Voting Rights in Luxembourg: Elections, Registration, and Procedures
Do you live in Luxembourg and want to understand your voting rights? The Luxembourg electoralsystem can be surprising to newcomers: voting is mandatory for registered voters, but not all elections are open to the same categories of residents.
Depending on your nationality, place of residence, and registration on the voter rolls, you may be eligible to vote in municipal, European, legislative, or professional elections.
This guide provides essential information for expats, foreign residents, and newcomers on voting and elections in Luxembourg: who can vote, how to register, which elections to participate in, how to vote by mail, and what mistakes to avoid.
Voting in Luxembourg: What Expats and Newcomers Need to Know
- In Luxembourg, voting is mandatory for voters registered on the voter rolls.
- Luxembourg citizens are automatically registered on the voter rolls.
- Non-Luxembourg residents may vote in municipal elections, provided they are registered.
- European Union citizens residing in Luxembourg can vote in European elections in Luxembourg if they register on the Luxembourg voter rolls.
- Parliamentary elections are open only to Luxembourg citizens.
- Registration on the voter rolls can be done via MyGuichet.lu or at the local municipality.
- Once registered, voting is mandatory, except in cases of exemption or accepted excuse.
In which elections can you vote in Luxembourg?
Voting rights depend primarily on your nationality. A Luxembourg citizen does not have the same voting rights as a resident who is a citizen of the European Union or a resident who is a citizen of a third country.
| Your situation | Elections covered | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg citizen residing in Luxembourg | Municipal, legislative, European, and referendums, as applicable | Automatic voter registration and mandatory voting. |
| Luxembourg citizens residing abroad | Legislative, European, and national referendums, as applicable | Voting by mail is permitted. |
| Foreign residents who are citizens of the European Union | Municipal and European elections | Voluntary registration on the Luxembourg voter rolls. |
| Foreign residents from outside the European Union | Municipal | Voluntary registration on the municipal voter rolls. |
| Employees in Luxembourg | Social/professional elections, as applicable | Rights related to professional status and the relevant organizations. |
Voting in Luxembourg: A Right and an Obligation
In Luxembourg, voting is both a civic right and an obligation forvoters registered on the voter rolls.
Luxembourgish citizens aged 18 and older are automatically registered. Foreign residents, on the other hand, must register voluntarily if they wish to vote in elections open to non-Luxembourgish citizens.
Once registered, voters are required to vote. Penalties may apply in the event of an unjustified failure to vote. However, certain situations may be considered valid excuses, including age, health, or work-related constraints.
Before registering on the voter rolls, keep in mind that voting is mandatory in Luxembourg for registered voters. Registration is therefore a long-term civic commitment.
How do you register to vote?
To vote in Luxembourg as a foreign resident, you must apply to be registered on the appropriate voter rolls.
Registration can generally be completed:
- online via MyGuichet.lu;
- or in person at your local municipal office, with a valid form of identification.
Registration on the voter rolls is permanent. It therefore does not need to be renewed for each election. If you move to another municipality in Luxembourg, your registration is generally transferred automatically.
If a voter wishes to be removed from the voter rolls, they must submit a written request to the municipal council, attaching a copy of their ID card.
Checklist: Registering to Vote in Luxembourg
□ Check your nationality and the elections in which you are eligible to vote.
□ Verify that you are a resident of Luxembourg.
□ Have a valid form of identification ready.
□ Check the registration deadline before the election.
□ Submit your application via MyGuichet.lu or at your local municipality.
□ Keep your registration confirmation.
□ Carefully read the notice you receive before the election.
□ Request a mail-in ballot if you are unable to vote in person.
Municipal Elections in Luxembourg
Municipal elections are held to elect municipal council members. They take place every 6 years. The next municipal elections will be held in 2029.
Since the reform applicable to the 2023 municipal elections, foreign residents can participate in municipal elections without a minimum residency requirement in Luxembourg, provided they meet the criteria and register by the deadline.
Who Can Vote in Municipal Elections?
To be eligible to vote in municipal elections, a voter must generally:
- be at least 18 years old on election day;
- be registered on the municipal voter roll by the deadline;
- enjoy full civil rights and not have been deprived of the right to vote;
- be a Luxembourg citizen or a non-Luxembourg resident;
- be domiciled in the municipality where they wish to vote.
For more information, visit jepeuxvoter.lu.
Can you run for office in municipal elections?
