The chèque-service accueil (CSA) is the state scheme that lowers the cost of crèches, mini-crèches, maisons relais and childminders recognised as CSA providers. It covers children under 12 (older if still in basic or differentiated education) who live in Luxembourg, or whose EU-national parent works here and gets Luxembourg family allowances for them.
How to apply:
– Residents: apply at your own commune, not where the childcare is.
– Cross-border workers: apply to the CAE (Children’s Future Fund).
– Joining is free, any time of year. Bring national identification numbers and proof of household income, such as your latest tax assessment; without it, the highest rate applies.
– You get one contract per child with your rates and end date. It does not reserve a place: you register with the provider yourself.
Renewal: membership lasts up to 12 months, and the end date is on your invoices (also on [eduGuichet](https://portal.education.lu/eduguichet/)). Renew by the month after that date at the latest, or the CSA stops and you pay the full price; a late renewal is backdated 3 months at most. Tell your commune if your income or address changes.
Free today: 20 hours a week, 46 weeks a year, in crèches and mini-crèches for children aged 1 to 4 not yet at school, and school-week care from 7:00 to 19:00 for children in compulsory school.
Once bill 8686 is voted: the CSA reform is planned for 1 January 2027 but is still in parliamentary committee and may change. As amended in July 2026:
– The 20 free hours also apply with childminders.
– Households earning under twice the social minimum wage pay nothing for up to 60 hours a week. Between two and three times that wage the first 29 hours a week are free, and between three and 3.5 times the first 24.
– Providers cannot charge more than the state ceiling or bill extras such as hygiene products and activities.
– You pay for the time you book, and can change it each month.
– Parents on full-time parental leave can no longer use the CSA, the government says.