The PCR test vouchers are for young children, students going abroad to university and residents unable to be vaccinated. Photo: Shutterstock

The PCR test vouchers are for young children, students going abroad to university and residents unable to be vaccinated. Photo: Shutterstock

Certain groups of people will soon be eligible for free PCR tests, said the ministry of health in a press release on 24 September.

The vouchers will be made available from 27 September. Three groups are eligible.

- Children aged 6 to 11 who are Luxembourg residents will automatically be sent vouchers for five free tests.

- Luxembourg residents who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons may request, with a medical certificate, five vouchers. Requests should be made to the health department at [email protected].

- Students who are Luxembourg residents and who need a negative PCR test in order to travel to their university abroad also qualify. These vouchers will be handled by the Association des cercles d'étudiants luxembourgeois (ACEL).

The vouchers can be redeemed for tests at any accredited laboratory in the country, including BioNext, Ketterthill and Laboratoires réunis. They will expire on 31 December 2021.

The government in September decided to end the free large-scale testing scheme, which had ensured a steady stream of free tests for Luxembourg residents and cross-border workers. While initially designed to monitor the pandemic and weed out asymptomatic patients, the start of the CovidCheck system in June meant tests could be booked on a first come, first served basis.

With vaccination generally available, however, the government scrapped free tests. Critics have warned that this will lead to against people who are unvaccinated. 

Free tests also remain available if prescribed by a doctor to a patient experiencing symptoms indicative of a Sars-CoV-2 infection. 

For more information, see .