Unskilled jobs with sponsorship visa in Luxembourg
In this article we will dive into the importance of unskilled labor, the challenges and implications for the workers in Luxembourg in 2024, presenting the most demanded unskilled jobs which offer visa sponsorship and guide you through the applicaiton process
Beyond its reputation for financial services and high-tech industries, Luxembourg's economic strength relies heavily on a sector often overlooked: unskilled jobs. These positions form the foundation of various industries, ensuring the smooth functioning of daily operations. From logistics and construction to hospitality and facilities management, unskilled workers play a critical role in keeping Luxembourg's economy humming, and often those positions are available for foreigners.
Luxembourg as destination for non-EU job seekers
An initially agriculture based country, Luxembourg evolved to be one of the most advanced, not to mention wealthiest, countries in Europe and in the world. Part of this success is the fact that Luxembourg welcomes foreigners, for both skilled and unskilled labor.
Starting off
EU citizens do not have to obtain an additional work visa to be employed in Luxembourg. This article will discuss the options available to workers from third countries, applicants from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries.
Unskilled jobs with visa sponsorship in Luxembourg quickly became very popular among foreigners, especially non-EU citizens. But what do Luxembourg jobs without experience really offer and what makes them quite attractive?
💰 Strong economy
🌏 Multilingual society
✨ High quality of life
🛸 Welcoming foreign workforce
Popular professions for unskilled workers
Many job seekers in Luxembourg find success in unskilled positions. These roles can be a great way to enter the workforce or gain experience in a new field. Here's a list of some of the most common unskilled jobs available to start with.
Latest available statistics in 2024
In 2022 EU countries had issued 3.7 million primary residence permits. For 42% of all expats, work remains the main reason for obtaining the documents. Luxembourg had issued 9,245 residence permits, with 34% of them being for employment reasons.
What is visa sponsorship in Luxembourg
While the country prioritizes filling open positions with local residents through governmental employment agency ADEM, there are situations where employers can sponsor work visas for unskilled workers from outside the EU/EEA. This sponsorship is particularly helpful when there's a proven lack of qualified local candidates for specific unskilled roles.
This method has several advantages:
- Reduced probability of visa refusal due to the fact that it is requested by an employer registered in the Grand Duchy;
- The employer covers the cost of the visa application and sometimes even the employee's relocation costs;
- Sometimes, depending on the size of the company and its resources, the employer assists in the collection of the necessary documents and provides advice on the process.
Permit still needed
Non-EU citizens with a job offer in Luxembourg can apply for a work visa or work permit, allowing them to work and live here for a longer term.
How to proceed with a visa application
Before entering the country, you must request the temporary authorisation to stay through a Luxembourg consular mission in your country or by post to the Immigration Directorate in Luxembourg. The documents you may need to apply for the temporary authorisation will vary by the case you are applying with, but for the job-related entries it will contain usual set of papers.
Translation of documents
Only the documents required to move to Luxembourg need to be translated in your country of origin. A notarized translation is usually sufficient.
After you are granted the permission to stay, you will receive a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing you about their decision on your case. Then, you apply for a long-term visa to enter the country. To apply for a visa D, you will need to provide the following documents and pay the issuing fee depending on your personal case:
- Two 3.5 x 4.5 cm color photos,
- Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiration date of the requested visa,
- Letter of approval of the temporary residence permit,
- Copy of internal passport,
- Application form for the Schengen visa.
How much can an unskilled worker earn in Luxembourg
While Luxembourg is known for its high living standards, it's crucial to understand the compensation offered for unskilled jobs. We have already covered salaries for professions in demand, as well as how much doctors make, for instance.
Minimum wage for unskilled in Luxembourg
In 2024, the current monthly social wage for an unskilled worker on a full-time job of 40 hours per week, is set at 2,570.93 euros in Luxembourg.
The table below provides an overview of salary ranges for various unskilled positions across different sectors in Luxembourg according to the Paylab. It's important to remember that these figures are estimates and can fluctuate based on several factors. These include the specific job title, its location within Luxembourg (wages tend to be higher in the capital), company requirements, and the individual's qualifications and experience.
| Sector for unskilled work | Role of the worker | Minimum monthly wage in 2024 |
| Sales | Cashier | 2,744 euros |
| Cleaning | Janitor | 2,715 euros |
| Construction | Crew worker | 2,644 euros |
| Logistics | Warehouseman | 2,353 euros |
| Transport | Lorry driver | 3,028 euros |
| Domestic help | Housekeeper | 2,562 euros |
| Production | Packer | 2,752 euros |
| Social | Caregiver | 2,698 euros |
| Service | Gardener | 1,913 euros |
| Metallurgy | Miner | 2,888 euros |
Cost of life to balance
Luxembourg has a high cost of living, so it's important to consider living expenses when evaluating potential job opportunities and salaries.