A non-Luxembourg resident may, under certain conditions, run for office in the municipal electionsin their municipality of residence.
In particular, they must have resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 years and have lived in the municipality in question for at least 6 months. The candidacy must be filed by the deadline set before the election.
How does the municipal election take place?
Municipal elections are held by secret ballot in a single round. Voters receive a notice indicating the polling place where they must go with a valid form of identification.
Municipalities with fewer than 3,000 residents vote using the relative majority system. Municipalities with 3,000 or more residents vote using the proportional representation system.
Each voter has a number of votes equal to the number of seats to be filled on the municipal council. Voters may cast their votes for an entire list, distribute their votes among several candidates, or give up to two votes to a single candidate, without exceeding the total number of votes available.
Municipal elections are held to elect representatives for each municipality in Luxembourg. The mayor and aldermen are then appointed in accordance with the rules applicable at the municipal level.
Parliamentary Elections in Luxembourg
Legislative elections are held every 5 years. They are used to elect the 60 members who make up the Chamber of Deputies.
These elections determine the composition of Parliament and influence the formation of the government. The next elections will take place in 2028.
Who can vote in parliamentary elections?
Parliamentary elections are open only to Luxembourg citizens.
To vote in parliamentary elections, a voter must:
- be a Luxembourg citizen;
- be at least 18 years of age on election day;
- enjoy full civil and political rights;
- be domiciled in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, except in the case of absentee voting for Luxembourgers residing abroad.
All Luxembourgish voters registered on the voter rolls are eligible to vote in parliamentary elections.
How do you vote in parliamentary elections?
For parliamentary elections, Luxembourg is divided into 4 constituencies:
- Central: 21 members of parliament;
- South: 23 members of parliament;
- North: 9 members of parliament;
- East: 7 members of parliament.
Each voter has a number of votes equal to the number of representatives to be elected in their district. They may vote for an entire list or distribute their votes among several candidates, including those from different lists.
Voters may also cast two votes for the same candidate, provided they do not exceed the total number of votes allowed.
To understand how the country’s political system works, see our guide to Luxembourg’s institutions and political parties.
European Elections in Luxembourg
European elections are held to elect Luxembourg’s six representatives to the European Parliament. They take place every five years. The next elections will be held in 2029.
Luxembourg citizens and citizens of another European Union member state residing in Luxembourg may vote in the European elections, provided they meet the applicable criteria.
Learn more about the role of the European Union in Luxembourg.
European Residents: Vote in Luxembourg or in Your Home Country?
A European Union citizen residing in Luxembourg may choose to vote for Luxembourg’s representatives to the European Parliament, provided they register on the European electoral rolls in Luxembourg.
They may also choose to vote for representatives from their home country, in accordance with the procedures established by their consulate or their country’s authorities. However, they may not vote twice in the same European elections.
Please note: You must therefore choose between voting in Luxembourg or voting in your home country for the European elections.
Requirements for Voting in the European Elections in Luxembourg
To vote in the European elections in Luxembourg, you generally must:
- be at least 18 years old on election day;
- be a Luxembourg national or a national of another European Union member state;
- be a resident of Luxembourg;
- be registered on the European electoral roll by the deadline;
- not be voting simultaneously in another Member State for the same elections.
Non-Luxembourgish EU residents can register with their municipality of residence or via MyGuichet.lu.
Union and Social Elections
In Luxembourg, certain residents may also participate in professional or social elections, depending on their status as an employee, self-employed individual, retiree, or member of certain organizations.
These elections are used, in particular, to elect representatives to professional institutions, professional chambers, or organizations related to the world of work.
The requirements vary depending on the election in question. Employees working in Luxembourg, including certain cross-border workers, may be affected by these procedures.
How does an election take place in Luxembourg?
Elections in Luxembourg are held by secret ballot. Voters go into the voting booth, fill out their ballot, fold it, and then deposit it in the ballot box under the supervision of polling station officials.
At the end of the election, the ballots are counted polling station by polling station. The results are used to allocate seats according to the rules specific to each election.
When no single party has a sufficient majority to govern alone, negotiations may be held between parties to form a coalition and establish a common platform.
Absentee Voting in Luxembourg
Voting by mail allows you to cast your ballot when you are unable to go to the polling station on Election Day.
Voting by proxy is not permitted in Luxembourg. If you are absent, unable to vote, or in a special situation, you must therefore request to vote by mail.
