How to move to Luxembourg as a student

According to data from 2022, almost ⅔ of the population in the Grand Duchy has a university degree, the highest in the EU. Higher education in Luxembourg is provided by several universities, the main one being the University of Luxembourg.

University of Luxembourg

Luxembourg School of Business

Lunex University

Deadlines and requirements

Be aware of application deadlines and university requirements when choosing a university. Typically, application deadlines vary from December to April. However, some programs or departments may have several waves of applications.

Perhaps the most important step in the admissions process is preparing your materials. Getting your application package right the first time will not only increase your chances of early admission, but will also reduce your stress level considerably.

What documents you need

Requirements vary by program and university, but a standard set of documents can be found everywhere. In addition, some of them may be useful for your visa application (even if the university itself does not require anything).

Certificate of Language Examination

Depending on the program, you may be asked to take a test in English (TOEFL, IELTS, ESOL or PET), French (TCF, DELF, DALF) or German (Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, UNIcert Deutsch). A B2 level is usually sufficient.

Proof of previous education

It can be a high school diploma, bachelor's, master's, or specialist's degree. Remember that before submitting a diploma, it must be translated into English, French, or German and have an apostille from the issuing institution.

CV and motivation letter

If your program does not have entrance exams, these are your main reasons for admission. Carefully read the requirements for the resume and the university letter to see how well they can indicate the topics of interest to the committee and their approximate scope.

Letter of Recommendation

It is usually useful if you are applying for a scholarship. It can be written for you by your supervisor, a supervisor from your previous job, or from your internship.

In addition, each school or program may have its own requirements. For example, the School of Business requires an interview, and some master's and doctoral programs require scholarly publications.

Main documents

Something is missing

Check all the documents — this is the most important step in the enrollment process.

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Certificate of language examination

Usually a B2 level will be sufficient, but some programs require a higher level of language proficiency.

Proof of previous education

Certificate or diploma with translation and apostille.

CV and motivation letter

С указанием вашего предыдущего опыта, а также небольшим рассказом, почему вы хотите обучаться на этой программе.

Payment of fee

It is always there when you submit your documents; the amount is 50-100 euros.

Passport copy

A copy of the pages with your personal information is required.

Photo

This is usually useful if you are applying online through the university's website: you will need a photo to register on the portal. The requirements vary from university to university, but usually you need a color photo where your face is clearly visible.

Letter of Recommendation

It may be requested when applying for a scholarship.

Something is missing

Check all the documents — this is the most important step in the enrollment process.

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

When to expect a reply

Of course, it depends on the deadline and the time of admission. For example, in some cases the Commission prefers to wait until the end of the period when the maximum number of candidates have submitted their documents and then start the selection process. And sometimes the answer comes almost immediately.

Early in the morning, the dean emailed me: «So and so, I am glad to inform you that you have been accepted to the program». I was very surprised then, I thought it was some kind of scam. Usually, the university sends an official letter, but this was just a message, signed by a person. I searched for who it was, and it turned out — indeed, the dean! He assured me that there was no need to worry, the university would send an official confirmation in a week. And so it happened, I received a letter from the university too.

Unlike other EU student visas, applying for a Luxembourg visa is quite simple and comfortable. Once you have received your Letter of Enrollment, you can apply for a Luxembourg D visa. The most important thing you will need for your visa is a temporary residence permit (authorization to stay): this is issued by the Migration Service of the Luxembourg Ministry of the Interior.

Once you have received your authorization, which will be sent to you by the university, you can apply for a visa. You can do this at the consulate in Luxembourg of your country of residence or nationality.

What documents are required to apply for a D visaWhat documents are required to apply for a D visa

Something is missing

There aren't many documents, check again!

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Visa form

The Schengen visa form can be downloaded from the consulate's website and completed in French or English.

Photo

Standard Schengen photo: on a light background - white, white-blue. The photo should be free of stains, wrinkles, scratches, glare, blurriness and other defects. You will need a photo without corners and ovals on matte photo paper.

Original passport

Must be valid for at least three months beyond the expiration date of your visa.

Copy of passport

Pages with data and with Schengen visas, if any.

Copy of temporary residence permit

Which will be sent to you by the university.

Consular fee

It can be paid locally, the amount is 50 euros.

Something is missing

There aren't many documents, check again!

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Submission deadlines

You can apply for a visa no earlier than six months and no later than 10 days before you intend to travel. Processing time is up to 10 business days. When the visa is ready, you will receive a text message or letter at the email address provided on the application form.

One of the most important steps to take before applying for a residence permit is to decide where to live. Some universities can provide student housing or help you find an apartment to rent. You can also do this on your own.

What you'll need to rent:

Temporary residence permit

As well as a certificate of admission to the university.

Valid passport

Or any other document that entitles you to residency.

Financial guarantee

Be ready to pay a security deposit, a bank deposit, and a fee.

Rent

Living

Luxembourg

How to rent an apartment in Luxembourg

You must come to the municipality where you intend to live with a package of documents.

What documents to bring with you to register in the municipality

Valid travel document

A passport with a visa and entry stamps will do

Confirmation of residential address

Long term lease

Temporary residence permit

Original received before entry

At the administration, you will have to enter the electronic queue and then approach an employee. Once your application has been processed, they will give you two important documents:

• Your Social Security number is your date of birth in the format of year-month-day and five more digits.
• Declaration of Arrival — it serves as an authorisation to work and stay in Luxembourg until an official residence permit is issued.

A list of the official websites of the communes can be found on the Guichet.lu website.

After you receive your declaration of arrival and social security number, all newcomers are usually sent for a medical examination. The medical examination must take place as soon as possible after you receive your declaration of arrival from the municipality.

The physical examination consists of two parts:

Examination by a general practitioner

You need a general practitioner, so look for General Practitioner, or GP. The GP will do a check-up: measure your height, weight, blood pressure, check if you have any chronic illnesses, and then give you a referral for a quanterone test (a blood test for tuberculosis).

You can find a GP at Doctena.lu.

Find out about finding a general practitioner

Tuberculosis screening

This kind of test can be done in the morning and not on an empty stomach. You must make an appointment for TB tests separately for each person. If you have a family, you must book a separate appointment for each member of the family. You will not be able to come "just from the street", you will not be allowed further than the reception and will be sent home to make an appointment.

You can get screened either through the public service La Ligue or by making an appointment at a private laboratory (this is 75 euros more expensive).

Learn how to get a screening appointment for sure

After all the tests have been carried out, the medical department will send a certificate to the Immigration Department to confirm that the health requirements for a residence permit in Luxembourg are fulfilled.

Basically, universities help students with all the documents for a residence permit when they find themselves in Luxembourg. One of the most important is the certificate of validation of your education by the Ministry of the Grand Duchy. 

What documents do I need to apply for a residence permit?What documents do I need to apply for a residence permit?

Double check everything

You may have forgotten something

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Copy of passport

All pages are required

Certificate of enrollment

Issued by the university

Copy of the declaration of arrival

You will get this at the municipality

Proof of payment of the fee

80 euros to be sent to the Ministry of the Interior.

Certificate of recognition of previous education

This must be obtained from the Luxembourg Ministry of Education. You must get a translation of your diploma or certificate from a sworn translator and submit it to the Ministry.

Double check everything

You may have forgotten something

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Read more about who is a sworn translator and what are the peculiarities of such a translation in our special interview.

Once your application has been accepted, you will receive a letter stating the record date. On that date, you must go to the General Directorate of Immigration of the Ministry of the Interior to be photographed and have your fingerprints taken, which will be added to your residence permit. The residence permit will be ready in a few days.