of the 3% rate must be obtained by each contractor from the AED before the first hammer stroke. If you skip this step, you pay at 17% and must then compile a refund application to the AED — an additional procedure that can take several months and represents a sometimes very significant cash advance.
3. Neglecting waterproofing in wet rooms
Poor waterproofing under shower or bathroom tiles causes leaks into the apartment below — with significant material damage, neighbourly disputes, expert assessments and lengthy insurance procedures. Waterproofing is invisible once applied but absolutely fundamental. Never sacrifice it to save a few hundred euros.
4. Carrying out works in the wrong order
In a complete apartment renovation, the sequencing of trades is critical. Electricity and plumbing must be done before closing partitions and laying floor coverings. Acoustic underfloor insulation must be installed before floor coverings. Painting comes after equipment installation but before skirting boards. Incorrect sequencing generates costly remedial works.
5. Confusing individual improvement with collective EPC
Carrying out insulation or heating replacement works solely in your apartment will not improve your individual EPC class and will not give you access to the Klimabonus. The EPC is established at building level in Luxembourg. If energy improvement is your primary objective, the only effective route is to involve your co-ownership in a collective approach.
Frequently asked questions about apartment renovation in Luxembourg
How much does a complete apartment renovation cost in Luxembourg in 2026?
The cost of a complete apartment renovation in Luxembourg in 2026 is between €1,200 and €1,800/m², depending on finish level and initial condition. For a 70 m² apartment, this represents a budget of €84,000 to €126,000. A simple freshening up (paint, floor coverings) costs between €500 and €800/m². Always allow a 10 to 15% contingency reserve.
Can I benefit from the 3% VAT for my apartment renovation?
Yes, subject to two conditions: the property must have been used for residential purposes for more than 10 years, and must be used as a primary residence (by yourself or by your tenant). The tax benefit is capped at €50,000 per property across all successive renovations. To benefit, each contractor must apply to the AED before works start. Check your available balance on MyGuichet.lu.
Can I benefit from the Klimabonus for my apartment?
Not individually, no. The Klimabonus is only available for energy renovation works at the scale of the entire building, submitted by the co-ownership management body. If your co-ownership votes on collective works (facade insulation, replacement of common heating…), the management body can submit a Klimabonus application. For works in your private lot only, the 3% VAT remains the main available grant.
Is a building permit required to renovate an apartment in Luxembourg?
Generally, no. Interior renovation works not affecting load-bearing structures do not require a building permit. However, if your works modify the building’s external appearance (window replacement, sun blinds…), authorisation or a declaration to your municipality may be required. Always check with the municipal administration and your management body before starting.
Can I replace the windows of my apartment without co-ownership agreement?
In the vast majority of cases, no. Windows form part of the building facade — a common area under the Act of 16 May 1975. Their replacement requires authorisation voted at a general meeting by absolute majority (more than 500/1,000 thousandths). Check your co-ownership rules for exact conditions, and notify your management body before taking any steps.
Does the 3% VAT apply if I let my apartment?
Yes, for renovation works. The super-reduced 3% rate applies to renovation works on an apartment let as the tenant’s primary residence. The condition is that the property effectively serves as the main residence — a secondary residence is excluded. The tax benefit is capped at €50,000 per property.
Can you improve the energy class of your apartment individually in Luxembourg?
No. In Luxembourg, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is calculated at building level, not for each apartment individually. Works carried out solely in your private lot do not improve the EPC class and do not give access to the Klimabonus. To improve energy performance, the approach must be collective, led by the co-ownership.
What is the average timeline for a complete apartment renovation in Luxembourg?
A complete apartment renovation generally takes 2 to 5 months depending on surface area and complexity. A simple freshening up can be done in 2 to 6 weeks. Renovating a kitchen or bathroom alone takes 3 to 8 weeks. Add to these project timelines the preparation time (quotes, VAT approval, possibly AGM), which can represent 2 to 4 additional months.
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