Between 1890 and 1950, Luxembourgers – engineers, governesses, and salesmen alike – moved to Romania for work, drawn by its expanding industries. Historian Philippe Blasen's research traces this forgotten chapter, challenging assumptions about East-West migration and Romania's past as a destination, not just a departure point.
Migration is often framed as a one-way movement – from poorer regions to wealthier ones, from the periphery to the centre. In recent decades, Romania has embodied this trend: between 2014 and 2022 alone, a total of 1.887.600 Romanians left in search for better opportunities. Over half of the Romanian diaspora is concentrated in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. Some also entered the Luxembourgish labour market, particularly since the 2007 EU accession. Centre d'étude et de formation interculturelles et sociales (Cefis) highlights in a report that Romanians now form the 7th-largest foreign community in Luxembourg, totalling 6.828 people as of January 2024 and counting 6.470 salaried workers (including cross border commuters) – a 34.5 per cent increase in four years. This is a stark contrast to the 127 Romanian working residents recorded in 1998.
You want more? Get access now.
-
One-year subscription€185.00/year
-
Monthly subscription€18.50/month
-
Zukunftsabo for subscribers under the age of 26€120.00/year
Already have an account?
Log in
