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For Prof. Ulf Nehrbass, CEO of the Luxembourg Institute of Health, “Luxembourg is positioned to lead a new generation of healthcare based on precision medicine, digital transformation, and strong translational research”. To support these ambitions, real estate planning must adapt to these trends to enable the necessary infrastructure for a patient-centric, predictive, and sustainable healthcare system.

Can you share with us an overview of Luxembourg’s National Health Plan?

Luxembourg’s healthcare system is structured around the Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS), ensuring universal health insurance based on solidarity. In addition to providing care, Luxembourg places a strong emphasis on health research and innovation to address evolving healthcare needs. The Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem. Key priorities include:

• Expanding primary care and integrated care networks.
• Focusing on preventive medicine.
• Accelerating eHealth and digital health service deployment.
• Advancing personalized and precision medicine.

These reforms align with the Luxembourg Institute of Health’s (LIH) strategic focus on translational research and patient-centered healthcare innovation.

How Are the Population’s Healthcare Needs Evolving?

Luxembourg’s demographic and health profiles are changing significantly:

• Aging population. Forecasts predict that over 25% of the population will be aged 65 and older by 2050 (Source: STATEC Luxembourg, "Population Projections 2023").
• Rise in chronic diseases. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes are increasing (Source: OECD, "Health at a Glance: Europe 2024").
• Mental health needs. The demand for mental health services has risen, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic (Source: European Commission, Luxembourg Country Health Profile 2023).
• Preventive care focus. Preventive strategies, vaccination programs, and early diagnosis are being increasingly prioritized.

These developments reflect LIH’s emphasis on research in areas like immunology, oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, and population health.

How Should the Healthcare System Evolve?

To meet future healthcare demands, Luxembourg needs to:

• Prioritize prevention and early intervention over reactive treatment models
• Strengthen digital health infrastructure to enable remote care, electronic patient records, and AI-driven diagnostics (Source: Luxembourg Ministry of Health, eHealth Strategy 2023).
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration by integrating clinical, data, and translational research approaches.

Precision medicine, predictive diagnostics, and patient-centred care models will be critical to delivering efficient, sustainable healthcare services.

How are healthcare resources allocated? Where should investments be directed?

Today, Luxembourg invests 6.5% of its GDP in healthcare — slightly under the EU average (OECD, "Health Expenditure Luxembourg 2023"). Strategic reallocation is needed towards:

• Enhancing primary care capacity, including community clinics and preventive services (Source: Plan National de Santé 2020-2024).
• Building research excellence through facilities like the Luxembourg Research Clinic.
• Creating digital infrastructure for health data interoperability and artificial intelligence applications.
• Strengthening public health programmes targeting major chronic and preventable diseases.

A shift toward early intervention, supported by data-driven research and innovation, will be key for improving outcomes and system sustainability.

What will be the real estate requirements for the healthcare sector?

Real estate development for healthcare in Luxembourg must anticipate major structural shifts:

1. Expansion of outpatient and decentralized care facilities: Care is moving out of hospitals into specialized community centres (Source: WHO Europe, "Future of Hospitals 2023").
2. Creation of digital-ready, flexible medical infrastructure: New facilities must integrate telehealth capabilities, research labs, and secured data environments.
3. Development of specialized translational research hubs: Projects like the Fuerschungsklinik Lëtzebuerg demonstrate the need for hybrid clinical-research spaces.

Other needs include:

• State-of-the-art biobanking facilities for personalized medicine.
• Innovation ecosystems co-located with academic and tech centers.
• Senior-friendly health and wellness campuses integrating care, rehabilitation, and independent living (Source: European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, 2024 Updates).

A future-proof real estate strategy could integrate flexibility, digitalization, and the evolving focus on outpatient, predictive, and research-driven healthcare delivery.

References

1. Luxembourg Ministry of Health. (2020). Plan National de Santé 2020-2024.
2. OECD. (2023). Health at a Glance: Europe 2024.
3. STATEC Luxembourg. (2023). Population Projections.
4. European Commission. (2023). Luxembourg Country Health Profile.
5. WHO Europe. (2023). Future of Hospitals Report.
6. European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. (2024). Innovation Strategies Update.
7. Luxembourg Institute of Health (Internal Resources, 2024).