Whether you plan to stay in Luxembourg for a short visit or an extended period, the need for a visa depends on your nationality. In this article, we will discuss the various types of visas available for Luxembourg.
Short-stay visas in Luxembourg
For a stay of less than three months in Luxembourg, formalities differ depending on whether you are:
EU citizens enjoy the privilege of free movement within the EU, allowing them to reside and work in Luxembourg for up to 90 days, provided they possess a valid ID card or passport.
Whether visiting for tourism, family reunions, business, or professional endeavors, you will not have to apply for a work permit.
It's worth noting that individuals from countries within the European Economic Area (EEA), such as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the Swiss Confederation, benefit from the same rights as EU citizens.
If you're a family member of a non-EU citizen who is an EU resident, you can stay in Luxembourg for up to 90 days. To do so, you must be officially recognized as a family member and fulfill specific requirements. This includes having a valid passport and, if necessary, obtaining the requisite visa to enter Luxembourg or possessing a residence permit as an EU citizen's family member. This residence permit can be granted by either Luxembourg or another EU member state.
Before traveling to Luxembourg, you must submit your documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once you're in Luxembourg for those three months, family members of non-EU citizens who are family to EU residents are permitted to work without requiring prior authorization.
It's important to note that individuals from countries that are part of the EEA Agreement (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and the Swiss Confederation also benefit from these privileges.
All third-country nationals must be in possession of a valid passport and a visa if their nationality is subject to this requirement.
They must also meet the following criteria:
- not be featured in the Schengen Information System (SIS);
- not be subject to an entry ban;
- not be considered a threat to public order, national security, public health, or the international relations of Luxembourg or one of the states bound by an international convention on the crossing of Luxembourg's external borders;
- justify the reason for and conditions of the stay (e.g., finances to support oneself locally and for the return to one's country of origin); this justification can also be supported by a commitment to take charge;
- have health insurance covering all risks incurred on Luxembourg territory.
After completing all the necessary procedures, non-EU citizens are granted the right to stay in Luxembourg for up to three months within six months. If you don't require a visa to enter the country, you must inform the local authorities of your place of residence within three working days of your arrival. If you're staying in a hotel or another tourist accommodation, you can use the form provided by the establishment's owner as your arrival declaration.
It's important to note that non-EU citizens who intend to work in Luxembourg for a stay of less than three months must apply for a work permit through the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
Long-stay visas in Luxembourg
For a stay of more than three months, formalities differ depending on whether you are:
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An EU citizen
All EU nationals enjoying freedom of movement within the EU, and are, therefore, entitled to work and reside in Luxembourg for a period of up to 90 days, must hold a valid identity card or passport and comply with specific conditions:
- work in an employed or self-employed capacity;
- have sufficient resources not to be dependent on the local social insurance system;
- have health insurance;
- be enrolled in an accredited public or private educational establishment in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the purposes of study or vocational training and, in this case, prove that they have the resources and insurance necessary to support themselves without depending on the local social assistance and health insurance system.
NB: Nationals of one of the other States party to the EEA Agreement (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and of the Swiss Confederation are treated in the same way as EU citizens.
Upon arrival in Luxembourg, individuals in question should visit the local administration office in their place of residence to apply for a registration certificate. You can find detailed information about this document in the article covering entry formalities in Luxembourg. It's important to highlight that EU nationals and their family members, who also possess European nationality, are granted automatic permission to work in Luxembourg.
Non-EU citizens who are family members of EU nationals can extend their stay in Luxembourg beyond three months, provided they are either accompanying or joining an EU citizen in Luxembourg. The EU citizen they are accompanying or joining must meet the same requirements applicable to other EU nationals.
For entry into Luxembourg, they must possess a valid passport and, if required, the relevant entry visa or a residence permit for family members of EU citizens. Once all the necessary procedures are completed, they are entitled to work in Luxembourg without the need for prior authorization.
For non-EU citizens planning to reside in Luxembourg for a duration exceeding three months, a specific process for establishing legal residence in the country must be followed. This process encompasses two primary stages: first, the application for a residence permit before entering Luxembourg, and second, the completion of necessary formalities upon arrival to obtain the official residence permit.
The initial step involves applying for a residence permit before entering Luxembourg. This application should be submitted to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with correspondence addressed to BP 752, L-2017 Luxembourg.
Various individuals can seek this authorization, including employed workers, highly skilled workers holding an "EU Blue Card," researchers, transferees or secondees, self-employed individuals, family members of non-EU citizens (subject to specific Ministry approval), unpaid students and trainees, athletes, and participants in volunteer programs.
