Citizenship of Luxembourg

Obtaining citizenship is a valuable chance for many people who seek to improve their quality of life, expand their horizons and raise their children in a stable and prosperous country. The passport holder will be able to use exceptional social services. This includes access to quality education, a free healthcare system, and well-developed infrastructure.

Luxembourg, one of the top three countries in terms of GDP, offers business support, which makes it attractive to entrepreneurs. It is also worth noting that the unemployment rate here is one of the lowest in Europe. Citizens can feel secure and confident in the future. In addition, the state provides comprehensive support for startups and small businesses, and is characterized by a high level of security and political stability.

At the moment, Luxembourg has a simplified citizenship program for the spouses of Luxembourgers. Foreigners who have been officially married for at least three years are exempt from the language exam. 

Applicants with Luxembourgish relatives (father, mother, grandmother or grandfather) can also obtain citizenship under a simplified scheme. They are exempt not only from taking exams, but also from the need to live in the country for seven years. In this case, visitors will only need to obtain a certificate of repatriation and confirm their origin through ancestors who are citizens of Luxembourg.

Ways to obtain citizenship

The program for gaining status in 2024 involves several main ways. Each applicant will be able to choose the most optimal and affordable one for himself.

By naturalization

This path is open to residents who have been in the duchy for at least 5 years, speak the language and have no criminal record. At the same time, a suspended sentence of no more than two years or imprisonment of up to 12 months is permissible. Legal stay is possible on the basis of having an official job, conducting business, scientific activities, participating in research, sports events, studying at a university or reuniting with family.

Applicants should familiarize themselves in advance with the aspects of the state structure, rights and obligations, as well as with the history, or take the final test.

Important!

The status is granted only if there is a good reputation, which excludes the provision of false data. You will also need to take a language test. This requirement emphasizes a multicultural approach, since the community here consists of many nationalities.

Through marriage

Upon marrying a Luxembourgian, the relocant receives a residence permit, as well as a biometric card. To do this, he needs to confirm his knowledge of the spoken language and take a course on life in the Grand Duchy, or take citizenship exams. He is exempt from paying the state fee.

By birth and origin

Minors automatically inherit the status of mother or father in accordance with the law. Upon adoption, the child acquires the same rights as his adoptive parents. If they are citizens, their children also have the right to status. It is provided without any additional conditions. There is no need to know the language, study history or live for a specific time in the duchy.

By option

Foreigners who have ancestors (up to the third generation) with Luxembourg citizenship, apply for it upon request. For example, if a parent, grandmother or grandfather is its owner, then their descendants receive passports through the repatriation procedure. To confirm the right to opt for genealogical affiliation, you will need to provide birth certificates of a Luxembourg relative. According to the option, those who have studied at school, including private, for at least 7 years, as well as soldiers who have served for at least a year, can also apply for citizenship.

Advantages of Luxembourg citizenship

The state is known for its stable economy and offers comfortable accommodation in the heart of Europe. The passport Luxembourg opens up unique opportunities, including:

• unlimited stay without a visa, residence permit or other permits; 
• free medical care in government institutions; 
• visa-free trips to more than 170 countries; 
• the opportunity to work in Europe; 
• access to banking services (opening an account with European banks, obtaining loans and mortgages at a rate of 2,1%, etc.). 

Dual citizenship

Starting from January 1, 2009, a passport can be issued, while maintaining the previous one. However, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the specific laws and regulations of the second state in advance, since in some cases certain restrictions apply.

Citizenship by Investment Program

It will not be possible to purchase a passport for money or through real estate investments. However, there is an option for obtaining a residence permit Luxembourg, which opens access to a passport in the future. Investors from places outside the European Union can choose one of four options:

• an investment of 500,000 € in an existing company engaged in commercial, industrial or handicraft activities, with an obligation to maintain employment for more than 5 years; 
• an investment of a similar amount in a new company with the creation of at least five jobs; 
• a deposit of 20,000,000 € in a financial institution for a period of at least five years;
• an investment of 3,000,000 € in an investment or management structure with an office in the duchy.

