Direct and indirect tax in domestic and cross-border contexts, including international tax planning and structuring for cross-border investments
Private Equity
Tax structuring to sponsors in connection with the set-up of regulated and unregulated investment vehicles and structures, and advice to investors
Private Wealth
Private wealth management tax advice to high-net-worth individuals and family offices
Real Estate
Tax structuring of real estate investments
Tax Pre-Litigation and Litigation
Before the Luxembourg tax authorities, Luxembourg and European courts, tax audits and dispute resolution
Who We Are
Trusted advisors. Global expertise.
Schaffner is a Luxembourg tax law firm founded on the conviction that clients deserve more than standard advice — they deserve a trusted partner who combines deep technical tax expertise with a genuine understanding of their clients' objectives.
Bringing clarity to complex tax matters through a pragmatic, efficient approach
Trusted advisors with a client-first approach
Upholding quality standards, transparency and professional ethics in every engagement
Leveraging over 35 years of experience, including 26 years as Partner in a major international law firm
Multilingual practice serving clients in English, French, German and Luxembourgish
The Founder
Jean Schaffner
Biography
Chambers and Partners, Tax, 2026
Jean Schaffner is one of the leading tax lawyers in the Luxembourg market. He has outstanding experience in a range of tax matters, including advising on the tax aspects of real estate and corporate transactions, as well as acting on administrative tax disputes.
"Jean Schaffner is certainly one of the best lawyers in the country."
Jean Schaffner is consistently regarded as one of Luxembourg's leading tax lawyers, with more than 35 years' experience advising institutional investors, private equity houses, alternative investment funds and high-net-worth individuals on Luxembourg and international taxation.
His practice spans cross-border investment structuring, M&A, structured finance and securitisation, EU tax and state aid, and domestic and international tax disputes.
Beyond his client work, Jean is a recognised academic and author. He holds a doctorate in law and graduated from HEC Paris alongside a specialised degree in international tax law, and has written several reference works on Luxembourg and international taxation. He heads the scientific board of the Luxembourg branch of the International Fiscal Association, is a member of the International Bar Association, and has served on the Luxembourg Bar Council, where he chaired its fiscal commission.
Rankings
Chambers and Partners
Europe
Star Individual
Tax — Luxembourg
The Legal 500
EMEA
Hall of Fame
Tax — Luxembourg
ITR World Tax
Global
Highly Regarded
Tax — Luxembourg
Education
Docteur en Droit, Luxembourg (2012) · HEC Paris (1991) · DESS International Taxation, Université Paris-Sud XI · Maîtrise Law & Political Science, Université de Strasbourg
Admissions
Luxembourg Bar · Paris Bar
Languages
English · French · German · Luxembourgish
GET IN TOUCH
Get in Touch
Let's discuss
Whether you have a specific question or simply wish to explore how we may be of assistance, your enquiry is most welcome.
We, Schaffner, collect and process personal data on you where you or your company (which you represent or for which you act as a contact person) is an actual, former or prospective client of ours. We act as the controller of such processing and are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal data in accordance with the law, in particular the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR).
Processing Purposes
The processing of your data is based on the following grounds:
Purpose of Processing
GDPR Legal Basis
To manage the onboarding process
In order to take steps prior to entering into a contract with you or your company, and for purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us (client/prospect management)
To manage legal services provided at your request, as well as for billing, accounting and administrative management purposes
For the performance of a contract with you, and to comply with legal obligations to which we are subject
To evaluate and manage risks, fight against fraud, manage disputes and litigation
For purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us (risk and dispute management) and, where special categories of data are processed, as necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims
To better know you as required by law (in particular anti-money laundering and terrorism financing rules)
To comply with legal obligations to which we are subject
For marketing purposes (contact management, CRM, directory and rankings, events, newsletter, publications and other commercial communications)
For purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us (commercial prospection)
Website functioning (strictly necessary cookies)
For purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us (management of user preferences and other website basic functionalities)
In exceptional cases, we may need your consent for certain processing operations (which is not the case for the processing purposes detailed above). In such case, we will ask for your consent separately.
Data Categories
In addition to information you have communicated to us directly, we may collect and process the following categories of personal data:
Identity and contact details, legal services ordered or delivered, financial data (amounts, bank details, rates, hours), credit control;
Personal identification data (including copy of passport or ID, proof of residence);
For regulatory checks (including conflicts of interest, AML/CTF): customer due diligence data, counterparty details, identity verifications, financial data, corporate data, sanctions checks, KYC/AML risk assessments;
Marketing-related information (LinkedIn/social media profile, interests, relationship history, events attendance, photos/videos from events, newsletter subscriptions); and
Cookies, as per your choices.
Data Recipients
Without prejudice to our professional secrecy obligations, we may share your data with our affiliated entities or law firms, your company's own providers (intermediaries, advisors, banks, notaries, lawyers, domiciliation companies), administrative or judicial authorities (e.g., CRF, Bar), and service providers (e.g., event organisers).
Data Transfers Outside the EU/EEA
We do not transfer your personal data outside the EU/EEA for our own internal purposes. However, where the legal services we provide require so (e.g., if we assist you on a matter, dispute or litigation taking place outside of the EU/EEA), we may transfer your data in the relevant jurisdiction. In such cases, and in accordance with GDPR, data transfers will be:
Limited to what is necessary to perform our engagement with you, or conclude arrangements with third parties in your interest; or
Justified by the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; or
Covered by appropriate safeguards, such as EC-approved standard contractual clauses; or
In exceptional cases, made with your consent.
Data Retention
We will retain your personal data for as long as required to deliver the services you have requested, and then for the mandatory retention duration set forth by applicable law (typically 10 years after the termination of our relation).
Your Statutory Rights
You have certain rights concerning your personal data under GDPR, and can exercise them by contacting us at privacy@schaffner.lu:
Right to information. If you are a client-related third party, you can find updated information on our processing of your data at any time on our website, or by contacting us at privacy@schaffner.lu.
Access right. You have the right to access your personal data. We may ask you to specify the information or processing activities to which your request relates before the information is delivered.
Right to rectification. You can ask us to rectify, correct or update inaccurate or incorrect data.
Other rights. In certain limited cases, you may object to or request the limitation of the processing of your personal data, or request the erasure or portability of your personal data. You also have the right to withdraw consent where granted. You may also contact the Luxembourg data protection authority (Commission nationale pour la protection des données) to introduce a claim.
