Stone arch bridge above a wooded valley in Luxembourg City.

Luxembourg Visa & Immigration Services

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families, entrepreneurs and international businesses on visa and immigration options for Luxembourg. We assist with business travel, work permits, EU Blue Cards, intra-corporate transfers, self-employment, investor residence, family reunification, study, long-term residence and Luxembourg nationality matters.

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Luxembourg is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Immigration requirements depend on nationality, the purpose of residence and the intended length of stay. EU citizens benefit from freedom of movement, while most third-country nationals moving to Luxembourg for work or residence require prior immigration authorisation and the appropriate residence permit.

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Whether you are relocating, recruiting an overseas employee, transferring a manager or specialist, establishing a business, making a qualifying investment or joining family, our immigration lawyers can assess the available routes and coordinate the authorisation to stay, visa and residence-permit stages.

Luxembourg Work Visas & Work Permits

Third-country nationals moving to Luxembourg for salaried employment for more than three months generally require immigration approval before entering the country. The standard process involves separate pre-arrival and post-arrival stages.

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Before recruiting under the standard salaried-worker route, the employer generally has to declare the vacant position to the National Employment Agency (ADEM) and complete the applicable labour-market procedure.

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The prospective employee generally needs to obtain a temporary authorisation to stay from Luxembourg’s General Department of Immigration before travelling to take up residence and employment. Where required by nationality, a Type D visa must be obtained after this authorisation has been approved.

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Following arrival, the employee will generally need to:

make a declaration of arrival in the commune where they will live;
complete the required medical examination; and
apply for the appropriate residence permit.

Applicants should not travel intending to regularise an ordinary employment application after arrival where prior authorisation is required. Work authorisation can also be required for employment lasting less than three months.

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Luxembourg EU Blue Card for Highly Qualified Workers

The EU Blue Card is available to qualifying highly qualified third-country professionals. Applicants generally need an employment contract for at least six months, the required higher professional qualifications and remuneration meeting the applicable threshold.

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The minimum gross annual salary is EUR 65,652 as at September 2026, subject to change. Employers must declare the vacancy to ADEM, although qualifying EU Blue Card applicants are not subject to the ordinary labour-market test.

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EU Blue Card Compared with the Standard Salaried-Worker Route

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Requirement	EU Blue Card	Standard salaried worker
Best suited to	Highly qualified professionals	Wider range of qualifying workers
Luxembourg employment required	Yes	Yes
Minimum contract	At least six months	Depends on circumstances
Higher professional qualifications	Required	Depends on the role
Salary requirement	EUR 65,652 gross annually*	Applicable employment and remuneration requirements
Ordinary labour-market test	No	Generally applicable
Employer involvement	Yes	Yes

*EU Blue Card salary threshold as at September 2026; subject to change.

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EU Blue Card Mobility

A qualifying third-country national who has held a valid EU Blue Card issued by another participating Member State for at least 12 months may be able to move to Luxembourg for highly qualified work, subject to Luxembourg’s Blue Card requirements.

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Hudson McKenzie can compare the available employment routes and coordinate employer and employee documentation, immigration applications and residence formalities.

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Self-Employment & Entrepreneur Residence

Luxembourg provides a residence route for qualifying third-country nationals who intend to establish themselves as self-employed workers. Applicants must obtain a temporary authorisation to stay before entering Luxembourg for this purpose.

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Applicants generally need to demonstrate:

the professional qualifications required for the proposed activity;
compliance with professional registration and access requirements;
sufficient resources to establish and operate the activity; and
that the activity serves Luxembourg’s social, cultural or economic interests.

The authorities can consider the economic need, business viability, integration into the local or national economy, job creation, investment and innovative activity. They can also consider whether the applicant’s presence is required for day-to-day management.

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Where a business permit or professional authorisation is required, preliminary approval may need to be obtained before submitting the immigration application.

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A self-employed residence permit can generally be issued for a maximum initial period of three years and renewed where the applicable conditions continue to be met.

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Luxembourg Investor Residence Permit

Luxembourg provides a specific residence route for qualifying third-country investors. The investment must fall within an eligible category and satisfy the associated conditions.

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Investment route	Minimum qualifying amount
Existing qualifying Luxembourg company	EUR 500,000
New qualifying Luxembourg business	EUR 500,000
Qualifying management and investment structure	EUR 3 million
Deposit with a qualifying Luxembourg financial institution	EUR 20 million

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For an existing company carrying on qualifying commercial, craft or industrial activity, the investor must generally maintain the investment for at least five years and preserve the required employment level, subject to the applicable rules.

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For a new business carrying on qualifying commercial, craft or industrial activity, at least five jobs must generally be created within three years of incorporation, with recruitment undertaken in collaboration with ADEM.

