Key takeaways:

§  Non-EU citizens need a work visa and residence permit to work in Luxembourg.

§  Various work visas are available, including employed worker, seasonal worker, and EU Blue Card for highly qualified professionals.

§  Application processes involve obtaining a temporary stay authorisation and meeting specific document requirements.

Is a work visa necessary for employment in Luxembourg?

If you are an EU citizen (except for Croatia), you generally do not require a work visa or permit to work in Luxembourg. However, for non-EU citizens, obtaining both a work visa and a residence permit is necessary to stay and work in the country.

What are the Luxembourg work visa types?

Luxembourg offers various work visas tailored to different needs, similar to most European countries. Below are the different types of work visas available and their requirements.

For more detailed information, visit the official European Union website, select Luxembourg, and explore the visa options.

Employed worker visa

The salaried or employed workers visa is the most popular work visa for individuals who have received a work contract with a Luxembourgish employer.  This visa is initially valid for one year and can be extended for up to three more years.

However, it does not grant the flexibility to change jobs or sectors without the Luxembourg government’s permission before the first renewal.

In order to work as an employed worker in Luxembourg, a third-country worker who wishes to work for a period of more than 3 months must fulfill the following requirements before entering the country:

§  Submit an application for a temporary authorisation to stay at the Directorate of Immigration of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs;

§  Be in possession of a valid passport;

§  For persons subject to visa requirements to enter Luxembourg, request a type D visa after obtaining the temporary authorisation to stay.

Requirements

The application for a temporary authorisation to stay must contain the applicant’s identity details, including the last name, first name and address, and must be accompanied by the following documents:

1.     A certified copy of their valid passport, in its entirety;

2.     A birth certificate;

3.     An extract from the criminal records or an affidavit (sworn statement) established in the country of residence;

4.     A curriculum vitae;

5.     A copy of the applicant’s diplomas or professional qualifications;

6.     A copy of the employment contract (compliant with Luxembourg law), dated and signed by both the applicant and the future employer in Luxembourg;

7.     The original copy of the certificate from the National Employment Agency (ADEM) granting the employer the right to hire a third-country national;

8.     A cover letter to support the application;

9.     A proxy, where necessary

Please note that the documents enclosed must be originals or certified true copies (except for the passport, where a plain copy will suffice). In case, the authenticity of a document is in doubt, the Minister of Immigration can request it to be authenticated by the appropriate local authority and legalised by the embassy (or alternatively notarised with an apostille of The Hague).

Moreover, if the documents mentioned above are not drawn up in German, French or English, an official translation by a sworn translator must be attached

For more information, please visit European Immigration’s Luxembourg employed worker page.

Seasonal worker visa

A short-stay visa for seasonal work and a work permit in Luxembourg are granted if the duration of the seasonal activity is less than 90 days. The following categories are considered to be seasonal activities:

1)    Harvesting, including grape harvesting and more.

2)    Packaging of harvested products

3)    The activities engaged in by leisure and holiday instructors and coordinators

4)    The activities engaged in by holiday-tour and tourist guides

5)    Surveillance and maintenance of beaches, outdoor swimming pools and campsites

6)    Positions in retail stores, hotels and restaurants that are only open at certain times of the year or that have a regular and foreseeable season-related increase in activity during the year

7)    Jobs in companies involved in aviation and in the transport of passengers that experience a regular and foreseeable increase in activity at certain times of the year.

Please note that an authorisation of stay for seasonal workers is granted if the seasonal activity lasts more than 90 days. The Minister in charge of Immigration must grant the authorisation of stay if the applicant presents the same documents as those required for stays not exceeding 90 days.

Requirements

The Minister will grant a short-stay visa for seasonal work and a work permit in Luxembourg if the applicant presents the following:

§  A valid labour contract to work as a seasonal worker with a Luxembourgish employer.

§  Proof that they dispose of adequate housing or that adequate housing will be provided to them.

§  Proof that they have applied for health insurance or that they have one.

§  Mention of any possible family ties between the applicant and their employer (if applicable)

For more information, please visit European Immigration’s Luxembourg seasonal worker page.

Highly qualified worker visa

In Luxembourg, highly qualified non-EU nationals must apply for the EU Blue Card to be eligible for work. The EU Blue Card grants its holders comprehensive socio-economic rights and a path toward permanent residence and EU citizenship. 