Recent reforms of the citizenship program

Due to the changes that have entered into force, the procedure has been somewhat simplified. The period of naturalization was reduced from 10 to 7 years. And it is available to any foreigner who meets the general requirements, has lived in the country for more than the specified time and has successfully integrated into society. For some categories, it is even reduced to 5 years. These include:

• spouses of Luxembourgers; 
• prominent figures of art, science, sports and/ or economics;
• minors adopted by Luxembourgers; 
• relatives of foreigners who had status before 1990; 
• refugees. 

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that since 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in the number of refugees, the duration of consideration by the Ministry of Justice has increased to 10 months.

The latest innovation was the concept of "land rights" of the first generation. Along the way, the conditions under which it is possible to apply for it were determined. Firstly, one of the applicant's parents must have lived in the territory for at least one year. Secondly, a person automatically receives the status upon reaching the age of 18, if they have been here for the last 60 months. Also, a local resident can apply at the age of 12. At the same time, it is required that he has lived in Luxembourg for more than 5 years.

Important! 

Until recently, a convicted person could not start naturalization for the next 10 years for a year. The new law on citizenship implies a tightening of this provision. All court sentences with a suspended sentence of 2 years or more will be taken into account.

Some mandatory requirements have also been simplified. So, a person who owns the B1 level is exempt from the need to take an oral speech test and vice versa. And those who have lived in the territory for more than 20 years are not subject to standard requirements. You will only need to take a course on «Living better together».

Step-by-step application process

The procedure consists of the following steps:

The minor is subject to inclusion in the application. The standard set is accompanied by the identity cards of children naturalizing with their father and/ or mother. If the procedure is carried out by only one of the parents, the notarized consent of the second one will be required.

Collecting documents and submitting an application

An application is submitted to the Ministry. Only persons who have reached the age of majority can do this. Then a police officer conducts a conversation with the candidate. During the conversation, the reason and reliability of the applicant are determined.

The application remains valid for one month. If the decision is not made within the specified period, you will need to resubmit it. In case of refusal, you can apply to the court for a review of the case.

List of documents

Candidates are required to prepare the following package:

• a certified copy of the passport; 
• a completed application form;
• a certificate stating that there is no criminal record, with an apostille from each country where the recipient lived before; 
• a certificate certifying successful completion of the tests.

Documentation provided in languages other than French, English, German or Luxembourgish must be translated. If applicants have minor children, their documents are included in the application. They are submitted personally to the registry office at the place of residence. The application is signed by the candidate himself or his legal representative. Provided that all documentation is collected correctly, the application will be registered and submitted to the Ministry without delay. In other cases, the registry office will require you to provide the missing materials within 3 months.

The total cost depends on the reasons for the move, expenses during the five years of residence. It is necessary to take into account the payment for the D visa (50 € for adults and 40 € for minors), as well as the fee for a residence permit (80 €). The procedure itself is free, but the price of the language course is 75 €. The costs of translation, notarization and legal support are added to the mandatory ones.

Consideration and decision

The review process usually takes three to eight months. The processing period through naturalization is about 35 weeks. Its verification via the website is not carried out. The decision is made by a ministerial decree, it comes into force from the moment of publication. The persons are notified of the result through a letter.

In case of a negative decision, it is permissible to appeal by going to court within 13 weeks. Since the state is small, each questionnaire undergoes a more thorough examination, and the papers are subject to several stages of verification. After approval, the relocant takes the oath of allegiance.

Disadvantages of Luxembourg citizenship

The relocator has many opportunities, both for personal and professional growth. But there are also certain disadvantages, such as:

• high taxes – income for individuals has a progressive scale, ranging from 0 to 42%, and for businesses the size ranges from 15% to 24,94%;
• high cost of living – average family expenses reach 3,282 € per month; 
• difficult process of obtaining residency;
• lack of an investment program; 
• the need to study Luxembourgish.

The citizenship of the duchy has a number of unique features that set it apart from other countries. The first difference is the simplified visa processing procedure for the Schengen area, which allows you to move around Europe without unnecessary formalities. Luxembourg is also known for its multilingualism. This not only opens up additional career opportunities, but also contributes to deeper integration into European culture.