Language schools in Lucerne

New residents who speak another mother tongue can collect a "DeutschFit" voucher worth CHF 350 at the Welcome Desk, Obergrundstrasse 1. It applies to German courses up to level C1 at one of eight recognised schools in the city, and the offer runs for 2026 and 2027 (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Applicants are at least 18, within two years of moving to the city, and hold an L, B or C permit, or are weekly residents or students; people on social assistance or without papers are excluded, and holders of the KulturLegi pass can receive up to three vouchers (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). If a course costs more than the voucher the participant pays the difference, and any unused balance lapses (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026).

The voucher is valid from the day of issue to the end of 2027; courses must be booked by then and start before May 2028 (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). The canton adds an education voucher of CHF 500 for basic skills (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). The city's Welcome Desk also points to a regional competence centre for migration that runs its own German courses and gives free advice, and to an access centre for international workers with courses and networking (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026).

New residents register with the Einwohnerdienste (residents' office) in the Customer Centre at Obergrundstrasse 1 within 14 days (1 Jan 2026) (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). The counters are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, the fee is CHF 40, and people arriving from abroad register in person (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). A Welcome Desk at the same address gives newcomers short consultations without an appointment on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). See registering at your commune.