Residence Permits for Non-EU Nationals: Step by Step
How third-country nationals obtain the right to live and work in Luxembourg: temporary authorisation to stay, D visa, medical check and the residence permit, with deadlines and fees.
If you are not a citizen of the European Union, the EEA or Switzerland and you want to live in Luxembourg for more than 90 days, you must follow a two-stage procedure: an authorisation obtained before entering the country, then a residence permit requested after arrival.
Before departure: the temporary authorisation to stay
The application for a temporary authorisation to stay is filed with the General Directorate of Immigration, from your country of residence. The purpose of your stay determines the file: salaried worker, highly qualified worker (EU Blue Card), student, family member, private reasons, and so on. A salaried worker needs, among other things, an employment contract and, in some cases, proof that the vacancy was declared to ADEM. Processing can take up to 4 months. If your nationality requires a visa, then apply for a type D visa at a Luxembourg embassy or consulate.
A view of Luxembourg landmark scenery, your new destination to live and work.
After arrival: from the medical check to the residence permit
- File the declaration of arrival at your commune of residence within 3 days of entering the country.
- Undergo the compulsory medical check (medical examination and tuberculosis screening) with an approved service.
- Submit the residence permit application to the General Directorate of Immigration within 3 months of arrival, with a biometric photo and supporting documents.
- Pay the 80 euro fee and attend the appointment for biometric data capture.
- Collect your residence card; the first permit for a salaried worker is valid for a maximum of 1 year, restricted to one sector and one profession.
Preparing official paperwork and completing administrative steps for your residence permit.
Durations and renewals
| Step | Deadline / duration | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary authorisation to stay | Up to 4 months' processing | €80 |
| Declaration of arrival | 3 days after entry | Varies by commune |
| Residence permit application | Within 3 months | €80 |
| First "salaried worker" permit | 1 year maximum | – |
| Subsequent renewals | Up to 3 years, all sectors | €80 |
After the first renewal, the salaried worker permit gives access to any sector and any profession. After five years of legal, uninterrupted residence, you can apply for long-term resident status. Be careful: entering as a tourist and then trying to regularise your situation on the spot is in principle not possible; the prior authorisation is the key to the whole procedure.
