Loading...
Loading...
Settling and integrating successfully in Luxembourg with Just Arrived
Would you like to emigrate to Luxembourg? Is your family already living there and would you like to join them? Before arriving in Luxembourg, you must ensure that you have the necessary visa and/or residence permit to travel.
Here you will find all the information you need to stay in Luxembourg, depending on your country of origin and the length of your planned stay in Luxembourg.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To travel to Luxembourg, nationals of countries outside the EU must have a passport that is:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
If the main "migrant" is a citizen of the European Union, members of their family are allowed to join them if they are:
If the main "migrant" is a third-country national (non-EU), the family members authorized to join them are:
In exceptional cases, the Minister may also authorize:
Please note that this exceptional authorization is not a right, as it is for the first two categories.
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.
To find out about the potential advantages and disadvantages of immigrating to Luxembourg, we invite you to consult our comprehensive overview of expatriate life in Luxembourg.
Ready to move? Check out our guide to importing your belongings to Luxembourg.
Freshly arrived in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, you've just moved in and enrolled your children in their new school. Next step? The vehicle. You'll need to get your driving license recognized, insure your vehicle and register it in Luxembourg.
Have you just arrived in Luxembourg and plan to stay for a short or long period of time? Registering your residence in Luxembourg is a mandatory administrative procedure that you must complete as an expatriate.
How does divorce work in Luxembourg? What do you need to know if you want to file for divorce or are the victim of a divorce petition filed by your spouse? Here we provide you with useful information in the event of divorce in Luxembourg.