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The EUR 3 million route requires an eligible management and investment structure with its registered office and the required substance in Luxembourg. The EUR 20 million deposit must be maintained for at least five years.

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The relevant investment approval from the Ministry of the Economy or Ministry of Finance must be obtained before applying for temporary authorisation to stay.

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Does Property Qualify?

Direct or indirect investment involving the acquisition or rental of real estate does not qualify for Luxembourg’s investor residence permit. Buying property does not by itself provide residence rights.

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Hudson McKenzie can advise on the immigration requirements and coordinate with the client’s corporate, tax, financial and regulated investment advisers. Read more about our citizenship and residence by investment services.

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Short-Stay Business & Visitor Visas

Luxembourg is part of the Schengen Area. Third-country nationals who require a visa for short visits generally need a Schengen short-stay visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

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Permitted business activities can include meetings, negotiations, conferences, seminars, trade fairs and discussions with clients or business partners. A business visit does not automatically authorise productive employment, and work authorisation can be required even for a short stay.

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Depending on nationality, a visa may also be required for tourism, family visits and other private travel. Visa-free entry and permission to work are separate matters. Our consular services can assist with relevant visa and document requirements.

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UK Citizens Moving to Luxembourg After Brexit

British citizens making a new move to Luxembourg after Brexit are generally treated as third-country nationals. Depending on their circumstances, routes can include salaried employment, the EU Blue Card, an ICT permit, self-employment, investor residence, family reunification or another qualifying residence category.

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Different rules apply to qualifying British citizens and family members protected by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Hudson McKenzie can assess whether an individual benefits from protected rights or requires a new immigration application.

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Study & Student Residence Permits

Third-country nationals accepted for qualifying higher education in Luxembourg generally need temporary authorisation to stay before entering for studies and, where required, a Type D visa. After arrival, they must complete the applicable local registration, medical and residence-permit procedures.

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Supporting evidence can include admission to an eligible institution, sufficient financial resources, health insurance, appropriate accommodation or residence arrangements and other required documentation.

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Separate rules govern employment during studies. Post-study immigration options may also be available in qualifying circumstances. Hudson McKenzie can advise students and families on residence documentation and relevant subsequent immigration options.

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Residence in Luxembourg for Private Reasons

Luxembourg provides residence for private reasons in specified circumstances. Under the own-resources category, the official conditions refer to income from professional activity in another EU or Schengen state, or an old-age, invalidity or survivor’s pension paid by a social-security institution in Luxembourg or another EU or Schengen state.

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Separate provisions can apply to certain applicants with significant personal or family ties. The relevant financial, housing, insurance and other requirements must also be satisfied.

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This is not an automatic passive-income, retirement or digital-nomad visa. Work rights depend on the applicable status and conditions. Hudson McKenzie can assess the proposed basis of residence before relocation or financial commitments are made.

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Remote Working & Digital Nomads in Luxembourg

Luxembourg does not currently operate a general Digital Nomad Visa. Working remotely for an overseas employer does not by itself give a third-country national the right to establish residence in Luxembourg.

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The immigration position depends on nationality, existing residence rights, the employer, the nature of the work and the duration and pattern of residence. Third-country nationals should not assume that Schengen visitor status permits them to establish residence while continuing full-time professional activity remotely.

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Remote-working arrangements can also involve employment-law, tax and social-security obligations. Hudson McKenzie can assess the immigration implications and coordinate with appropriate advisers where required.

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Why Choose Hudson McKenzie for Luxembourg Immigration?

Hudson McKenzie supports individuals, families, highly qualified professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and international businesses with Luxembourg immigration and global mobility matters.

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For businesses, we coordinate immigration requirements for international recruitment, senior appointments, employee transfers, intra-group assignments and cross-border working. We work with HR and global mobility teams on route selection, documentation and employee and dependant applications.

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For entrepreneurs and investors, we assess the immigration requirements associated with establishing a business, self-employment or a qualifying investment, coordinating with appropriate corporate, tax, financial and regulatory advisers.

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For private clients, we assess residence options based on employment, business activities, investment, financial circumstances, family connections and long-term plans.

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Planning to work, invest, establish a business, relocate employees or join family in Luxembourg? Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss the visa and immigration options relevant to your circumstances.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial or investment advice. Luxembourg and EU immigration rules, salary thresholds, investment requirements, financial requirements and procedures are subject to change. Requirements can vary according to nationality, immigration category and individual circumstances.

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Investment decisions should be made only after obtaining appropriate advice from authorised financial, investment, tax and other professional advisers. Hudson McKenzie’s immigration advice should be considered separately from regulated investment advice. Figures and requirements should be checked when an application is prepared. Please contact Hudson McKenzie for advice tailored to your circumstances.

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