Visas, residence permits, family reunification

Who is eligible to reside in Luxembourg?

The right to reside in Luxembourg is, with some exceptions, subject to the applicant’s ability to support themselves and their family. Applicants must not be a burden on the social assistance system.

Since Luxembourg is part ofthe European Union (EU) andthe Schengen Area, visa or residence permit requirements depend on:

• Your nationality: EU citizen or third-country national
• The length of your stay: less than or more than 90 days

Certain specific cases (cross-border workers, asylum seekers, or applicants for international protection) are handled separately.

Documents required to enter and stay in Luxembourg

• Valid official identification documents (ID card or passport)
• Accepted languages: French, German, or English. Otherwise, a translation by a certified translator.

Regardless of the nature or duration of their stay, anyone wishing to stay in Luxembourg must possess a valid official identity document at the time of travel.

All documents presented must be in French, German, or English. Otherwise, they must be translated by a certified translator.

European nationals

• A standard national ID card is sufficient.
• Check that your ID is valid for travel within the EU.
• For minors, an ID card or family record book is required.

To stay in Luxembourg, a simple ID card is sufficient for citizens of the European Union. Luxembourg would even accept a card that expired 10 years ago.
However, we strongly advise you to verify that your ID is valid for travel within Europe from Luxembourg or upon your return. The other country may indeed refuse you entry or prevent you from boarding your return flight.

Luxembourg requires an ID card for Luxembourgish minors over the age of 15. Make sure you have official identification documents from your country of origin, or, if unavailable, a family record book, to travel across borders.

Third-country nationals

• Avalid passport, and possibly an additional visa for everyone, including minors.
• The list of required documents depends on your status (employee, student, self-employed, researcher, etc.) and is available on Guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

However, third-country nationals wishing to reside in Luxembourg must present a valid passport and, if applicable, an additional visa, including for minors.

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

Passport Validity

• Issued less than 10 years ago
• Valid for at least 3 months after the end of the planned stay
• Contains at least 2 blank pages

Medical examination

• Required for all third-country nationals applying for a residence permit valid for more than 3 months
• Medical examination by a general practitioner or specialist
• Tuberculosis screening conducted by the Ligue médico-sociale (LMS)
• The costs are the responsibility of the applicant

Residence of European Union Citizens in Luxembourg

Principle of free movement within the Schengen Area

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

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

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

All nationals of states that have acceded to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) are also covered.

Citizens of the Swiss Confederation are treated as EU citizens.

Family members of an EU 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

• No specific administrative procedures
• Valid ID card or passport
• Compliance with municipal regulations for registration in the population registry

EU nationals do not need to take any steps to stay in Luxembourg for less than 3 months. They must, however, comply with the provisions set forth in the various municipal regulations to register in the population registry of your municipality.

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

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Staying in Luxembourg for more than 3 months

• Proving employment, self-employment, or sufficient financial means
• Students: enrollment in a Luxembourg institution
• Register your arrival with the municipality within 8 days
• Municipal certificate issued for the entire family.

Citizens of the European Union and those with equivalent status 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 authorized to join the primary “migrant” if the latter is a citizen of the European Union. See the section below on family reunification.

If unemployed, an EU citizen staying in Luxembourg for more than 3 months must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves and their family. They must also prove their status as a family member of an EU citizen, while being an EU citizen themselves.

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

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

The list of documents required for a visa depends on the EU citizen’s status. This list is available at www.guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

If they wish to stay in Luxembourg for more than 3 months, all citizens of the European Union and those with equivalent status must file a declaration of arrival with the municipal administration of their place of residence within 8 days of settling in. The municipal office will issue them a “certificate of registration” for the entire family. They must keep this certificate for the duration of their stay.

Right to permanent residence

• After 5 years of lawful residence: right to permanent residence, eligibility to apply for Luxembourg citizenship, and certain voting rights

Residence in Luxembourg for Third-Country Nationals

Third-country nationals (outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland) must complete specific procedures to reside in Luxembourg. These procedures vary primarily depending on the length of stay and the reason for the stay (work, studies, family reunification, etc.).

In all cases, you must have:

• A visa prior to departure
• A residence permit corresponding to their status (employee, self-employed, student, researcher, etc.)
• Certain professions or specific statuses may qualify for simplified procedures

Non-EU nationals wishing to travel to Luxembourg must possess a valid travel document (passport) and a visa prior to their trip to Luxembourg . See here for the list of countries requiring a visa or not.

The documents required to obtain a residence permit or visa depend on the purpose of the applicant’s stay in Luxembourg. The list is available at www.guichet.public.lu or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

These regulatory provisions are mandatory for simple transit or for a regular stay in Luxembourg , regardless of its duration.