To secure a residence permit, non-EU citizens holding a temporary residence permit must promptly submit an arrival declaration to the local municipal authorities at their place of residence within three days of arriving in Luxembourg. The receipt from this declaration, along with the previously obtained residence permit, serves as evidence of legal residence until the official residence permit is granted.
Following this, a medical examination should be conducted by a general practitioner or a specialist in internal medicine or pediatrics practicing in Luxembourg. Additionally, a tuberculosis test is administered by the Ligue médicosociale. Once the results are available, they are forwarded to the Ministry of Health. If the medical criteria for long-term residence in Luxembourg are met, the Ministry of Health conveys this information to the Immigration Department.
The subsequent step involves applying for the residence permit itself through the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, using the "Demande de délivrance d'un titre de séjour" form. This application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- A copy of a valid, full passport, certified as true to the original;
- A copy of the residence permit issued by the Ministry;
- A copy of the arrival declaration issued by local authorities;
- Proof of suitable accommodation (such as a lease or title deed);
- Evidence of payment of the issuance fee to an account number indicated on the form.
Upon receipt of all the required documents, the applicant will receive a mail invitation to visit the Immigration Department's offices in person, bringing their valid passport. This appointment aims to capture a passport photo (or provide one adhering to biometric passport standards) and record the applicant's fingerprints, which will be incorporated into the residence permit. Typically, the official residence permit becomes available a few days after this appointment, and the date for its retrieval will be communicated during the appointment.
After receiving the residence permit, foreign nationals should make a final visit to their local municipal authorities. During this visit, they need to validate their arrival declaration and, if necessary, obtain a residence certificate.
Types of visa available in Luxembourg
There are four types of visas available for Luxembourg: the airport transit visa, transit visa, short-stay visa, and long-stay visa.
The airport transit visa, often referred to as the "A visa", allows travelers subject to this requirement to pass through the international zone of airports without entering the Schengen territory. It specifically grants access to the airport transit zone without permitting entry into the Schengen area.
The second type, known as the "B visa," is granted for transiting through one or more Schengen states on the way to a third country within a maximum duration of five days. This visa allows holders to leave the transit airport or port and move within the Schengen country for a specified, limited period indicated on the visa.
The "C visa", also called the short-stay visa, allows individuals to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a six-month period. This visa can serve various purposes, including tourism, family visits, business trips, attending events like conferences or trade fairs, participating in board meetings and general assemblies, and providing services within the same group of companies. It can be issued as a single-entry visa for one trip or a multiple-entry visa for multiple journeys.
Lastly, the long-stay visa, known as "visa D", is intended for individuals holding a temporary residence permit, a work permit for salaried employment, trainees, or family members of EU citizens. This visa allows them to reside in Luxembourg for more than 90 days, with a maximum duration of up to one year. Upon arrival in Luxembourg, individuals with this visa must apply to the appropriate Luxembourg authorities to obtain a residence permit.
Apply for a visa to Luxembourg
All visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant at a Luxembourg diplomatic or consular mission in their country of residence. While the required documents can vary depending on the purpose of the trip and the relationship with the sponsor in Luxembourg, the following list of documents is standard for all visa application procedures:
- A completed and signed application form by the applicant;
- Two recent passport-sized photos;
- A valid passport or another recognized travel document by Schengen countries, with validity extending at least three months beyond the visa's expiration date;
- Travel health insurance;
- Documentation substantiating the purpose of the trip (e.g., an official business invitation letter, sponsorship commitment, hotel reservations, round-trip airfare, etc.);
- Proof of financial capability to sustain oneself during their stay in Luxembourg and for the return journey to their home country or transit through a third country (such as bank statements, cash, credit card, etc.);
- Evidence of legal residence in their habitual country of residence.
For family reunification purposes, additional documents are required. These include a copy of the marriage or partnership certificate, a copy of the birth certificate, and a copy of a criminal record check not older than three months. Dependent children will also need to provide supporting documents.
Commitment to care
The 'engagement de prise en charge' is a process that the sponsor in Luxembourg must adhere to. This entails the sponsor completing a form and having it authenticated by the local municipality where they reside. Subsequently, they should send it via postal mail to the Passport Office. In addition to the form, the sponsor is required to include their last three payslips or any other documentation verifying their monthly income, a standard copy of their identity document, and, if applicable, proof of their legal residence in Luxembourg.
Visa requirements, exemptions, and alternatives
Regardless of the duration of your stay, a visa may be required for nationals of certain countries. You will find the list of nationalities concerned on the website of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
If you do not require a visa, you must register your arrival with the local authorities in your place of residence in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Useful links:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Immigration
Etat.lu ' Immigration Directory
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