ASU LUXEMBOURG
• Border controls. Since September 16, 2024, Germany has established police checks at its border, to combat illegal immigration. At the border between Luxembourg and Germany, this is materialized by fixed control posts, respectively on the highways of Trier (A1-A64) and the Saar (A13-A8).
The motorway viaduct on the Moselle, between Schengen and Perl: traffic is reduced on a single track in each direction, for an indefinite period. © Photo: Chris Karaba
But from this month of August, the situation will evolve, only on the Saar motorway. The fixed control station located on the area Moseltal Just after the Schengen viaduct must be deleted. Instead, “flying” checks of the Federal police will take place. However, this does not mean the end of slowdowns at the exit of the Markusberg tunnel, since traffic has been reduced on a single path for the end of this month of July, due to weaknesses detected on the viaduct.
Léon Gluden clarifies confusion on borders with Germany
• Customs rights. The measure may cringe many political leaders from the European Union countries, it comes into force on August 1. This is the 15% increase in customs duties on European goods exported to the United States. This is the result of a long showdown, finally won by US President Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (left), after their meeting in Turnberry, in the southwest of Scotland. © Photo: AFP
These customs duties will be paid by the American importer. But this should obviously have repercussions on the prices charged by these importers to European companies.
• New bourgmestre. CLAP End for Paul Weimerskirch. This August 1, the elected CSV makes his bourgmestre scarf of Schifflange and put an end to his political career. He led the town for seven years. As had been decided after the last municipal elections in 2023, Carlo Feiereisen (LSAP) took over during the mandate. At the same time, Nadine Kuhn-Metz (CSV) will join Marc Spautz (CSV) and Rizo Agovic (LSAP) within the alderman’s college, and Isabelle Solagna (CSV) The municipal council.
Carlo Fairy> SET LE LO NOILUAL Bourg Embestriaged the vessels. IL SUCCOUS AINOHIMMO FULL MEASSERS (à à Giving). © Photo: Gerry Huberty, Anouk Antony / Archives lw
• RAIL TRAFFIC. While the Bettembourg dam continues until September 14 inclusive, with buses in place of trains between Bettembourg and Luxembourg-Ville, the Luxembourg-Ettelbruck-Troisvierges line site will end on August 10. Train traffic will therefore be possible again between Luxembourg and Ettelbruck-Diekirch from this date. On the other hand, another project will start on the line on August 23, until September 14. Traffic will be interrupted on the Luxembourg part of the line. There will be substitution buses.
These four train lines will be under construction this summer
In France
• Drop in savings rates. Bad news for French savers: the rates of the main booklets decrease strongly on August 1. This decline, decided by the Ministry of the Economy, is motivated by a level of inflation which fell to 0.88% in the first half of 2025. Thus, the rate of booklet A and the sustainable and solidarity development booklet goes from 2.4 to 1.7%. That of the popular savings book drops from 3.5 to 2.7%.
How Luxembourg banks are fighting against the loss of “baby-boomers”
• Gas and electricity. Bad news for French consumers: VAT (value added tax) for gas and electricity subscriptions increases from 5.5 to 20%. Do not strike too quickly on the government: France is simply put in good standing with European legislation, which requires the same VAT rate for subscriptions and prices of the megawatt hour of gas and electricity. However, other taxes will decrease so that this increase in VAT does not feel (too much) on the bill, promises the government.
New electricity aid to relieve citizens and businesses
• Linky counter. Bad news for the refractory to the Linky counter: they will have to pay an additional 38 euros each year. The Linky meter, recognizable by its apple green color, notably makes it possible to note the consumption of electricity remotely. It has been deployed since 2015 by the operator Enedis since 2015. It is in principle compulsory, but many French consumers are still resisting and have not agreed to change their old counter. They will therefore have to pay 6.48 euros HT every two months from August 1.
The Linky green meter, which makes it possible to note the consumption of electricity remotely. © PHOTO: Shutterstock
Source: service-public.fr
In Belgium
• License plates. Only one notable change in Belgium from August 1: a reform concerning vehicle license plates. Until then, it was necessary to “come to the post office to cancel the previous registration certificate and receive a request form for a new plaque”, recalls Evening. From now on, “this passage will no longer be necessary. It will suffice to contact your insurer directly who may directly carry out the procedure for registration ”.
New car tax in Wallonia: Who wins and who loses?
On the other hand, concerning the radiation of a plaque, there is a new procedure, with different possible options. They are summarized in this article of our colleagues from the RTBF.
In Germany
• Identity photos. From August 1, identity photos on icy paper are no longer accepted for requests for identity card or passport. Only photos in digital format are now authorized.
Source: bundesregierung.de
• Recycling batteries. If it was already possible to bring back and deposit your used batteries for free in certain stores, in particular of DIY, the process will also be possible from August 18 in municipal recycling centers. “In addition, manufacturers will gradually be required to label the batteries with QR codes providing information on their environmental compatibility, recyclability and the raw materials used,” said the German federal government.
Source: bundesregierung.de
• Photovoltaic panels. The electricity repurchase prices produced from photovoltaic panels evolve, downwards, for individuals who install modules on the roof of their home. They go from 12.60 cents to 12.48 cents/kWh if all production is injected into the network, and from 7.94 cents to 7.88 cents/kWh if part of the production is used for housing and excess is injected into the network. However, this drop does not concern people who have installed signs with a guaranteed price contract over 20 years.
Source: mdr.de
