Visas, residence permits, family reunification

Who can stay in Luxembourg?

What are the specific cases?

Firstly, and except in special cases, the right to reside in Luxembourg is subject to the ability to support oneself and one's family.

Applicants for the right to reside must not represent a financial burden on the social assistance system.

Furthermore, Luxembourg is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. In fact, whether or not a visa or residence permit is required to stay in Luxembourg depends on several factors:

• the country of origin of the person applying to immigrate to Luxembourg: are they a citizen of the European Union or a third country?
• the length of stay: is the planned stay more or less than 90 days?

In addition, certain specific cases, such as cross-border workers, asylum seekers, or applicants for international protection, havespecific authorizations to stay in Luxembourg. We discuss these cases further down this page.

See also our section on family reunification in Luxembourg. Do you already live in Luxembourg and want to bring your family here? Do you want to join a relative who is an expatriate in Luxembourg? We also examine cases related to family reunification in Luxembourg here.

Documents to present to enter and stay in Luxembourg

Regardless of their status or length of stay, anyone wishing to stay in Luxembourg must have a valid official identity document at the time of their trip.
In addition, all documents presented must be in French, German, or English. Otherwise, they must be translated by a certified translator.

European nationals

To stay in Luxembourg, a simple identity card is sufficient for citizens of the European Union. Luxembourg will even accept a card that expired 10 years after its validity date.
However, we strongly advise you to check that your identity document is valid for travel in Europe from Luxembourg or on your return. The other country may refuse you entry or prohibit you from boarding your return flight.

Luxembourg requires an identity card for Luxembourg nationals under the age of 15. Make sure you have official identity documents from your country of origin, or failing that, a family record book for travel.

Non-EU nationals

On the other hand, third-country nationals wishing to stay in Luxembourg must present a valid passport and, where applicable, an additional visa, including for minors.

Family members wishing to join the resident in Luxembourg must also prove their status and present additional documents. See the section on family reunification below.

Here is a list of what you need to know about moving your personal belongings to Luxembourg.

Residence of European Union nationals in Luxembourg

Principle of free movement within the Schengen Area

Luxembourg is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area.

As such, all citizens of the European Union (EU) or an equivalent country enjoy freedom of movement within the EU. This status gives them the right to live and work in Luxembourg, and more broadly in any EU country.

The Schengen Area covers European Union countries that have signed the Schengen Agreements. This includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

All nationals of countries that have signed the European Economic Area Agreement (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) are also covered.

Citizens of the Swiss Confederation are treated in the same way as EU citizens.

Family members of a European Union citizen who are themselves EU citizens are also authorized to reside in Luxembourg. See "Family reunification" below.

Staying in Luxembourg for less than 3 months

EU nationals do not need to take any steps to stay in Luxembourg for less than 3 months. However, they must comply with the provisions of the various municipal regulations in order to register on the population registers of your municipality.

European nationals must also be in possession of a national identity card or passport that is valid for the duration of their stay.

Are you looking for temporary accommodation? Click here to see all our advice.

Stays of more than 3 months in Luxembourg

Cases of authorized stays in Luxembourg

Citizens of the European Union and equivalent nationals may stay in Luxembourg for more than 3 months. To do so, they must provide proof of employment or self-employment in Luxembourg.

Family members are allowed to join the main "migrant" if they are a citizen of the European Union. See the section on family reunification below.

If they are not in employment, EU citizens staying in Luxembourg for more than three months must provide proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves and their family. They must also provide proof that they are a family member of an EU citizen and that they themselves are an EU citizen.

Students enrolled in a Luxembourg educational institution may also reside in Luxembourg as EU citizens.

Administrative procedures to be completed as an EU citizen

If they wish to stay in Luxembourg for more than 3 months, allEU citizens and equivalent nationals must register with the local authorities of their place of residence within 8 days of moving there. The local authorities will issue them with a "registration certificate" for the whole family. They must keep this certificate for the duration of their stay.

EU nationals wishing to reside in Luxembourg for more than three months must be in possession of a valid national identity card or passport.

The list of documents to be provided for a visa depends on the status of the EU citizen. This list can be consulted at www.guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Stay in Luxembourg for third-country nationals

Third-country nationals wishing to travel to Luxembourg must have a valid travel document (passport) and a visa prior to their trip to Luxembourg. See here for a list of countries that require a visa and those that do not.

These regulations apply to both transit and regular stays in Luxembourg, regardless of their duration.

Passport validity for third-country nationals in Luxembourg

To travel to Luxembourg, nationals of countries outside the EU must have a passport that is:

• valid, issued less than 10 years ago
• valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned length of stay in Luxembourg
• contain at least 2 blank pages.

