Register a birth
Every birth that takes place in Luxembourg must be registered with the municipality where the child was born, even if the parents are not residents of Luxembourg. Here you will find all the administrative steps you need to take to register your newborn in Luxembourg.
Who registers the birth of a child?
Generally, the birth is registered by the father or mother of the newborn.
If neither parent is available, the registration may be completed by anyone who was present at the birth, such as the doctor, midwife, or any other person who assisted with the delivery.
Registering a Newborn with the Luxembourg Civil Registry
Obligation to register a birth
Every birth must be registered with the municipality where the birth took place. This is the legal responsibility of the parents.
This must be done in person. The procedure is not available online.
However, certain related procedures (such as requesting a birth certificate) can now be completed online via MyGuichet
Although the civil registry is notified daily of births in Luxembourg hospitals and clinics, this does not constitute a birth registration.
Please note: non-Luxembourgish parents must register the infant with the municipality of birth, then with their respective consulate or embassy. If the parents are nationals of a country that does not have a consulate or embassy in Luxembourg, they should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Non-residents must register the child in the municipality of birth. Additionally, they must complete the necessary procedures with their own municipality to have the child recognized in their country of residence.
Civil Registry for the City of Luxembourg: Bierger-Center 44, Place Guillaume II / 2, Rue Notre-Dame – 1st floor L-2090 Luxembourg.
Deadlines for registering a birth in Luxembourg
The birth of a baby must be registered within 10 days of the date of delivery. However, if the 10th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the deadline is extended to the first business day following the weekend or legal holiday.
If the birth is not registered with the civil registry within the legal timeframe, the child is not legally recognized. In such a case, the birth certificate will be registered by court order. This may result in significant legal costs for the parents.
A father who completes the civil registry procedures is entitled to 10 days of special leave for the birth of his child.
Are you pregnant? More information on maternity leave
Documents required to register a birth
To register the birth of a child, several documents must be submitted depending on the situation:
- The birth certificate issued by the midwife or doctor to the parents of the newborn,
- The form for choosing the child’s surname (for Luxembourgish, French, Belgian, or Portuguese nationals). This form must be signed by both parents.
- The family record book or a marriage certificate, if the child was born to a married couple
- The ID of the person registering the birth if they are not one of the parents, the father, or the mother
- If one of the parents is a Luxembourg national or was born in Luxembourg: a joint declaration, signed by both parents, specifying the child’s name.
Important! The marriage certificate must be translated into French, German, or English.
For parents wishing to pass on their citizenship, it is essential to understand the steps required to acquire Luxembourgish nationality by descent, thereby ensuring a stable and fulfilling future for their child.
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Other steps to take when a child is born in Luxembourg
Reporting the birth to various agencies
Once the birth has been registered, the registrar issues eight copies of the birth certificate. These copies must be sent to the following agencies:
- The municipal administration of the place of residence if it differs from the place of birth
- The employer
- The National Fund for Children’s Future (CAE), along with applications for the birth allowance and the child’s future allowance
- The Health Insurance Fundto enroll the child in health insurance and obtain their national identification number
- Your insurance provider to update your various insurance policies if necessary
- The Housing Assistance Department of the Ministry of Housing if the parents receive housing assistance
- Embassy or consulate of the country of origin
- …
If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to contact a childcare provider for your child to arrange their next childcare arrangement as soon as possible. You may want to submit an application in advance, especially if the childcare facility you’re targeting is in high demand.
See more information on parental leave in Luxembourg.
Baby-years with the pension insurance
Principle of baby-years
Any parent enrolled in the Luxembourg social security system AND who has dedicated themselves to raising their child—including an adopted child under the age of 4—is entitled to an additional 2 years of service credited toward their pension.This period, known as “Baby Years,” amounts to 48 months if, at the time of birth, the parent is already caring for two children or is responsible for a child with a disability of more than 50%.
The “baby years” can only be claimed by one parent or divided between both parents. The incomeamount used for calculation corresponds to the monthly average of the income subject to contributions during the 12-month insurance period preceding the birth. A minimum amount indexed to the cost of living will be used for this calculation.
How to qualify for the baby years
To qualify, the applicant must provide proof ofat least 12 monthsof mandatory insurance in Luxembourg or in a European Union country during the 36 months preceding the birth or adoption of the child.
The application must be submitted to the National Pension Insurance Fund at any time. However, it will only be approved upon application for a pension.
It is essential to understand your rights as a worker. For more information on the conditions related to CNS sick leave, please consult the available resources.
Birth and Taxation
To ensure optimal management of your finances after the birth of your child, it is essential to familiarize yourself with local tax regulations. To do so, you can consult the guide to calculating taxes in Luxembourg, which will provide you with all the necessary information on the tax procedures applicable to your family situation.
Learn more about administrative procedures in Luxembourg
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✔️ Checklist – Registering a Birth in Luxembourg (Expat Parents)
The arrival of a child is an exciting time, often accompanied by many administrative steps. This checklist helps you plan ahead and move forward step by step, with peace of mind.
Before the birth
- ☐ Verify the child’s paternity (if you are not married)
- ☐ Decide on the child’s last name (specific rules in Luxembourg)
- ☐ Prepare the necessary documents:
- parents’ identification documents
- marriage certificate (if applicable)
- ☐ Identify the municipality where the birth will be registered
Within 10 days of the birth
- ☐ Register the birth with the municipality of the place of birth
- ☐ Bring the required documents (birth notification, identification documents, etc.)
- ☐ Request multiple copies of the birth certificate
After registration
- ☐ Verify enrollment in Social Security
- ☐ Submit an application for child benefits to the Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants (CAE)
- ☐ Enroll your child in childcare (if needed)
Special considerations for expatriates
- ☐ Contact your embassy or consulate to register the birth in your home country
- ☐ Check the citizenship rules applicable to your child
- ☐ Plan ahead for the processing times and documents required by your country
Key takeaway: Don’t hesitate to seek help or divide the tasks between you and your partner. In the first few days with your child, simplifying the process can make all the difference.
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