How do I register my arrival in Luxembourg?
Have you just arrived in Luxembourg, are you moving to another municipality, or are you planning to leave the Grand Duchy soon?
Registering your residence is a mandatory administrative step for anyone settling permanently in Luxembourg.
This formality allows you to be registered in your municipality’s population registry. It also serves as the starting point for many other procedures: residence permit, social security, children’s schooling, waste collection, voter registration, or even a change of address.
Find out about the deadlines to meet, the documents to provide, and the steps to take depending on your situation: newcomer , expatriate, resident already living in Luxembourg, or someone leaving the country permanently.
Reporting a Change of Address in Your Municipality of Residence: Important Information for New Arrivals
- You are required to register your arrival when you move to Luxembourg.
- Citizens of the European Union, the EEA, or Switzerland generally have 8 days to register their residence.
- Nationals of third countries must register within 3 days of their arrival.
- This can be done at the municipal office or, in some municipalities, via MyGuichet.lu.
- A change of address in Luxembourg must also be reported to your new municipality.
- If you are leaving Luxembourg permanently, you must report your departure to your last municipality of residence.
Checklist of steps to take after arriving in Luxembourg
Registering your arrival is often the first step you’ll need to take. This allows you to then complete the other formalities necessary for settling in.
□ Register your arrival with your municipality of residence.
□ Verify your residency status if you are a third-country national.
□ Submit the required identification documents and supporting paperwork.
□ Provide your address to be registered in the population registry.
□ If necessary, complete the procedures related to your residence permit.
□ Enroll your children in school if you are arriving with your family.
□ Check the procedures for family benefits.
□ Set up necessary municipal services: waste collection, parking, and administrative documents.
□ Register with your consulate or embassy if this is necessary for your future procedures.
Deadlines for Registering Your Residence in Luxembourg
| Situation | Deadline | Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Swiss citizen | 8 days | Registration with the municipality of residence |
| Third-country national | 3 days | Registration with the municipality of residence |
| Change of address in Luxembourg | As soon as you move into your new residence | Registration with the new municipality |
| Permanent departure from Luxembourg | Before departure or as required by the municipality | Notify the municipality of your departure |
Registering Your Arrival with Your Municipality of Residence
When you move into a new residence in Luxembourg, you must register your arrival with your new municipality of residence. This process allows you to be entered into the population registry.
You can generally complete this registration in two ways:
- in person, at the population office or the relevant department of your local government;
- online, in certain municipalities, via MyGuichet.lu.
Procedures may vary from one municipality to another. It is therefore advisable to check with your municipal administration before visiting in person or completing the process online.
Registration of Arrival for EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizens
If you are a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, you generally have 8 days to register your new residence in Luxembourg.
You will need to present a valid ID and, depending on the municipality, proof of residence at your new address.
To understand the residency requirements applicable to your nationality, consult our guide: Visas, Residency Permits, and Family Reunification in Luxembourg.
Arrival Registration for Third-Country Nationals
If you are a national of a country outside the European Union, the EEA, or Switzerland, you must generally register your arrival within 3 days of entering Luxembourg.
Before your arrival, make sure you have the necessary documents, including a visa, a residence permit, or a residence authorization, depending on your situation.
Find useful information in our guide: Residence Permits, Visas, and Family Reunification in Luxembourg.
How do you register your new residence?
The declaration of residence must be made by the person concerned or by an authorized representative.
An authorized representative may include:
- your spouse or registered partner living with you;
- a legal guardian;
- a conservator;
- the legal or ad hoc administrator;
- a specially designated agent.
Minors who have not been emancipated must be registered by a parent exercising parental authority or by a legal guardian.
Documents Required to Register with the Population Registry
To register your residence in Luxembourg, you will generally need to present the following documents:
- a valid ID card or passport;
- an entry visa, a residence permit, or a residence card for nationals of non-European Union member states;
- a family record book or family register, if necessary;
- proof of residence at your new address: a lease agreement, deed of sale, electricity service contract in your name, written authorization from the property owner, or another document accepted by the municipality.
The documents required for registration in your new municipality of residence may vary depending on the municipality and your personal situation. Before your appointment, check with your local municipal office for the exact list of documents to provide.
What should you do after registering with the municipality?
Registering with your municipality often allows you to start or complete several important steps to help you settle in Luxembourg.
Complete your essential administrative procedures
After registering your arrival, you can proceed with the steps necessary to settle in: residence permit, essential insurance, municipal services, social security enrollment, taxes and tax returns, or other administrative documents.
See our general guide: Administrative Procedures in Luxembourg.
For a more comprehensive overview of the administrative process: see the other administrative requirements for settling in Luxembourg.
Enroll Your Children in Public School
If you’re arriving in Luxembourg with children, your municipality can guide you through the enrollment process for public elementary school.
Find more information here: Enrolling Your Children in a Luxembourg School.
Check Your Eligibility for Family Benefits
If you’re moving with your family, you may also need to take certain steps to verify your eligibility for family benefits and assistance.
See our guide: Family benefits and assistance for children in Luxembourg.
Arranging everyday municipal services
Registering with the municipality can also help you handle certain practical matters, such as requesting municipal documents or accessing other local services.
For waste collection: trash pickup and waste collection.
