Living in Luxembourg: what administrative procedures?

Obtaining a visa or permit to stay in Luxembourg depends on several factors:

country of origin of the person applying for immigration to Luxembourg, citizen of the European Union or of a third country,
length of stay, more or less than 90 days.

Here you will find all the information you need to stay in Luxembourg, depending on your country of origin and the duration of your stay in Luxembourg.

We also mention here some specific cases such as border workers, asylum seekers or applicants for international protection.

See also our paragraph on family reunification . You already live in Luxembourg and wish to bring your family to Luxembourg? Would you like to join an expatriate relative in Luxembourg? Find out more here.

Authorization to stay and documents to be presented

The right of residence in Luxembourg, except in special cases, is subject to the ability to support oneself and one’s family.
Applicants for the right of residence must not be a financial burden on the social welfare system.

All candidates for expatriation to Luxembourg must have an official identity document valid at the time of their trip to Luxembourg.
A simple identity card is sufficient for citizens of the European Union. Third-country nationals, on the other hand, are required to present a passport and, if necessary, an additional visa.

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

Nationals of the European Union

Principle of free movement within the Schengen Area

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

As such, all nationals of the European Union (EU) or an assimilated country benefit from free movement within the EU. This status gives him the right to live and work in any EU country, including Luxembourg.

The Schengen area concerns the countries of the European Union 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 states that have acceded to the European Economic Area Agreement (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are also affected.

Swiss nationals are treated in the same way as EU citizens.

Family members of a European Union citizen, who are themselves EU citizens, are also allowed to stay in Luxembourg. See “Family Reunion” below.

Staying in Luxembourg for less than 3 months for a citizen of the Union

The EU national does not have to do anything to stay in Luxembourg for less than 3 months. However, it must comply with the provisions of the various communal regulations concerning the keeping of population registers.

They must also be in possession of a valid national identity card or passport for the duration of their stay.

Staying in Luxembourg for more than 3 months as a citizen of the Union

European Union citizens and assimilated persons can stay in Luxembourg for more than 3 months provided they can prove that they are employed or self-employed in Luxembourg.

In the absence of a job, the EU citizen must prove that he or she has sufficient financial means to support himself or herself and his or her family. He/she must also prove that he/she is a family member of a Union citizen, while being an EU citizen himself/herself. Students enrolled in a Luxembourg school can also stay in Luxembourg.

Citizens of the European Union and assimilated, must make a declaration of arrival to the local administration of the place of residence within 8 days of installation. A “certificate of registration” is issued immediately and must be retained.

EU nationals wishing to reside in Luxembourg for more than 3 months must be in possession of a valid national identity card or passport.

Family members are allowed to join the main “migrant”, if the latter is a citizen of the European Union. See below the paragraph on family reunification.

The list of documents to be provided depends on the status of the EU citizen. This list is available on www.guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Third country nationals: residence permit and medical check-up

Non-EU citizens wishing to travel to Luxembourg must have a valid travel document (passport) and a visa prior to their trip to Luxembourg. See here the list of the countries concerned by a visa or not.

This is valid for a simple transit or for a regular stay.

Validity of the passport

To be valid for travel to Luxembourg, the passport must :

be issued less than 10 years ago
be valid for at least 3 months longer than the intended stay in Luxembourg
contain at least 2 blank sheets.

Visa and residence permit according to the status of the national

The visa must be issued prior to travel to Luxembourg by a Luxembourg consulate or a representative diplomatic mission of Luxembourg. Obtaining this card guarantees free movement in Luxembourg, but also in all the countries of the Schengen area.

The residence permit granted in Luxembourg depends on the status of the non-EU national (employee, self-employed, student, researcher, professional sportsman, au pair, etc.). Family reunification is also subject to special treatment.

The list of documents to be presented, depending on the activity, can be consulted on www.guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign & European Affairs.

Medical examination of foreigners in order to obtain a residence permit

The immigration medical service organizes the medical examination of foreigners (from outside the EU) who apply for a residence permit in Luxembourg for more than 3 months. These persons must undergo a compulsory medical examination and a tuberculosis screening.

This procedure concerns all migrants who are not citizens of the European Union or an assimilated country. This examination can be performed by any general practitioner, internal medicine specialist or pediatric specialist.

Tuberculosis screening is mandatorily and exclusively performed by the Medical Social League (MSL).

Medical expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.

After 5 years of continuous residence in Luxembourg

After a regular uninterrupted stay of 5 years in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, residents can apply for the right of permanent residence in Luxembourg. They can also acquire the right to vote in certain elections.

After 5 years of residence, Luxembourg residents can also apply for Luxembourg nationality.

Specific cases

Cross-border worker from a non-EU country

A frontier worker from a third country of the European Union or an assimilated country must first have a work permit before being able to come and work in Luxembourg without residing there.

However, if he or she is the spouse, official partner or child of a citizen of the European Union or of an equivalent country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland), already working in Luxembourg, he or she may apply in advance for an exemption from the work permit requirement from the Immigration Branch of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Refugees and applicants for international protection

Luxembourg recognizes the right of asylum which confers a residence permit to the title. of the 5-year international protection.

Stateless people

Stateless status may also be granted to an applicant who meets the necessary requirements.

More information on these specific cases on guichet.lu

Family reunification, bringing your family to Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, family reunification is defined differently depending on the status of the “main migrant”, to whom the various family members will be attached.
Different cases arise if the person authorized to reside on Luxembourg territory is a citizen of a European country or a national of a third country.

Family life is a right found in article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Luxembourg applies the European policy like many other European countries.

Nevertheless, proof of family membership or financial support justifying a rapprochement will have to be provided by the applicant, thanks to an official document from the country of origin.

Citizens of the European Union

If the main “migrant” is a citizen of the European Union, the following family members are allowed to join him/her:

The spouse or registered partner
The partner in a common-law relationship (duly attested long-term relationship, cohabitation of at least 1 year prior to the application and/or a child in common for whom they have parental authority)
Children of the EU citizen or his/her spouse/partner under 21 years of age or dependent
Direct ascendants of the EU citizen or his/her spouse/ dependent partner
Any other family member who in the country of origin was dependent or was part of the household, and/or for whom the citizen has an imperative and personal need of care due to his/her health condition.

Citizens of a third country, other than the EU

Family members authorized for family reunification

If the main “migrant” is a citizen of a third country (outside the EU), the family members allowed to join are

Spouse or registered partner over the age of 18
Children of the principal “migrant” or his/her spouse/partner who are under 18 years of age or dependent

Exceptionally, the Minister may also authorize (but this is not a right as for the first two categories):

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

How long does it take for family reunification ?

The waiting period for family reunification depends on the personal status of the principal migrant.

For a “migrant” holding an “employee” residence permit, the waiting period will be one year.

For a “highly qualified employee” holding a “European Blue Card” residence permit, family reunification is directly authorized.

Please note: official documents must be presented in one of the languages used in Luxembourg: Luxembourgish, French or German. if not, the applicant must use an official translator.

See the other administrative steps in Luxembourg