Luxembourg is a small country sitting in between France, Belgium, and Germany. With mostly rural areas, forests, nature parks, rocky gorges, and river valleys nature has gifted Luxembourg with a unique and mesmerizing scenery which is why it attracts people from all over the world.
Luxembourg is one of the most developed countries in the world; it is among the top 20 countries with the best quality of life. With over 170 nationalities living in the country, those who call this place home report high levels of satisfaction with life.
The highly developed economy and one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world have made Luxembourg a long-time favorite among expats, particularly expats who want to work and study there.
Do I need a visa to move to Luxembourg?
Depending upon your citizenship, you might not need a visa to move to Luxembourg:
Citizens of EU/EEA and Switzerland can transfer to Luxembourg without a visa. All they require is a valid passport or ID card.
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals) need to apply for a visa and residence permit if their stay exceeds three months (90 days). Depending upon the reason for the move, you will apply for a long-stay visa.
How Do I Move to Luxembourg as a Non-EU Citizen?
EU nationals who plan on living in Luxembourg for more than three months must have either a valid national identity card or passport. They also have to show that they have enough funds available to support themselves.
EU citizens within eight days after entering Luxembourg have to declare their entry into the country. They then have three months to register at their new commune of residence in Luxembourg. The registration certificate must then be filled at the trail administration for the person’s place of residence.
The documents required to finalize the registration depend on the reason for moving to Luxembourg (work, study, family reunification). After submitting the registration form you will receive a registration certificate containing your personal data, valid for an unlimited period.
How to immigrate to Luxembourg as a non-EU citizen
Nationals of third countries who want to stay in Luxembourg for the long term, will need to apply for and obtain a national visa (long-stay visa). Though, you should apply for temporary authorization to stay in Luxembourg and then apply for a national visa before applying for a national visa.
In your home country, you will apply for national visa with the closest embassy / consulate of Luxembourg. There are different types of long-stay visa (Type D) based on why you are moving to Luxembourg (work, study, family reunification, etc.). After receiving your long-stay visa, you may relocate to Luxembourg. You will then need to apply for a temporary residence permit.
This is how to relocate to Luxembourg for more than 3 months:
Move to Luxembourg to work.
Move to Luxembourg to study.
Family reunification in Luxembourg
Moving to Luxembourg to Work
Third-country nationals intending to relocate in Luxembourg for an employment must apply for a work visa. But you have to have a job offer and an employment contract with a Luxembourgish employer before you can start applying for a work visa. Your employer needs to register the job position with the National Employment Agency (Agence pour le développement de l’emploi – ADEM), this is the proof that the employer is eligible to hire foreign citizens.
A work visa, one-year (12 months), renewable for three other years.
The Luxembourg EU Blue Card with highly qualified person If you are a highly qualified person, that is to say you have the necessary professional experience and qualifications for a position in the specialized field. In terms of salary requirements, you must meet several conditions, including the minimum annual salary specified in your employment contract to apply for an EU Blue Card.
This work visa is granted for four years, but if your employment contract exceeds a four-year term, the visa will be valid for the duration of your contract plus an additional three months.
Moving to Luxembourg to Study
If you want to come to Luxembourg to study at a Luxembourg higher educational establishment, you must first apply for temporary authorisation to stay. After receiving a grant of your authorization, you will apply for a student visa. However, you must have an admission letter from the university in Luxembourg as confirmation of your admission to one of Luxembourg’s universities.
After your student visa gets approval, travel to Luxembourg. Upon your arrival in Luxembourg, you are required to make a declaration of arrival at the administration of the commune in which you wish to reside. You have to apply for a residence permit at the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs within 3 months after your arrival in Luxembourg.
A student visa lasts for 1 year (12 months) and can be renewed. You can also work for a limited period of 15 hours per week on this type of visa.
Family Reunification — Moving to Luxembourg
To reunite with a family member who holds a residency permit in Luxembourg, you would be required to apply for a family reunification visa.
The family members that can get a family visa in Luxembourg are:
Third-country national’s spouse or registered partner living in Luxembourg
Minor children.
Parents (mother and father).
You have to obtain “temporary authorization to stay” before the Luxembourg family visa is granted, which can be done at the Luxembourg authorities in your country of origin (either embassy or consulate) or the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
What documents you must file for authorization are determined by your relationship with the third-country national (spouse, child, parent).
You’ll be able to book your travel to Luxembourg and do your arrival declaration and permits once you get your authorization to stay and people’s visa.
Will you be able to do a family visa to study and take advanced training and retraining courses? A visa of this kind is valid for one year (12 months) and there can be a renewal.
