The construction sector in Portugal has recorded sustained growth and is attracting back Portuguese workers who in recent years have sought better conditions in Luxembourg. According to the news portal Contacto, national production in the sector increased by 3.1% in 2024, with employment rising by 1.3%, a scenario that contrasts with the current situation in the Grand Duchy, where construction is experiencing difficulties and loss of labor.
This difference is reversing the migratory flow. According to the same source, more and more professionals are leaving Luxembourg to return to their country of origin and pursue a career in construction. The OGBL and LCGB unions point out that more competitive salaries and the cost of living make staying in Luxembourg territory less worthwhile, especially for those traveling alone and having high accommodation expenses.
When returning is worth more than staying
The portal writes that many workers calculate expenses and disposable income at the end of the month and conclude that the effort of living far away does not translate into the expected financial return. The deputy secretary of the LCGB states that the general increase in prices makes the balance unfavorable, leading many to choose to return, where in addition to the income they can maintain family proximity. “Portuguese workers, especially those who come here alone, are preferring to return home, to their family”, adds the secretary.
The phenomenon is not limited to isolated migrants. Entire families are also returning, taking with them experience from the sector and looking for continued employment in Portugal. Joe Gomes, from OGBL, says that wage stagnation and the devaluation perceived by workers weigh on the decision, at a time when national perspectives offer a greater balance between income and quality of life.
The same source states that the reverse movement is not just about people. There are Luxembourg companies establishing branches and developing construction projects in Portuguese territory. In some cases, they retain their own workers who previously worked abroad, guaranteeing them employment and facilitating their permanent return. In these situations, the return is accompanied by professional continuity and greater family stability.
While the Portuguese market absorbs labor, Luxembourg faces bankruptcies in the sector and the displacement of workers to other segments, including works promoted by communes and public services. The reduction in supply in private construction has contributed to this reorientation, opening the door to changing countries or activities.
Fewer entries, more exits: the numbers confirm the trend
At the moment, fewer Portuguese people emigrate to work in the Luxembourg construction sector. Today, mainly older professionals or those in the final stages of their careers arrive, looking for a final financial boost for personal projects, such as supporting their children’s studies or purchasing a home in Portugal.
According to , between March 2022 and March 2025, the number of Portuguese construction workers in Luxembourg fell by 15%. During this period, 2,430 professionals were lost in the activity, after a peak recorded in 2022 with 15,830 workers. From 2023 onwards the trend reversed and the values dropped to 13,400 recorded this year.
The changes in the sector in both countries show a transition that has a human and economic impact. While Portugal absorbs workers and companies that return or relocate, Luxembourg is looking for alternatives in a segment that is still fragile. The movement, carried out in silence over the last few years, is now visible in statistics and in the individual decisions of those who prefer to return home.
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