Residence permit of Luxembourg

The European small state (650,000) is one of the richest in the world. Conditions have been created here for a comfortable life for citizens, an offshore zone with preferential tax conditions, and the rapid issuance of business licenses. The head offices and numerous branches of foreign companies are located on the territory.

The authorities issue permits to residents for a year, and if justified, extend them to 4 years. Europeans move to the Grand Duchy on simplified terms. For those who wish to stay for more than 90 days, it is enough to register with the municipality. It takes 5 days to issue a resident card.

Advantages of Kingdom status:

• free visits to 26 European countries; 
• the possibility of opening visas under a simplified procedure to America, Canada, Australia; 
• receiving medical care under state insurance; 
• immigration by family. 

Types of residence permit

The law «On Movement and Immigration», edited in 2022, allows expats to apply for statuses on various grounds, and after 5 years to collect a dossier for obtaining a naturalization passport. Foreigners who plan to study, work, relocate or open new companies, invest in business, and restore family ties apply for permits.

Residence permit for the purchase of real estate

The Grand Duchy does not have a program for obtaining a "golden" visa in exchange for capital investments due to the high demand for housing. Wealthy foreigners are legalized for business subsidies.

Necessary justifications

To receive the cards, sponsors have the right to choose an investment option at their discretion:

• to contribute 500,000 € to the authorized capital of a local company for 5 years; 
• to register a company with an investment of 500,000 € and open 5 vacancies; 
• to subsidize 3 million € in the management structure of the enterprise;
• to open a bank account for 20 million € for a five-year period.

List of documents

After the approval of the investment project by the Ministry of Economy, applicants begin to collect the dossier.

It includes:

• an application; 
• a copy of a foreign passport; 
• a certificate of capital contribution;
• a certificate with the amount of the deposit; 
• documents for all family members; 
• medical insurance; 
• proof of housing.

Student residence permits

2 universities ranked in the QS world ranking and professional colleges are open for school graduates. If parents/sponsors are willing to pay for a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a doctoral program, entry visas are opened at home.

Necessary justifications

The main requirements of the program include:

• confirmation from an accredited educational institution that the student has been accepted into the curriculum, with information about the course and duration of study; 
• guarantee of the applicant's ability to pay and the ability to reside in the country during the course;
• availability of medical insurance.

List of documents

Before the start of the academic year, applicants submit a package of papers online to the Luxembourg Department from their country. Folder Contents:

• a certificate; 
• a letter of admission; 
• the result of a linguistic test depending on the language program of study; 
• copies of travel documents.

After entering a multilingual state, applicants undergo a medical examination and apply online for legalization. The residence is ready within a month.

Students are allowed to work 15 hours a week. University graduates can find a job in the country and open a business. After graduation, they freely receive 3-year work residencies.

Residence permit for financially independent

This type of residence is issued in the presence of foreign deposits, eliminating the need to work in the Grand Duchy or engage in other activities. Applicants have the right to apply for statuses on this basis not only for themselves, but also for spouses and dependents.

Necessary justifications

Initially, permits are issued 3 years in advance upon receipt:

• monthly income above the social salaries of unskilled employees (2,510 €); 
• pensions equated to average local salaries; 
• income from dividends or royalties; 
• rental housing.

List of documents

In addition to a passport with a visa, the immigration authorities require:

• the account balance with proof of receipt of monthly funds;
• certificate of ownership of the apartment when renting; 
• documentary evidence of the presence of securities; 
• certificate of law-abiding;
• certificates for children and civil status; 
• receipts for payment of duties.

Residence permit by marriage

Third-country nationals wishing to register a relationship with the Grand Duchy enter the Territory on short-term visas. Then, on the basis of certificates from the registry office, they are issued for 3 years of residence. At the end of the term, a citizenship dossier is submitted. In case of divorce, the right to legalization remains with them.

Necessary justifications

Couples who have not only registered a relationship, but also are in a civil relationship can apply for the status. Conditions of receipt:

• proof of cohabitation; 
• acquired wealth;
• shared access to bank accounts; 
• children born.

List of documents

In order to pass naturalization, the authorities require:

• passports of spouses; 
• registration document;
• proof of livelihood;
• health certificate;
• medical insurance;
• certificate of non-conviction.

Family reunion

Residents who have lived in Luxembourg for more than a year can invite relatives of the first and second generations. Primary permits are issued for a year, depending on the situation, they are extended to 3 or 5 years.

Necessary justifications

Cards in 2024 are issued on condition of a stable income exceeding the minimum wage for the last year (2,508 €/ month), the availability of 12 m2 per guest and 9 m2 for other relatives. They give out:

• spouses/ partners; 
• dependents: children and parents on security; 
• financially dependent heirs on petitions.

List of documents

Foreigners are legalized on the basis of the collected packages of papers. Folder Contents:

• sponsor's passport;
• address and housing certificate;
• medical policy for each candidate;
• financial guarantees;
• personal questionnaires of family members; 
• proof of income; 
• copies of invitations and entry visas;
• documents confirming kinship.

Work permit

Priority is given to IT specialists, experts in the field of finance and logistics. They can count not only on getting vacancies, but also high salaries and Blue cards. After agreements with employers, migrant workers enter the country, issue permits for legalization and work on the spot for a period of one year.

Necessary justifications

Employment residences are opened after the consent of the employment agency (ADEM), issued to the employer. Requirements:

• resume;
• contract;
• availability of a specialty and relevant work experience; 
• advanced professional skills.

List of documents

The authorities accept a dossier that includes standard papers:

• employer's petition; 
• university diploma;
• qualification document;
• professional recommendations;
• certificate of non-conviction; 
• medical insurance.

Policies covering 80% of medical bills are necessarily paid by employers.

Business residence permit + sole proprietor

Self-employed, businessmen and entrepreneurs can get primary temporary status for 3 years. First, they request commercial permits from the Ministry of Economy, then they collect folders for the Immigration Department.

Necessary justifications

In addition to the agreement of the competent authority for conducting the planned business, applicants are required to:

• registration as an individual entrepreneur; 
• confirmation of qualifications; 
• compliance with the business profile and conditions of access to the profession; 
• a business project with a guarantee of financial security.

List of documents

For the immigration dossier, businessmen prepare in advance:

• application;
• legal documents;
• business development strategy;
• statement of balance from the bank;
• income and expense reports for 3 years;
• medical examination;
• certificate of residence;
• motivation letter.

Extension of a residence permit

The period for reviewing the dossier of third-country nationals depends on the type of permit and is 1-8 months. Traditionally, resident cards are issued to hired staff and students for a year, and to seasonal workers for 5 months. Qualified specialists receive EU Blue Cards for 4 years. A couple of months before the end of the initial period of the valid permit, migrant workers collect new packages and upload them on the website of the Immigration Department.

List of papers:

• copies of the information sheets of the passport; 
• a receipt for payment of the fee;
• a certificate to confirm the purpose of stay;
• a medical certificate; 
• a document on family status; 
• registration address; 
• an extract with the amount of the deposit or a sponsorship letter.

The processing of the application costs 80-100 €. The administrative fee is 50 €. 

The price list is also relevant for investors who have invested large sums in the economy. It takes about a month to review the package for renewal. New cards are issued at the office and sent by mail.