Luxembourg is a small country in northwestern Europe with a population of about 650,000. It is landlocked by Germany, France, and Belgium and has a high cost of living. Moreover, the government offers social benefits and amenities to help low-income earners save money and enjoy a comfortable life. There are also lots of rewarding opportunities in the telecommunications, construction, and banking sectors. Hence, the unemployment rate is very low, and the economy is stable. Many immigrants strive to obtain Luxembourg permanent residency to enjoy maximum access to its advanced economy. We’re happy to guide you on the path to a successful application.
Facts About Luxembourg Permanent Residency
Once you set up in a comfortable country, you begin to consider permanent residency, especially in a country like Luxembourg, where permanent residents enjoy additional benefits that other foreign nationals don’t have access to. Temporary residents are limited to the conditions of their entry visas. Also, most long-stay visas come with residence permits ranging between one and five years, which must be renewed for continuous stay in the country.
Like many popular immigrant destinations, you can apply for Luxembourg permanent residency after living there for at least five consecutive years. Luxembourg has several types of permanent residence permits, and most require a current work visa. The kind you should apply for depends on your personal circumstances and nationality.Â
It is true that permanent residence permits allow immigrants to live indefinitely in Luxembourg; however, you have to renew them occasionally, depending on your country of origin. This is to encourage residents to be law-abiding and productive to the country. You may also lose your PR rights if you fail to renew your permanent residence on time or commit treason. Another major benefit of Luxembourg permanent residency is that it takes you several steps closer to citizenship. Additionally, All visa, immigration, and citizenship applications go through Luxembourg’s Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. They also oversee all immigration issues, ranging from visas to residency renewals.
Permanent Residency vs Citizenship in Luxembourg
A huge chunk of Luxembourg’s population are foreign immigrants and new citizens. Citizenship and permanent residence allow foreigners to live, work, and study in Luxembourg indefinitely and buy properties.
While permanent residents won’t have all the same rights as Luxembourgish citizens, they can live, work, and study there indefinitely. They also have better chances at obtaining citizenship but must meet other essential requirements to qualify.
This means even more freedom and access to everything the country offers. For instance, only citizens can vote in elections and referendums and run for political office. Voting is compulsory for citizens in Luxembourg. New citizens can also apply for local ID cards and passports. And since Luxembourg recognizes dual citizenship, you will not have to renounce your current nationality.
Permanent residents need to renew their permits occasionally, while citizenship is a one-time application. Furthermore, Citizens can also travel freely in and out of Luxembourg and remain abroad as long as they want. Meanwhile, permanent residents can also travel freely but cannot stay out of Luxembourg for more than six months at a time. Else, they will be unable to renew their permits.
How to Apply for Luxembourg Permanent Residency
The types of permanent residence in Luxembourg have slightly different application procedures. Moreover, all applications must go through the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
A. For Non-EU Nationals
The permanent residence application process is intensive for non-EU or third-country nationals. You will need to complete the application form and submit it with the following documents.
- A valid passport.
- Proof of stable income for five years before the application.
- Rental agreement or property deed proving suitable housing.
- A recent certificate of affiliation for the past five years from the Joint Social Security Centre (Centre commun de la sécurité sociale – CCSS).
- Proof of health insurance.
- A background check from your time living in Luxembourg.
- Proof of your integration into Luxembourgish society (e.g., certificate of a language course, club membership, and testimony from friends).
- Power of attorney (if applicable).
German, French, and Luxembourgish are the official languages of Luxembourg, and government agencies will also accept documents in English. If your documents are in a different language, you will need to obtain official translations, preferably from a sworn translator, who may be an individual such as a notary public, lawyer, or professional company with experience in translating documents in Luxembourg.
Upon submission of your application and documents, you will be given a receipt that will act as your temporary authorization to stay in Luxembourg until a decision is reached. Normally, you can expect to receive feedback within six months, during which you should not travel out of the country. If your application is successful, you must schedule an appointment with the Immigration Directorate to provide your biometric data.
B. For EU Nationals
Obtaining permanent residence is a simple process if you have resided in Luxembourg for at least five years as an EU citizen. All you need to do is send a request to the Immigration Directorate along with a copy of your ID or passport.
