Understanding the Calculation of Living Area in Luxembourg

Calculating the living area in Luxembourg is an essential issue for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals. To ensure transparency and uniformity, the ILNAS 101:2016 standard establishes clear rules to determine which areas must be included or excluded from the calculation.
What is the living area?
The living area is defined as all floor areas intended for the main uses of a dwelling and complying with habitability criteria. It notably includes:
- Living spaces: living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, walk-in closets, cupboards
- Wet rooms: bathrooms, sanitary facilities
- Internal passageways: corridors, stairs
However, certain areas are not counted in the living area:
- Common areas
- Rooms with a ceiling height of less than 2 meters
- Walls, partitions, and load-bearing elements
- Door and window recesses
- Stairwell voids (holes in the floor not overhung by another
- staircase)
- Unfinished attics and mezzanines
- Cellars, garages, terraces, balconies, loggias, outdoor drying areas
- Unheated verandas and technical shafts
Special case: stairs
The inclusion of stairs depends on their position and function:
Included:
- Stairs located inside the dwelling
- Spaces under the stairs if the floor is continuous and usable
Excluded:
- Common stairwells in multi-unit buildings
- Stairwell voids (openings in the floor without continuity)
Load-bearing walls and partitions: what is the difference?
Load-bearing walls are essential elements of the building's structure. In general, they are thick (15-20 cm or more) and are always excluded from the living area. Partitions, on the other hand, are non-load-bearing elements and serve only to divide the interior space. They are included in the living area because they are removable.
Why is this standard essential?
The ILNAS 101:2016 standard prevents abuses and guarantees transparency regarding the areas advertised by sellers and developers. It is therefore essential to verify the measurements before any purchase or rental.
Need professional advice?
At Nextimmo.lu, we assist you in understanding and verifying the living area of your real estate property. Contact us today for a precise assessment in compliance with current standards!
Official sources and references:
- ILNAS 101:2016 standard – Living area
- Detailed explanation on Guichet.lu
- ILNAS press release
Share this article to help other owners and buyers get a clearer picture!