Requirements

The applicants must meet the following requirements to apply for the EU Blue Card in Luxembourg. Moreover, if the following documents are not drawn up in German, French or English, an official translation by a sworn translator must be attached:

§  Hold a valid passport

§  Meet the conditions of higher professional qualification, that is:

·       Have an employment contract of one year at least for highly qualified work,

·       Have an offer for a remuneration:

·       At least equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of the Luxembourg average gross annual salary (EUR 78,336), or

·       At least equivalent to 1.2 times the Luxembourg average gross annual salary (EUR 62,668.80) for work in one of the following professions and for which the government has noticed a particular need to employ third-country nationals:

·       Mathematicians, actuaries and statisticians,

·       Systems analysts,

·       Software developers,

·       Web and multimedia developers,

·       Applications programmers,

·       Software and application developers and analysts, multimedia developers not listed elsewhere,

·       Database designers and administrators,

·       Systems administrators,

·       Computer network professionals,

·       Database and network professionals not elsewhere classified,

·       Present a document proving that they possess the high professional qualifications required for the activity or sector mentioned in the employment contract or that they meet the requirements to carry out the regulated profession indicated in the employment contract.

·       An extract from the criminal records or an affidavit (sworn oath) established in the country of residence,

·       A Curriculum Vitae

·       Power of Attorney (if necessary)

Please note that the documents enclosed must be originals or certified true copies (except for the passport, where a plain copy will suffice). In case, the authenticity of a document is in doubt, the Minister of Immigration can request it to be authenticated by the appropriate local authority and legalised by the embassy (or alternatively notarised with an apostille of The Hague).

For more information, please visit European Immigration’s Luxembourg EU Blue Card page.

Self-employed worker visa

To engage in a professional activity as a self-employed worker in Luxembourg, you need to obtain:

·       A residence permit for self-employment purposes

·       A visa, if required

Once in Luxembourg, applicants are required to register with the Commune and apply to the Minister of Labour, Employment and Immigration for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment.

Requirements

The following documents are required to obtain authorisation to stay for self-employed workers:

1.     A certified full copy of the valid passport.

2.     A birth certificate.

3.     A copy of the police record or an affidavit (sworn statement).

4.     A curriculum vitae.

5.     A business and a financing plan.

6.     Proof that the applicant has the necessary economic resources to carry out his business project.

7.     In the case of a takeover of a business, the balance sheets as well as the profit and loss accounts for the past three financial years.

8.     In the case of a business that is subject to an authorisation of establishment, the person must provide the application file together with any required supporting documents.

9.     In the case of an activity that is subject to other authorisation and accreditations or registrations, a copy thereof is also required.

For more information, please visit European Immigration’s Luxembourg self-employed worker page.

How to apply for the Luxembourg work visa?

After choosing the type of work visa that suits your job profile and understanding its requirements, follow the steps given below to apply for the Luxembourg visa: 

·       Check your eligibility: Ensure that you have a contract for more than one year with your Luxembourg employer and that your employment has been registered with the National Employment Agency (ADEM)

·       Apply for a temporary stay authorisation: Visit the Luxembourg Immigration Directorate’s website and apply for a temporary stay authorisation (autorisation de séjour temporaire). 

·       Apply for your visa: Once the temporary stay authorisation is granted, the applicant must apply for a long-stay type D visa for Luxembourg at their nearest embassy or consulate. Be sure to bring all required documents, such as your passport, employment contract, proof of qualifications, and medical certificate, for the procedure

After receiving your visa, you can fly to Luxembourg. Upon arrival, you must:

·       Register at your local administration office or Commune within three days of arrival. 

·       Complete a mandatory medical test

·       Apply for a residency permit within three months of your arrival

·       Pay a fee of EUR 80.

Please note that the application procedure may slightly vary depending on the specific visa you are applying for. Hence, please visit the EU Immigration page, for more information. 

What is the processing time for a Luxembourg work visa?

The processing time for a Luxembourg work visa varies depending on the type of visa and the workload at the embassy or consulate where you submit your application. Typically, the process takes between 4 to 12 weeks.

Applications can be submitted up to 6 months before your intended travel date and must be completed at least 15 days before your trip. To ensure a smooth journey to Luxembourg, it is advisable to apply as early as possible within this timeframe.

How much does a Luxembourg work visa cost?

All the Luxembourg visa types mentioned above will cost approximately EUR 80.