How to get a job as unskilled worker in Luxembourg
Here is a short guide on how to search for jobs, prepare for interviews, and secure visa sponsorships. Getting a job as an unskilled worker in Luxembourg involves several steps and of course the whole process takes time so don’t get discouraged easily. Make sure to get informed on the latest updates, ideally from official Luxembourgish sources, such as government or employer websites. Follow us in Telegram to receive latest news.
Being patient is very important but also blending with the locals and networking can give you a new job when the least expected. For that, of course, you need to be present, let's see what can be done.
Check your eligibility and prepare
First of all, make sure you have the legal right to work in Luxembourg or notify your potential employer on your wish to get the needed documents. If you're a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need a work permit or long-term visa with employment rights to begin the process of job landing in the country.
If you have not arrived to Luxembourg yet, make sure to send your job applications (there might be some work and waiting involved) with the required documents and check your options for entering the country and landing a job. Well, if you are EU citizen, you can come and look for unskilled jobs without visa.
Want to move to Luxembourg as a worker?
Take a look at our dedicated employment and work section in the Blog. Here are some of our favourite articles for you to start with:
Start the job search
Unlike skilled positions that often require specific training or experience, unskilled jobs in Luxembourg offer an opportunity to develop new skills on the job. While directly relevant past experience might not be essential, it can still be a valuable asset. A history of work demonstrates a strong work ethic, reliability, and the ability to adapt to new environments – all qualities highly prized by employers. For unskilled roles, your job search strategy might benefit from emphasising transferable skills that are valuable across different industries.
How to look for jobs in Luxembourg?
Starting the job search with internet and social media is the best way to weight your opportunities and get in touch with the labor market expectations. You can start your research of available jobs for unskilled workers in Luxembourg
- Through social media and messengers - on LinkedIn, Facebook and others,
- Through the local employment agency ADEM, where you can find vacancies in the Grand Duchy,
- With the help of friends and networking at job fairs and events.
Explore specific industries, like HORECA, logistics, production and more, and get the inside scoop on available jobs and companies hiring, skills and documents needed, and salary ranges in our dedicated articles.
Apply to work in Luxembourg
First, create a well-structured resume highlighting any relevant experience and skills. We have a detailed article to help you out with examples and local specifics for Europe and Luxembourg.
To make sure you are well-presented, write an application-based cover letter for each entry, expressing your interest and motivation for the specific job and company. Introduce and present yourself properly, underlining your motivation.
Submit your job applications through the employer's website or job portal. Keep in mind, that you can add your links to the social media profiles, which will allow the employer to take a look at you a bit closer - therefore it's very important to keep a detailed and updated LinkedIn profile, as it will help with networking as well. LinkedIn is particularly popular in Luxembourg, we even have a page with labour market updates and fresh vacancies there.
After the interview, you will face the next stages of the employment process. The interview and follow-up meetings and phone calls are the usual essentials.
Check other requirements
Remember that Luxembourg is a multilingual country: the official national languages are French, German and Luxembourgish. Proficiency in any of those languages, can improve your job prospects significantly. Make sure to submit your langage certificates, if you have them.
You should also make sure that you have your own health insurance, which may be provided by your employer. Make sure you are covered if planning to work in harsh or difficult environments, such as construction, trucking, or factory work.
Social security
If you are legally employed in Luxembourg, you will pay contributions to the social security system and will therefore be entitled to public health insurance.
How to become self-employed in Luxembourg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where to look for an unskilled job in Luxembourg?
What documents are required to apply for a job in Luxembourg?
Which companies offer visa sponsorship programs in Luxembourg?
Source: guichet.public.lu, embassy-worldwide.com, luxtoday.lu
We took photos from these sources: Paul Hanaoka and Kevin Woblick for Unsplash
Very helpful!
Informative!
I didn’t get it.
This is outdated.