Who can apply for absentee voting?
Postal voting is available, in particular, to:
- voters over the age of 75;
- people who are unable to travel due to health reasons;
- people who cannot go to the polling place for duly justified professional or personal reasons;
- voters who live in a municipality other than the one where they are registered to vote;
- Luxembourg citizens residing abroad for certain elections.
When should you request a mail-in ballot?
The request for a mail-in ballot must be submitted to the College of the Mayor and Aldermen of your municipality within the specified deadlines prior to the election.
The exact deadlines vary depending on the type of election and where the election notice is mailed. It is therefore recommended that you check the official information as soon as you receive your election notice.
For more information on elections and the right to vote in Luxembourg, visit the official websites: www.guichet.public.lu and www.elections.public.lu.
Consulate, Country of Origin, and Voting from Luxembourg
As an expatriate or foreign resident in Luxembourg, you may also be eligible to vote in elections in your country of origin.
Depending on your nationality, it may be helpful to register with your home country’s consulate or embassy in Luxembourg. This registration may make it easier for you to participate in certain national, presidential, legislative, or European elections, depending on your country’s rules.
Please note: For European elections, you cannot vote in both Luxembourg and your home country.
Don’t forget to register with your home country’s consulate in Luxembourg if you wish to continue participating in certain elections in your home country.
Becoming a Luxembourg Citizen and Voting in National Elections
Foreign residents who obtain Luxembourgish citizenship become Luxembourgish citizens, with the rights and obligations associated with that status.
They may then participate in elections reserved for Luxembourg citizens, including parliamentary elections.
For more information: Luxembourg citizenship: requirements and procedures.
Practical Summary for Expats
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can a foreigner vote in Luxembourg? | Yes, in municipal elections. EU citizens can also vote in European elections. |
| Are foreign nationals eligible to vote in parliamentary elections? | No, they are reserved for Luxembourg citizens. |
| Is voting mandatory? | Yes, for voters registered on the electoral rolls. |
| Can you vote by proxy? | No. Voting by mail may be requested in certain cases. |
| Do you have to re-register after moving? | Registration is generally transferred automatically when you move to a different municipality in Luxembourg. |
Mistakes to Avoid in Luxembourg Elections
- Thinking that all residents can vote in every election.
- Forgetting that registration on the voter rolls makes voting mandatory.
- Waiting until the last minute to register to vote.
- Confusing municipal, legislative, and European elections.
- Voting in European elections both in Luxembourg and in your home country.
- Failing to request an absentee ballot if you’ll be away.
- Forgetting to update your information after a change of address.
- Failing to register with the consulate to continue voting in your home country.
FAQ: Voting Rights and Elections in Luxembourg
Can an expatriate vote in Luxembourg?
Yes, depending on their nationality and the type of election. Non-Luxembourg residents can vote in municipal elections. European Union citizens can also vote in European elections in Luxembourg if they register on the voter rolls.
Can foreigners vote in parliamentary elections?
No. Parliamentary elections are reserved for Luxembourg citizens.
Is voting mandatory in Luxembourg?
Yes. Voting is mandatory for voters registered on the voter rolls. However, certain situations may be accepted as valid excuses or exemptions.
How do I register to vote?
You can register via MyGuichet.lu or at your municipality of residence, with a valid form of identification.
Can a non-European resident vote in municipal elections?
Yes, a non-European resident can vote in municipal elections if they meet the required conditions and are registered on the municipal voter rolls.
Can a European citizen vote in European elections in Luxembourg?
Yes, if they reside in Luxembourg and are registered on the Luxembourg European voter rolls. They cannot vote both in Luxembourg and in their country of origin for the same elections.
Can you vote by proxy in Luxembourg?
No. Proxy voting is not permitted in Luxembourg. If you are absent or unable to vote in person, you must request to vote by mail.
What happens if I move to another municipality?
If you move within Luxembourg, your voter registration is generally transferred automatically to the new municipality after you report your change of address.
Can a foreign resident run for office in municipal elections?
Yes, under certain conditions. A non-Luxembourg resident may run for municipal office if they meet the required residency and candidacy filing conditions.
Do I need to register with the consulate of my home country?
This is not always mandatory, but it is often recommended so you can continue to participate in certain elections in your home country and to facilitate your consular procedures.
More information on elections in Luxembourg is available on Guichet.lu.
More information on the political system in Luxembourg.
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