C. For British Citizens
British nationals no longer have access to the benefits of the EU following Brexit, but they have certain advantages compared to other non-EU citizens. If you are a citizen of the UK and have resided in Luxembourg for a minimum of five years while being eligible for the Withdrawal Agreement, you can apply for permanent residency in Luxembourg.
To initiate this process, you will be required to complete the appropriate application form and submit it, along with a copy of your passport, to the Immigration Directorate. Upon approval of the application, you will need to schedule an appointment to provide your biometric data at the Immigration Directorate and return on a later date to collect your permit.
Luxembourg Permanent Residency Requirements
There are several categories of permanent residence in Luxembourg. While most requirements are the same for all, some are peculiar to foreign nationals from certain countries. The most common categories of permanent residency are as follows:
- Long-term resident status for third-country nationals.
- Permanent residence for EU citizens.
- Permanent residence for British nationals and family members who the Withdrawal Agreement covers.
- Permanent residence for non-EU nationals who are family members of EU citizens.
For any of these common types of permanent residency, you need to demonstrate that you have resided in Luxembourg for at least five years. You are allowed to be away for up to six consecutive months or a total of ten months during this period. If necessary, the periods of absence can be extended up to 12 months for specific reasons such as pregnancy, illness, or education.
In exceptional situations, the government of Luxembourg may waive the five-year requirement. For instance, EU citizens who retire after residing in Luxembourg for three years or those employed within the EU in the past year may expedite their permanent residency application.
Another important requirement for all permanent residency applicants is a valid travel passport from their country of origin/nationality. Furthermore, non-EU citizens must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents. They also need to have suitable accommodation and health insurance and prove that they do not threaten public order or safety.
What Does Luxembourg Permanent Residency Cost?
The basic cost of applying for permanent residence in Luxembourg differs by the type of permit you are applying for. Non-EU citizens and third-country nationals pay eighty Euros, while EU and British nationals apply free of charge.Â
Aside from the application fee, you may be required to pay for some services. For instance, if your documents are not in Luxembourgish, English, German, or French, you must pay to have them translated and certified. Also, if you filed your application via an intermediary, you also have to pay them.
Luxembourg Permanent Residency Renewal
Like all other aspects, the validity period of your permanent residence permit depends on the type you apply for. Non-EU citizens have to renew their permits every five years, British citizens get a ten-year validity period, while EU citizens never have to renew theirs.
British and non-EU nationals who want to renew their permanent residence in Luxembourg must do so within two months of expiration. They need to file the renewal application form with a copy of their passport and an extract of their Luxembourg criminal record with the Immigration Directorate. This process also requires an application fee of €80 for non-EU nationals, while British citizens can simply request a renewal for free.
Luxembourg Permanent Residence for Dependents
In Luxembourg, individual applications for permanent residence are typically required for family members. Consequently, each individual must also meet all the criteria for permanent residence, which includes residing in the country for five consecutive years. However, adjustments can be made to the conditions to accommodate dependents. This type of permit is exclusively open to immediate family members (spouses and partners, children, and parents) of EU citizens and is subject to specific conditions.
If you are interested in applying for this permit, you will need to submit a request for permanent residence in Luxembourg to the Immigration Directorate, along with a copy of your current passport. This family visa has a validity period of ten years and can be renewed automatically if a request is submitted on time and you have a valid passport from your country of origin.
Losing Luxembourg Permanent Residency Rights/Permit
In general, non-EU citizens will lose their permanent residence in Luxembourg if they leave the country for more than six consecutive months. However, EU nationals and their direct relatives can remain outside Luxembourg for up to two years without losing permanent residence.
How to Handle a Rejected Application
Unfortunately, there are situations where applications for permanent residency in Luxembourg may be rejected. If, for any reason, your application is unsuccessful, you may wish to challenge the decision. In this situation, you will need to initially communicate with the officer handling your case to gain more insight into the grounds for the rejection and to explore your options. If you believe you have a strong case, you may need to enlist the services of a lawyer and escalate the matter to the Luxembourgish Administrative Court.
Conclusion
Obtaining permanent residency can be a valuable asset in a comfortable country like Luxembourg. After living in the country for at least five years, you can apply for permanent residency. This allows you to stay and work indefinitely in the country and brings you closer to citizenship. However, you need to renew your permanent residence occasionally, and failing to do so may result in losing your PR rights. The application procedures differ depending on your country of origin and other vital circumstances.