Visa and residence permit depending on the national's status

Non-EU nationals wishing to travel to or stay in Luxembourg must have a visa, issued prior to their trip to Luxembourg.

The visa can be obtained from the Luxembourg consulate in the national's country or from a diplomatic mission representing Luxembourg. Obtaining a visa for Luxembourg guarantees the national's freedom of movement in Luxembourg, but also in all countries in the Schengen area.

The residence permit granted to stay in Luxembourg depends on the status of the non-EU national. Applicants for residence in Luxembourg may be employees, self-employed persons, students, researchers, professional athletes, au pairs, etc. Family reunification is also subject to special treatment.

The documents to be submitted to obtain a residence permit or visa depend on the applicant's activity in Luxembourg. The list can be consulted at www.guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Medical examination to obtain a residence permit in Luxembourg

To validate their stay in Luxembourg, nationals of countries outside the European Union must undergo a mandatory medical examination and tuberculosis screening. This procedure applies to all migrants who are not citizens of the European Union or an equivalent country.

The immigration medical service organizes medical examinations for foreigners (outside the EU) who apply for a residence permit in Luxembourg for more than three months. This examination can be carried out by any general practitioner, specialist in internal medicine, or specialist in pediatrics.

However, tuberculosis screening must be carried out exclusively by the Ligue médico-sociale (LMS).

The medical costs of these examinations are borne by the applicant.

Right of permanent residence in Luxembourg

After five years of uninterrupted legal residence in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, residents (regardless of whether they are from the EU or outside the EU) can apply for permanent residence in Luxembourg. After five years of residence, Luxembourg residents can also apply for Luxembourg citizenship.

After five years, Luxembourg residents may also acquire the right to vote in certain elections.

Right of residence in Luxembourg: specific cases

Cross-border workers in Luxembourg

A cross-border worker from a non-EU country or an equivalent country must first obtain a work permit in order to work in Luxembourg without residing there. This can be discussed with the future employer during the recruitment process.

However, if the prospective cross-border worker is the spouse, official partner, or child of a citizen of the European Union or an equivalent country who is already working in Luxembourg, they may apply in advance for an exemption from the work permit requirement. The Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is responsible for this area.

Refugees and applicants for international protection in Luxembourg

Luxembourg recognizes the right of asylum for applicants for international protection. If accepted, this status confers a 5-year residence permit under international protection.

Stateless persons

Stateless status may also be granted to applicants who meet the necessary conditions.

For more information on these specific cases of immigration in Luxembourg, visit guichet.lu

Family reunification in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, family reunification is handled differently depending on the status of the "main migrant" to whom the various family members will be attached.
Different scenarios apply depending on whether the person authorized to reside in Luxembourg is a citizen of a European country or a third-country national.

Family life is a right enshrined in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Luxembourg applies European policy in line with many other European countries.

However, proof of family membership or financial support justifying reunification must be provided by the applicant, in the form of an official document from the country of origin.

European Union citizens and family reunification

If the main "migrant" is a citizen of the European Union, members of their family are allowed to join them if they are:

• the spouse or registered partner
• the partner in a common-law relationship (duly certified long-term relationship, cohabitation for at least one year prior to the application and/or a child in common over whom they have parental authority)
• the children of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner who are under 21 years of age or dependent
• the direct ascendants of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner who are dependent
• any other family member who was dependent or part of the household in the country of origin, and/or whom the citizen must personally care for due to their state of health.

Third-country nationals and family reunification

If the main "migrant" is a third-country national (non-EU), the family members authorized to join them are:

• The spouse or registered partner over the age of 18
• The children of the main "migrant" or their spouse/partner under the age of 18 or who are dependents

In exceptional cases, the Minister may also authorize:

• The ascendants (mother and father) of the sponsor or their spouse or partner, when they are dependent on them and deprived of the necessary family support in their country of origin
• The unmarried adult children of the sponsor or their spouse or partner, when they are objectively unable to support themselves due to their state of health

Please note that this exceptional authorization is not a right, as it is for the first two categories.

Waiting periods for family reunification in Luxembourg

The waiting period before family reunification with family members in Luxembourg can be granted depends on the personal status of the main migrant.

The waiting period will be one year for a "migrant" who holds an "employee" residence permit.

For a "highly qualified employee" who holds a "European Blue Card" residence permit, family reunification is authorized immediately.

See other administrative procedures in Luxembourg

Please note that for all administrative procedures in Luxembourg, official documents must be presented in one of the languages used in Luxembourg (Luxembourgish, French, German, or English). If this is not possible, the applicant must use an official translator to translate their documents into an official language.