Warning about risks of human trafficking

Human trafficking happens when a person is tricked, trapped or coerced into being exploited for another person’s private gain or profit.

It is a crime and can take various forms, such as:

  • sexual exploitation
  • forced labour
  • domestic servitude
  • slavery or similar practices
  • gender-based violence
  • forced begging or criminality

Many people will want to help you on your journey and after you arrive in Luxembourg. However, not everyone may be who they say they are; some people may have different intentions and may wish to take advantage of your situation. 

  • For example, they may promise you accommodation, transport, or free food, and use this as a way to pressure you into sexual acts, work or other services you do not agree with. Or they may want to harm you or take your documents or other belongings. If you believe you are a victim of trafficking, or you have a suspicion that someone else is, you should contact the Luxembourg police force, who are available to help.  

In case of emergency or if you are under an imminent threat, please call 113 (line open 24/7)

On working days between 8 am and 4 pm, you can also contact the police:

Every contact with the police will be treated in strict confidence. 

➡️Additional information can be found on the website of the Stop Traite organization

Tips for keeping safe:

Always:

  • Be alert and follow your own intuition about people you don’t know. 
  • Always hold onto your documents. Take copies of them on your phone and send them to someone you trust. 
  • Keep in touch with your family and other people you trust. 
  • Know your rights and where you can access help. 
  • Seek reliable information from trusted sources. 

If you are looking for transportation: 

  • Use organized transportation by known providers, as far as this is possible. 
  • Don’t accept being removed from your family or those you arrived with, and don’t give away your documents.
  • Always agree on a price beforehand.

If you are looking for a place to stay: 

  • Use accommodation provided or facilitated by known organizations, if possible.
  • Look for a reception center, hotel, hostel and non-governmental organizations that offer accommodation.
  • If using an online service provider, make sure to select hosts that have a positive rating and look at the reviews on the page. 
  • If you stay with private individuals, try to ask around about the person first. You can ask the person to show you their identity document. Don’t accept being removed from your family or those you arrived with, and don’t give away your documents. Ask if anything is expected of you in return, and always agree on a price beforehand.  Tell someone you trust where you will be staying and whom you will be staying with. 

Be alert if someone: 

  • is asking for your passport or other identification documents (apart from public authorities, for example, at immigration checkpoints); 
  • is asking for your phone, laptop or other means of communication; 
  • wants to remove you from your family or others you are travelling with; 
  • is offering you a job that sounds too good to be true;   
  • is pressuring you to perform work, services or sex (including to repay ‘debts’); 
  • is offering you assistance – such as food – only if you do ‘services’; 
  • is promising to help you get registered, relocated or resettled to another country for payment (except for regular transportation fees); 
  • is hiring you but not paying you, or paying only part of what was promised; 
  • is hiring you but not giving you decent working conditions or limiting your movement, for example, by taking your documents or locking the door. 

The below organisations may be able to help you. Select each to find out what support they offer:

Fondation Maison de la Porte Ouverte (FMPO)

This organization offers protection, support and social, psychological, legal and educational assistance to people in distress.

Address: 16, avenue Marie-Thérèse L-2132 Luxembourg

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 – 17.00, appointment not necessary

Telephone: 28 588 001. Phone numbers of the different services can be found on this webpage

Free service

SAVTEH/InfoTraite (Femmes en détresse asbl)

This organization offers support and guidance to victims of trafficking in human beings to achieve their physical, psychological and social recovery while respecting their intentions.

The address is anonymous for security reasons

Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 9.00 – 17.00. Reception on appointment by phone or email

Telephone: 27 36 56 46 or 621 316 919

Free service

Médecins du Monde

The organisation undertakes actions in favor of the most disadvantaged, who do not have access to the national health system, offering them access to primary health care, through free medical and psychosocial consultations.

Address: 30, Dernier Sol, Bonnevoie (Luxembourg-Ville) or 3, Quartier, Esch-sur-Alzette

Opening hours:

The centre in Bonnevoie operates on Mondays and Fridays 10.00 – 12.00, on Tuesdays 15.00 – 17.00 (only for women and children) and on Wednesdays 18.00 – 20.00.

The centre in Esch-sur-Alzette operates on Thursdays 10.00 – 12.00.

Appointment not necessary.

Email address: [email protected]

Telephone: +352 28 89 23 71

Free service

HUT – Hëllef um Terrain Luxembourg

HUT – Hëllef um Terrain is an association whose mission is to prevent and combat all forms of human suffering, particularly insecurity, poverty, and discrimination.

A range of aid services are offered to people affected by precariousness, poverty, exclusion, and homelessness, as well as to refugees and migrants. Special attention is given to children, young people, and their families.

It offers asylum-seekers (international protection applicants), refugees, beneficiaries of temporary protection and stateless persons information on administrative procedures, as well as on many aspects related to life in Luxembourg.

Through reception, social follow-up, thematic training workshops, accommodation in centers and independent housing and help in finding a job and housing, they prepare their target audience to take their place in society.

It is preferrable to fix an appointment either by phone  (+352 26 155 350, from Monday to Friday, 9.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 17.00) or by email ([email protected])

Email address: [email protected]

Telephone: +352 26 155 351 (Accueil social)

Free service

ASTI – Association de soutien aux travailleurs immigrés asbl

This organization offers free information and administrative assistance on immigration and residence matters through its service “Guichet Info Migrants”.

Address: 19 rue Beggen L-1221 Luxembourg

An appointment needs to be made by email: [email protected]

Email address: [email protected] (general email)

Telephone: +352 43 83 33 1

Free service

Passerell

This organization helps refugees, asylum-seekers (international protection applicants) and rejected asylum-seekers (international protection applicants) to defend and exercise their rights.

Address: 4, rue Mathias Hart L-1717 Luxembourg.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10.00 – 19.00. Appointment on site, by phone (secretariat: +352 621 811 162, they can also be contacted on WhatsApp) or email ([email protected]) is necessary.

Free service

Reech eng Hand (Tends la main)

A project of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg which aims to welcome, integrate and advocate for refugees and those seeking asylum (international protection). Groups of volunteers in the parishes, associations and religious communities help them by providing language courses, socio-cultural activities and material support.

Address: 4, rue Génistre, B.P. 419. L-2014 Luxembourg

Opening hours: appointment needs to be made by email ([email protected]) or phone (+352 621 981 482)

Free service

Croix-Rouge luxembourgeoise

This organization’s mission is to help vulnerable people live with dignity and be self-reliant. They provide multiple services aimed at supporting asylum-seekers (international protection applicants) as well as beneficiaries of temporary protection. The relevant contact details are listed below.

Service Migrants et Réfugiés: the service informs and assists migrants, especially asylum-seekers (international protection applicants), throughout their stay in Luxembourg.

Address: 13, rue Bragance, L-1255 Luxembourg

Opening hours: an appointment needs to be made by email ([email protected]) or phone (+352 2755-5400, from Monday to Friday 8.00 – 18.00)

Free service