Stays of less than 90 days (short-term stay)

For a short-term stay, a Schengen Type C visa may be required depending on your nationality. The application must be submitted to a Luxembourg embassy or consulate (or a country representing Luxembourg) prior to arrival in Luxembourg.

Obtaining a visa for Luxembourg guarantees the holder’s freedom of movement not only in Luxembourg but also in all countries within the Schengen Area.

The documents generally required are:

• a valid passport
• an application form and a photo
• travel insurance
• supporting documents related to the stay (purpose, accommodation)
• proof of sufficient financial resources

If these funds cannot be verified, a person residing in Luxembourg may provide a letter of financial support covering the costs of the stay, healthcare, and return travel.

This process can now be completed online via MyGuichet.lu (with secure authentication).

Please note:

• this commitment does not constitute an entry or residence permit
• it does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.

Stays of more than 90 days (long-term stay)

For any stay exceeding 3 months, it is mandatory to obtain a temporary residence permit before arriving in Luxembourg.

The type of residence permit depends on your situation: employee, self-employed, student, researcher, au pair, or family reunification.

The main steps are as follows:

1. Apply for a residence permit with the Immigration Office
2. Obtain a visa (if necessary) to enter the country
3. Register your arrival with the local municipality
4. Undergo a mandatory medical examination
5. Apply for a residence permit
6. Validity of passports for third-country nationals in Luxembourg

Passport validity

To enter and stay in Luxembourg, the passport must:

• have been issued within the last 10 years
• be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the planned stay
• have at least 2 blank pages

These conditions also apply when transiting through the Schengen Area.

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 a 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 the medical examination for non-EU foreigners applying for a residence permit in Luxembourg valid for more than 3 months. This examination may be performed by any general practitioner, specialist in internal medicine, or specialist in pediatrics.

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

The medical costs of these examinations are the responsibility of the applicant.

The EU Blue Card

For highly qualified employees, the EU Blue Card allows them to live and work in Luxembourg, with specific benefits:

• Main requirements: recognized degree and a qualified employment contract
• Minimum salary: €65,653 gross/year (effective March 3, 2026). Certain fixed bonuses may count toward the minimum salary calculation, but the amount must be guaranteed in EUR and paid via payroll.
• Benefits:
  • Direct access to family reunification
  • Possibility of intra-EU mobility after 18 months
  • Counting of time spent in the country toward permanent residency

Right of permanent residence in Luxembourg

After 5 years of continuous legal residence in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, residents (regardless of their origin, whether EU or non-EU) may apply for permanent residence in Luxembourg.

After 5 years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Luxembourg, third-country nationals may apply for the right of permanent residence.

This status notably allows for:

• settle permanently in Luxembourg
• to apply, under certain conditions, for Luxembourgish citizenship
• to access certain civil rights

Right of residence in Luxembourg: specific cases

General principles

First and foremost, and except in specific cases, the right of residence in Luxembourg 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 assistance system.

Furthermore, Luxembourg is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Consequently , 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 seeking 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?

Furthermore, certain specific cases, such as cross-border workers, asylum seekers, or applicants for international protection,have specific authorizations to stay in Luxembourg. We address these cases further down on this page.

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

Find here a list of what you need to know to move your personal belongings to Luxembourg.

Cross-border worker in Luxembourg

• Work permit required for third-country nationals
• Family members of an EU citizen already working in Luxembourg may be exempt from the work permit requirement

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

However, if the prospective cross-border worker is the spouse, registered partner, or child of an EU citizen or equivalent 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 matter.

Refugees and Applicants for International Protection in Luxembourg

• Protection status granted: 5-year residence permit

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

Stateless persons

• Issuance of a residence permit if conditions are met

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

More information on these specific immigration cases in Luxembourg is available at guichet.lu

Family Reunification in Luxembourg

Conditions for family reunification

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

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

However, the applicant must provide proof of family membership or financial support justifying family reunification through an official document issued by the country of origin

European Union Citizens and Family Reunification

If the principal “migrant” is a citizen of the European Union, their family members are authorized to join them if they are:

• the spouse or registered partner
• a common-law partner (a duly attested 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 or dependent
• the direct ascendants of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner who are dependents
• any other family member who, in the country of origin, was a dependent or part of the household, and/or whom the citizen must personally care for due to their state of health.

Third-country nationals and family reunification

If the principal “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 principal “migrant” or their spouse/partner who are under 18 or dependent

In exceptional cases, the Minister may also authorize:

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

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

Waiting period for family reunification in Luxembourg

The waiting period before being able to obtain family reunification with one’s family in Luxembourg depends on the principal migrant’s personal status.

The waiting period is one year for a “migrant” holding an “Employee” residence permit.

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

See other administrative procedures in Luxembourg

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