For parking: parking in Luxembourg and residential parking.
Registering to Vote
Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may also want to find out about registering to vote in certain local elections in Luxembourg.
See our guide: Voting Rights and Elections in Luxembourg.
Are you moving within Luxembourg?
If you’re leaving your current home to move elsewhere in Luxembourg, you must report your change of address to the municipal administration of your new place of residence.
This declaration allows your new municipality to register you in its population registry. It also results in your removal from the registry of your former place of residence.
This procedure applies in particular to people who:
- are moving to a new residence within the same municipality;
- are moving to another municipality in Luxembourg;
- purchase a property and leave their former residence;
- are moving in with their spouse, partner, or family at a new address.
Have you sold your house or apartment to move elsewhere? Be sure to update your address with the relevant municipality.
Online registration via MyGuichet.lu
You can register your new residence online for certain municipalities via MyGuichet.lu.
This process applies to a single person, a spouse or civil partner, as well as minor children registered in the same household and at the same address.
Looking for a new place to live in Luxembourg? Check out our tips.
Registration at the consulate or embassy of your home country
As a new resident in Luxembourg, it is recommended that you register with the consulate or embassy of your home country if this option is available.
This registration can facilitate the issuance or renewal of official documents such as a passport or national ID card. It can also be useful in the event of a birth, death, marriage, serious accident, notarized document, or other situation requiring consular assistance.
It may also allow you to remain registered on certain national voter rolls as a resident abroad and to continue participating in certain elections in your country of origin.
Here you will find a list of consulates and embassies in Luxembourg.
Learn more about the formalities you need to complete when moving to Luxembourg.
Leaving Luxembourg? Notify your municipality of your departure
If you are leaving Luxembourg permanently, you must report your permanent departure to your last municipality of residence.
This step allows you to be removed from the Luxembourg population register. It is important to properly close out your administrative status in Luxembourg and avoid potential future complications.
How do you report your departure from Luxembourg?
You can generally file your departure notice with your local municipality. Some municipalities also allow you to complete this process online via MyGuichet.lu.
Before you leave, be sure to check any additional steps related to your housing, contracts, insurance, vehicle, taxes, or family situation.
Reporting a Change of Address: Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting several weeks before reporting your arrival.
- Forgetting to bring your lease agreement, deed of sale, or proof of residence.
- Assuming that a change of address is automatic.
- Failing to check the specific deadlines for third-country nationals.
- Forgetting to report your permanent departure from Luxembourg.
- Failing to check the additional steps required after registering with the municipality.
- Forgetting to complete school, family, or voting-related procedures associated with the new address.
FAQ: Registration of Arrival, Change of Address, and Departure from Luxembourg
Is it mandatory to register upon arrival in Luxembourg?
Yes. Anyone moving to Luxembourg must register their residence with their local municipality. This step allows for registration in the population registry.
How soon must you register your arrival in Luxembourg?
Citizens of the European Union, the EEA, or Switzerland generally have 8 days to do so. Third-country nationals must register within 3 days of their arrival.
Where do you register your residence in Luxembourg?
You must register with the municipal administration of your place of residence, usually at the population office or the relevant municipal department.
Can you register your arrival online?
Yes, some municipalities allow you to register your residence online via MyGuichet.lu. However, the procedures vary depending on the municipality in question.
What documents do you need to provide to register your arrival?
You will generally need to present a valid ID card or passport, proof of residence at your new address, and—for third-country nationals—a visa, a residence permit, or a residence title.
Do I need to report a change of address in Luxembourg?
Yes. If you move within Luxembourg, you must register your new residence with your new municipality. The municipality will then register you and remove you from the records of your former municipality.
Can I register my entire family at the same time?
Yes. According to the established procedures, the registration may include a single person, a spouse or registered partner, as well as minor children living in the same household and at the same address.
What should I do after registering my arrival?
After registering with the municipality, you can proceed with the steps related to settling in: obtaining a residence permit if necessary, enrolling children in school, applying for family benefits, accessing municipal services, arranging for trash collection, or registering to vote.
Do I need to report my departure from Luxembourg?
Yes. If you are leaving Luxembourg permanently, you must report your departure to your last municipality of residence in order to be removed from the population register.
Is registration with the consulate mandatory?
Registration with the consulate or embassy of your home country is not always mandatory, but it is often recommended. It simplifies certain procedures, such as renewing official documents or voting in certain elections in your home country.
Articles in the category Administrative procedures
Moving to Luxembourg: Customs Exemptions and Importing Personal Belongings
Are you moving to Luxembourg from abroad? Find out under what conditions your personal belongings, furniture, and vehicle can be imported duty- and VAT-free, as well as what supporting documents and customs procedures you need to prepare.
How do you register your vehicle in Luxembourg?
Whether you’re arriving with your own car or purchasing a vehicle in Luxembourg or abroad, there are several steps you’ll need to take to obtain a Luxembourg registration. Find out about all the steps, the documents you’ll need to provide, the costs, the processing times, and the formalities based on your situation.
Administrative Procedures in Luxembourg: A Comprehensive Guide for Expats and Newcomers
Are you planning to move to Luxembourg? Find all the essential administrative steps here: residency, residence permit, social security, LuxTrust, family, taxes, and public services.