The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small but dynamic country in the heart of Europe, attracts immigrants with its rich culture, economic stability and high standard of living. If you are considering Luxembourg as your possible future place of residence, there are certain steps you should take to successfully immigrate and possibly obtain citizenship. Learn more about the procedure for obtaining citizenship in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has been one of the most popular destinations for tourists and migrants for many years. It is a very beautiful and unique country with beautiful landscapes, unique historical corners, and friendly people. Although the country is small in size, it has a developed economy and a high standard of living. There are many career prospects, decent salaries, high-quality education, and healthcare systems. It is also one of the safest places in the world. This is why the country often becomes home to thousands of expats. Below we have prepared a useful piece of material that will introduce you to the features of moving to the country, the conditions for staying and acquiring citizenship, as well as other requirements.

What you need to do to acquire citizenship

There are three most common ways to obtain Luxembourg citizenship:

• By birth – children born to Luxembourgian parents, as well as children born on the country's territory, even if their parents do not have citizenship, become Luxembourgian citizens.
• By marriage – you can apply for a Luxembourgish passport after three years of marriage to a Luxembourg national.
• Naturalization – foreigners who have continuously lived in the country for 5-7 years and meet several conditions are entitled to acquire citizenship through naturalization. 

Expatriates who wish to acquire Luxembourgish citizenship through naturalization must meet the following basic criteria:

• be at least 18 years old;
• speak the three national languages of the country (French, German and Luxembourgish);
• have legally resided in the country for 5 years or more;
• have a stable income proving their financial capacity;
• meet the requirements of a good person.

In addition, applicants for citizenship must pass a language test on their knowledge of Luxembourgish. It lasts two days and aims to test speaking and oral comprehension skills.

Candidates must also obtain the 'Living together in Luxembourg' certificate. This requires prior attendance at civic education courses. During the courses, candidates will learn about the basic rights of citizens, the country's key state and municipal institutions, and Luxembourg's history and culture.

A citizenship application must be submitted to the municipality where you live. For more information, you can contact the Ministry of Justice's citizenship helpline by calling 8002 1000.

Documents required

To obtain a permanent residence permit, you must apply to the immigration office with the following documents:

• passport;
• bank statement;
• proof of payment of customs duties;
• confirmation of the availability of accommodation and address of residence;
• medical insurance;
• certificate of clean criminal record;
• confirmation of passing the exam.

To apply for citizenship, you should submit the following documents to the civil registry office:

• copy of the birth certificate;
• copy of the birth certificates of children under the age of 18 (if necessary);
• a copy of a valid passport;
• accurate biographical data with the applicant's signature (questionnaire form under the links: www.mj.public.lu and www.bienvenue.lu; 
• certificate of clean criminal record or similar documents issued by competent foreign authorities:
• certificate of passing the Luxembourg language test;
• certificate of completion of the course "Living together in Luxembourg";
• police report for the last 15 years.

As the requirements may change and vary, we recommend clarifying all the necessary information on the document package before submitting your application.

What are the types of residences in Luxembourg?

Citizens of EU countries can only enter the country with a passport, but on the condition that they stay for up to 90 days. For third-country residents, the appropriate type of visa for entry must be obtained.

The conditions for long-term residence in Luxembourg also vary from country to country. This means that EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can only obtain a certificate of Attestation d'enregistrement for a further stay. Only confirmation of financial security and livelihood in the country will be needed. Third-country nationals usually need a long-term D visa, a permit, and a temporary residence permit for long-term residence in Luxembourg.

Reasons for long-term residence in the country can be:

• employment or business;
• study;
• family reunification.

If a foreign national plans to stay in Luxembourg for more than one year, a temporary residence permit must be obtained. Usually, such a permit gives the right to live in the country for up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension. After 5 years of residence in the country, it is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit and later for citizenship.

Duration of stay

Short-term visas entitle foreigners to stay in the country for up to 90 days and long-term visas for 90 days or longer. A temporary residence permit allows you to stay in the country for one year or more, and a permanent residence permit for five years or more.

Luxembourg is a small country. It has an area of just 2,600 square kilometers. But it is an extremely beautiful, welcoming, multicultural country with a huge number of amazing corners, monuments, and stunning buildings. Immigration to Luxembourg is sure to be a wonderful experience, and living there will bring many pleasant impressions and joys. This fabulous land will especially appeal to those who appreciate coziness, a steady, peaceful pace of life, and the beauty of nature.