How to move to Luxembourg for private reasons

Three categories of third-country nationals are generally eligible for residence in Luxembourg on private reasons:

Completely financially independent

Must have a regular legal monthly income outside of Luxembourg but within the EU or Schengen area that exceeds ≈2571 euros.

Retired people

If it is an old age, loss of support or disability pension, it can be paid in Luxembourg or in other EU or Schengen countries.

Partners

Situations where it is not possible to reunite the family, but where long-standing and strong personal or family ties exist with a person legally residing in Luxembourg.

To move to Luxembourg and obtain a residence permit for private reasons, you must meet three basic requirements:

Those wishing to move for private reasons must provide proof of suitable accommodation in Luxembourg when applying for a visa. This requires either renting or buying an apartment, as the proof is a rental contract or a document confirming the rights of the owner.

These documents are required in order to obtain the necessary temporary residence permit and entry visa. We give a basic list of documents, but each case is considered individually and the Luxembourg MFA may require something additional at its discretion.

What you'll definitely needWhat you'll definitely need

You haven't collected all the documents

The originals always remain in your possession, copies are required to obtain the necessary documents for entry.

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Valid passport

Original and certified copy of all pages. Passport must be valid for at least 6-8 months from the expected date of entry. It is important that at least two pages are left blank — for visas to be issued.

Certificate of no criminal record with apostille

Or any written confirmation from official authorities in the country of residence. It is issued at the personal request of a citizen, usually at the Ministry of the Interior. The certificate must be paper-based, with an apostille, which takes an average of one month to obtain.

General Power of Attorney

Third-country nationals may authorize a representative to submit the application on their behalf. The document must be duly signed, dated and certified.

Proof of suitable accommodation

The size of the apartment cannot be less than 12 m² for one person and at least 9 m² for each additional family member. The room must be well maintained: with windows, heating, plumbing, etc.

Valid domestic passport

Original and copy of all pages

Full health insurance

Minimum coverage up to 30,000 euros. Insurance must be valid in Luxembourg.

Document on marital status

Marriage or divorce certificate or other equivalent document proving marital status issued in country of origin

Birth certificate

The original and its notarized apostilled copy will be required

Proof of financial stability

Letters from the place of employment on official company letterhead stating the applicant's position and the amount of monthly income or other supporting documentation will be required. In addition, a bank statement from an EU or Luxembourg bank account with a minimum balance of 30,000 euros may be required. In some cases, a certificate from the applicant's home country may also be appropriate.

Translation

If the documents are not in English, French or German, they must be accompanied by an official translation by a sworn translator or a notarized translation.

You haven't collected all the documents

The originals always remain in your possession, copies are required to obtain the necessary documents for entry.

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

A Court-sworn translator is a professional who has the authority to certify translations with his or her signature and seal. <...> the signature does not have to be certified again, the translator himself certifies the correctness of his translation.

Court-sworn translator Vera Steinhagen in Luxtoday interview

Read interview

It is important to note that for some categories of persons entering for private reasons, in addition to the documents listed above, other mandatory documents may be required.

Retired people

Partners

To obtain a temporary residence permit, you must submit an application for a temporary residence permit with a complete set of documents to the Immigration Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or to a diplomatic representative. It is important to fill everything in correctly and to submit all documents at once, otherwise they will be returned to the applicant.

What documents need to be collected for submission*

Application for temporary residence permit

Copies of all pages of a valid internal passport

Certificate of no criminal record with apostille

Power of attorney to submit documents if the applicant will not be the one submitting the documents

Proof of suitable housing (lease, ownership document).

Full health insurance valid in Luxembourg

Marital status document (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, certificate of family status, etc.)

Documents confirming financial independence (employment records, bank statements, etc.)

*This is a package for financially independent third-country nationals moving for private reasons. If you are moving as a spouse or retired person, please read the explanation of the set of documents in the previous step.

If no response is received within 3 months, the application is denied.

This requirement applies to those third-country nationals who are subject to visa requirements; the rest may enter Luxembourg without a visa (but still require a residence permit). Thus, citizens who require a visa must apply for a D visa to enter the country after obtaining a temporary permit.

What documents are required to apply for a D visa

Something's missing

It is necessary to submit the entire package of documents at one time.

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Original copy of temporary residence permit

Authorization to stay will come in a regular letter sent to the post office

Two 3.5x4.5 cm color photos

Schengen standard photo: on a light background — white, white-blue. The photo must be free of stains, folds, scratches, glare, blurriness and other defects. You need a photo without corners and ovals on matte photo paper.

Schengen Visa Application Form (these are the same for C and D visas)

Must be completed and signed in English or French

A valid passport and copies of all passport pages used

Issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiration date of the requested visa. 2 blank pages are required.

Copy of all previous Schengen visas for 3 years

If they are not in a valid passport

Consular fee

The amount of the fee varies and depends on the country

Something's missing

It is necessary to submit the entire package of documents at one time.

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

You must go in person to the municipality where you want to live with a package of documents and stand in the electronic queue.

What documents to bring to register with the municipality

Valid travel document

A passport with a visa and entry stamps is sufficient

Confirm home address

Long-term lease or owner's agreement

Temporary residence permit

Original received before entry

The municipality will give you two documents: your social security number and a copy of your declaration of arrival. The copy, together with temporary residence permit, will be considered a right of residence until the residence permit is issued.

Once registered in the municipality, all third-country nationals must pass a medical examination as soon as possible.

The medical examination consists of two parts:

General practitioner check

You must see a general practitioner (GP), so find one. A GP will do a check-up: measure your height, weight, and blood pressure, check if you have any chronic diseases, and then refer you for a quantifier test (a blood test for tuberculosis).You can find a family doctor on Doctena.lu.Read more about a general practitioner

Tuberculosis screening

This test can be done in the morning and on an empty stomach. You must schedule a TB test appointment for each person separately. If you have a family, you must make a separate appointment for each family member. You cannot come "off the street", you will not be allowed further than the reception and will be sent home to make an appointment.You can be screened either through the public service La Ligue or by making an appointment at a private laboratory (it is 75 euros more expensive).How to get an appointment for screening

Once all the tests have been carried out, the medical service sends a certificate to the immigration service confirming that the health requirements for a residence permit in Luxembourg have been met.

This is the last step of your legalization in Luxembourg. The hard part is over, all that remains is to collect the documents, pay the state tax and receive your residence permit.

What documents will you needWhat documents will you need

Something is missing

It is necessary to apply for a residence permit with the whole package of documents at once

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Copies of all pages of a valid passport

Copy of temporary residence permit issued by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Declaration of arrival issued by the municipality

Long-term rental or purchase agreement

Receipt for the payment of the state tax (80 €)

Application for Residence Permit

Something is missing

It is necessary to apply for a residence permit with the whole package of documents at once

*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

You can pay the state fee in two ways

In the bank

You need to know the IBAN and write a message in the comments to the translation of this type: Titre de sejour dans le chef de [Your name and matricule number].

Via mobile app

When paying this way, be sure to click "Save" to keep the transfer statement and attach it to your records.

Residence permit applications can be submitted online at MyGuichet.lu (with or without authentication) or by mail using a special application form.