Luxembourg is, without a doubt, the most multicultural and cosmopolitan country in the world with more than 170 nationalities. If you are a third-country national living in a cross-border country and are considering working in Luxembourg, we explain the conditions and procedures involved in this article.
Prerequisites
If you wish to work in Luxembourg, you may be required to hold a long stay visa (visa D) issued by a consular authority from one of the Schengen countries. This is determined according to your nationality.
You will not need a visa if you have a residence card stating that you are a family member of an European Union citizen or a valid residence permit issued by another EU member.
Find more information about visa here.
Work permit application
Two steps are necessary to be able to work in Luxembourg.
First of all, as a third-country national legally residing in an EU member state or in an assimilated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland), you will need a work permit before you can claim any work in Luxembourg. To get this, you must make a written application to the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE). It is important to know that all attached document to your application must be translated into English, French or German (the usual languages of Luxembourg). In addition, it is also possible to mandate a third party (e.g. your employer) to make the application on your behalf. You should also know that the maximum response time to any request is of 3 months. If you do not receive any response within this time, you may consider your application rejected.
At the same time, before starting any work in the Grand Duchy, you will be subject to the labour market test. Your future employer must first declare the vacant position to the ADEM (Agence pour le développement de l'emploi). If the latter cannot find a suitable profile for this position within 3 weeks, the employer can choose to recruit the person of his choice, in that case you.
Validity and renewal of the work permit
If your application for a work permit has been accepted by the MAEE, it will take effect immediately and will be valid for a maximum of 1 year, for a single profession with any employer and for a specific sector.
You will then have the possibility to renew it, on request, only if the eligibility requirements are still met, and if you can prove that you worked during the period of your initial authorization. You will need to apply directly to the MAEE Immigration Department, 2 months prior to the expiry date of your initial work permit. Your first renewal will be for up to 3 years for any sector or profession. It is important to know that if you wish to change your job or sector, you will have to start the procedure again by applying to the MAEE.
Exceptions
There are some special cases:
- If your spouse, partner, son or daughter is a citizen of the EU (or an assimilated country) and works in Luxembourg, then you may request a work permit exemption.
- Highly qualified employees with relevant high professional qualifications for a certain industry are also exempt from the work permit requirement.
Useful links
- Information on the work permit for third-country nationals residing in a cross-border country wishing to work in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Application for renewal of a work permit for a third-country national residing in a cross-border country (only in French)
- Power of attorney (Mandate Convention)
- Website of the Directorate Immigration of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
If you also wish to settle in Luxembourg, we provide you with all the necessary information in this article.
Do you want to work in Luxembourg? Find more than 5,000 job offers on the jobboard Moovijob.com.
