Moving to a new city as a family raises lots of questions. Where will our children go to school, what will their education and career path be like in the city or in Switzerland? 

The City of Lucerne is committed to providing a wide range of services for families. It runs various access centres and organises leisure activities. It also works closely with various advice centres that focus on family issues. 

Primary school

The Volksschule Luzern primary school counter is open at the following times

Monday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Available by phone from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

It is important for newcomers to register their children for preschool, primary and secondary school and cantonal school. The forms can be found on the primary school website. 

The same applies to wraparound childcare.
The childcare services in schools are income-dependent. 

City of Lucerne – primary school

Centre for Children, Young People and Families

As part of early years childcare services, it is possible for children to be looked after in a setting that suits them even before they start preschool. There is a useful video explaining this: City of Lucerne – Early years education and childcare 

Would you like to apply for childcare vouchers for nursery?

You can find all the information and contact details here: City of Lucerne – Childcare vouchers

The portal for applying for childcare vouchers can be found here: kiBon

The City of Lucerne also has a number of playgroups available. You can apply for financial support for these too. City of Lucerne – Early years education and childcare

The Mütter- und Väterberatung parent advisory service helps you with questions relating to parenting, health and nutrition for children from birth to age five. 

You can contact the advisers directly here: Mütter- und Väterberatung parent advisory service

For information about family reunification, please visit the website of the Canton of Lucerne:  

Family reunification – Canton Lucerne

As a family with children in education, you are entitled to a child and family allowance. You usually apply for this via your employer or complete the registration form yourself as a self-employed person or a person not in active employment. 

Family allowances | WAS Luzern

Students or apprentices are also entitled to grants depending on their own income or the level of support they receive from their parents

Grants Office – Canton of Lucerne

Other advice centres for families 

ELBE – Specialist Centre for Life Issues

ELBE is a competence centre and the official advice centre for individual and couples counselling as well as for pregnancy, sexuality and family planning

elbe – Specialist Centre for Life Issues for Lucerne, Obwalden, Nidwalden

CONTACT – advice for young people and families

The CONTACT team offers young people, parents and families 
outpatient advice for everyday life and during crises and emergencies.

Contact Lucerne advice for young people and families

The children’s emergency hotline can be reached by phoning 147 from anywhere in Switzerland: www.147.ch 

Recreational activities in Lucerne

The City of Lucerne offers children and young people a wide range of recreational activities such as theaterkids, Sportkids and the Ferienpass holiday pass, as well as school sports. Numerous events are also held in the city library.  

Recreational activities in the City of Lucerne

Stadtbibliothek city library

AGES – Department for Old Age and Health

Do you have an older relative in your family? The City of Lucerne’s contact point for old age and health is an advice centre for people aged 60 and over. You can find more information here: 

City of Lucerne – Old age & health

The Luzern60plus forum works to make Lucerne an attractive and friendly city where different generations enjoy living together and there are well-developed public services. 

Luzern60Plus forum:  Luzern60Plus

The two associations Aktives Alter Littau and Aktives Alter Reussbühl offer a wide range of meetings and activities.

 - http://www.senioren-littaureussbuehl.ch/

Aktives Alter Reussbühl – http://www.senioren-littaureussbuehl.ch/