🇱🇺map Luxembourg [Residency]

Overview

Luxembourg is a compact, well-run EU and Schengen member with a high standard of living, excellent connectivity, and three working languages (Luxembourgish, French, and German). For short trips, Luxembourg follows Schengen rules: many nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period; others need a Schengen “Type C” visa before travel. For anything beyond a quick visit—work, study, or joining family—you’ll be looking at a long-stay “Type D” visa paired with a residence permit. Entry basics are straightforward: a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay, proof of onward travel and accommodation, and travel insurance for Schengen (if you need a visa). Border checks focus on Schengen compliance and purpose of travel; bring documents that match your story, especially if you’re a digital nomad working remotely.

Tourist and Short-term Visas

For tourism and short business trips, Schengen rules apply. If you’re visa-exempt (for example, citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many others), you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, including Luxembourg. If you need a visa, you’ll apply for a short-stay Type C visa through the Luxembourg consulate (or the consulate representing Luxembourg where it outsources). Expect to provide a valid passport, photos, travel itinerary, proof of funds and accommodation, travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000, and, for business visits, an invitation letter.

Processing times for Schengen visas typically range from 15 calendar days in normal periods to several weeks in peak seasons or if extra checks are required. Fees are set at the EU level and adjusted periodically; plan for the standard adult Schengen fee and confirm the current rate before applying. Short-stay extensions are rare and only granted for serious reasons (medical emergencies, force majeure). If you want more time, exit the Schengen Area and plan your return within the 90/180-day rule.

Work Visas and Permits

Working in Luxembourg as a non-EU national usually follows a two-step path: secure an authorization to stay first, then apply for a long-stay visa to enter and collect your residence permit. The most common categories include salaried worker permits, the EU Blue Card for highly qualified roles, intra-corporate transferees, researchers, and self-employed professionals. Employer involvement is essential for salaried roles: they propose the job contract, often demonstrate a genuine vacancy, and may coordinate documents for the authorization stage.

For the EU Blue Card, you’ll typically need a higher-education qualification and a job offer that meets minimum salary thresholds for “highly qualified” employment. Experience can sometimes substitute for formal qualifications in specific cases, but it’s best to have a clean package: diploma, verified experience, and a detailed contract. Skills assessments are generally role-based rather than a formal points test; Luxembourg focuses on the employment offer, your qualifications, and compliance with labor standards. Timelines vary; allow a few months from offer to arrival, longer if dependents are included.

Long-term Residence

If you plan to base yourself in Luxembourg, start with a temporary residence permit linked to your purpose (work, study, family, self-employment). After several years of lawful residence—often five years for many categories—you can look at long-term EU residence or permanent residence, provided you meet integration, language, and financial stability requirements. Family reunification is well-established for spouses, registered partners, and dependent children; the sponsor must show adequate income, accommodation, and health insurance.

Luxembourg doesn’t promote a classic “buy your way in” investment visa for passive investors, though pathways exist for entrepreneurs who genuinely set up and operate a business. For retirees from outside the EU, there isn’t a broad retirement visa scheme; most retirees rely on family ties or other residence grounds. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have an easier route: they can move for work or self-sufficiency and register locally after arrival.

Application Process

The long-stay pathway usually runs in this order: get a job offer or confirm your qualifying purpose, apply for an authorization to stay from Luxembourg’s immigration authorities, then—once approved—apply for a Type D visa at the consulate to enter. After arrival, you register your address with the local commune, complete a medical check (if required for your category), give biometrics, and collect your residence permit card. Keep originals and certified copies of everything: passport, birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, police clearances, employment contracts, and proof of accommodation.

You’ll apply at the Luxembourg embassy/consulate responsible for your place of residence or a partner visa center if services are outsourced. Interviews aren’t always required but can be requested. Track your file through the consulate’s system and the immigration directorate’s updates. If timing is tight, set expectations with your employer and avoid booking nonrefundable travel until your D visa is issued.

Costs and Fees

Budget for several layers of costs: government fees for the authorization and visa, the residence permit card, and any courier or service center charges. You may also need translations and certified copies, apostilles or legalizations for civil documents, and recent police clearances from countries where you’ve lived. Schengen travel medical insurance is mandatory for visa-required short stays; for long stays, comprehensive health insurance is required until you’re enrolled in Luxembourg’s system through employment or self-employment.

If a medical examination is part of your residence process, there may be clinic fees. Employers often cover some onboarding costs for sponsored staff, but clarify this before you start. Fees change periodically—always confirm current rates on the official Luxembourg immigration portal or with the consulate handling your case.

After Arrival

Plan a tidy first month. Register your address with your commune shortly after arrival and keep the confirmation safe—it’s needed for other steps. If you’re on a work permit, your employer registers you with social security; you’ll receive a national identification number and health insurance coverage through the CNS system. New residents typically attend a biometrics appointment and pick up their residence permit once it’s produced.

For taxes, employees are usually put on payroll with withholding set by the tax office, but it’s smart to request or verify your tax class and keep your records in order. Opening a bank account is straightforward with a passport, proof of address, and residence documentation; some banks may also ask for your employment contract. If you’re a nomad working remotely for a foreign company, speak with a tax advisor early—Luxembourg’s cross-border rules and the 183-day concept can get complicated fast.

Common Issues and Tips

The most common hiccups come from paperwork gaps: missing apostilles, outdated police clearances, or diplomas without proper verification. Start collecting civil documents early and check whether originals need legalization. Job titles and salary thresholds matter, especially for the EU Blue Card—make sure your contract aligns with the category you’re targeting. If your file is refused, you’ll receive reasons and guidance on appeals; in many cases, correcting documentation or reapplying with a clearer package solves the problem.

Policy tweaks happen—Schengen visa fees, document validity windows, and salary thresholds get updated periodically—so always check the official Luxembourg immigration site and the consulate before you file. Using an immigration lawyer or a seasoned corporate mobility provider can be worth it for families, complex careers, or tight timelines. As a final tip: Luxembourg is small but international—English gets you far in business, French is invaluable for services and administration, and a few phrases in Luxembourgish go a long way in the commune office and the local café.

Liam
Liam is an international business advisor and expatriate consultant originally from Dublin, Ireland, with over 16 years of experience in European, Middle Eastern, and Asia-Pacific markets. Having worked for major global consulting firms and managed corporate relocations across the UK, Ireland, UAE, and Oceania, Liam has extensive experience helping professionals navigate international assignments in English-speaking markets and key business hubs. His background includes facilitating moves for both European professionals expanding globally and international talent relocating to the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Gulf region.