Immigrate to Luxembourg

Foreign citizens who want to immigrate to Luxembourg must complete various formalities depending on their countries of origin. You can rely on us no matter if you are an EU or non-EU citizen, as all our services are tailored to your needs.

Quick Facts
Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO)	No, EU citizens do no need visas to enter Luxembourg
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO)	Yes
Types of visas available	– entry visas, – student visas, – business visas, – employment permits, – temporary residence permit, – long-term residence permits can be obtained to immigrate to Luxembourg
Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.)	Between 15 and 45 days depending on the applicant's country of origin
Validity of temporary residence permit	First residence permit has a validity of one year
Temporary residence permit renewal requirements	The conditions met when obtaining the first permit must be maintained.
Documents for obtaining a residence permit	– valid passport, – valid health insurance, – documents attesting the reason to move to Luxembourg, – proof of local address, – proof of sufficient self-sustenance funds
Timeframe for obtaining permanent residence	Living in Luxembourg for 5 uninterrupted years
Investor Visa availability	There are various schemes under which investors can relocate to Luxembourg.
Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO)	No
Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO)	No, there is no sponsorship requirement to immigrate to Luxembourg.
Time frame for obtaining citizenship	5 years of legal residence (the last year uninterrupted), plus a Luxembourgish language test and the 'Vivre ensemble' civic course; a permanent residence permit is not required.
Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability	Residency by investment scheme is available.
Taxation of foreign citizens	Residents must pay the income tax on their worlwide income in Luxembourg at rates rangining from 0% to 42%.
Tax benefits for expats	Since 2025: 50% of the gross annual salary is exempt from income tax (salary capped at EUR 400,000) for 8 years, for qualifying impatriates earning at least EUR 75,000 per year

What are the regulations for EU/EEA citizens who want to immigrate to Luxembourg?

EU citizens:

do not need entry visas to move to Luxembourg;
must register their presence for stays of more than 3 months in order to be issued residence cards;
may apply for permanent residence after 5 years of legal residence.

Do I need a visa to enter Luxembourg if I am a non-EU/EEA citizen?

Yes, you need an entry visa if your nationality is subject to the Schengen visa requirement. For short stays, you can also use a valid Schengen visa issued by the Schengen country you come from, provided it is still valid.

What are the main options to relocate to Luxembourg for non-EU/EEA citizens?

From this point of view, non-EU/EEA citizens can move here based on:

employment, which is one of the most common ways to immigrate to Luxembourg;
studentship also implies obtaining temporary residency in Luxembourg;
investment, which is a great way to relocate to Luxembourg and run a business here;
retirement is also an option for those desiring a peaceful lifestyle.

No matter the way you decide to move here, our lawyers are at your disposal with tailored relocation services in Luxembourg.

You can also read more on this subject in the infographic below:

What are the required documents to move to Luxembourg?

If you plan to immigrate to Luxembourg, here are the main documents to prepare and file with the embassy or consulate in your home country:

the valid passport (at least six months of validity is required);
a health certificate is also needed for non-EU citizens (it depends on the country of origin of the applicant);
a clean criminal record may also be needed (especially for those coming based on investment visas);
reason of relocation (employment contract, sponsorship from an educational institution, pension coupon, etc.) – having a proper reason is essential for immigration to Luxembourg;
proof of having a place to stay (rental agreement, lease contract, proof of property ownership).

In the case of EU citizens, the proof of address will be used to obtain the residency certificate.

What are the most employed pathways to move to Luxembourg for non-EU/EEA citizens?

Business and employment.

What steps should I follow to relocate to Luxembourg correctly?

Our Luxembourg lawyers recommend:

carefully review the immigration requirements based on the reason for your relocation;
search for accommodation before travelling here;
purchase health insurance.

NOTE: After you successfully relocate to Luxembourg, you must declare your arrival to the commune and apply for the residence permit within 3 months; the temporary authorisation to stay must already be obtained from abroad before you travel.

How long does it take for a Luxembourg visa to be issued?

15 to 30 days, based on the country you come from.

Where do I apply for an entry visa for Luxembourg?

At the nearest Diplomatic Mission. You can consult the list here for information.

Here is also our video on this subject:

Do I need an immigration lawyer to move to Luxembourg?

It is recommended to use tailored immigration services for steps like:

documents preparation, which often includes translations;
documents filing with the local authorities (not only in the immigration department, but also the tax authorities and the municipality, for example);
temporary residence permit renewal;
permanent residence application;
citizenship application.

How long does it take to obtain a temporary residence permit in Luxembourg?

We mention the fact that obtaining a temporary residence permit can take up to three months, so feel free to discuss all related aspects with our law firm in Luxembourg.

If I move to Luxembourg based on employment, will I receive both a work visa and residence permit?

Yes, both stay documents will be issued.

How long must I live in Luxembourg to obtain permanent residency? How about citizenship?

You need to live in Luxembourg for:

at least 5 years for permanent residency;
at least 5 years of legal residence for obtaining citizenship (the last year uninterrupted).

If you want to immigrate to Luxembourg and need support, please contact our immigration lawyers in Luxembourg.