Ways To Work And Live In Luxembourg

Luxembourg is the wealthiest country, per capita, in the European Union, and its standard of living is high. Such economic prosperity is rare among industrialized democracies. Luxembourg is an economic powerhouse in the Greater Region. Its financial sector has attracted so many foreigners that immigrants make up almost half of its population. You need to obtain a work permit before you can legally stay and work in Luxembourg, and it has three types of work permits.

The types of work permits

• • Short Stay
    This visa allows the holder to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days over 180 days.
  • Long Stays (D)
    Foreigners who wish to stay in Luxembourg for more than three months for education, work, or permanent residence. This visa is highly sought by au pairs, salaried professionals, self-employed professionals, highly qualified employees, and students.
  • EU Blue Card
    This visa is highly sought by third-country nationals who want to work for more than three months as highly-qualified workers in Luxembourg. Unlike the other two work permits, this permit is obtained only after completing a special procedure and has specific benefits.

How you can live and work there

These are the different ways in which you can live and work in Luxembourg:

Being a Citizen of certain countries

Citizens of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland do not need work permits to live and work in Luxembourg.

Schengen Visa

Since Luxembourg is a member of the Schengen Area, Schengen visa holders can move freely into Luxembourg for short-term stays of up to 90 days for business.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can enter and stay in Luxembourg for up to three months. They must carry a valid identity card or passport with them. If they wish to stay for a longer duration, they must be:

1. 1. Employed by a company or
   2. Self-employed or
   3. Enrolled at an educational institution (public or private) or
   4. Have sufficient resources to support themselves without becoming a burden to the social security system. They should also have health insurance coverage.

They do not need a visa or work permit. Still, they must go to the administration communal (local authority offices) in their area of residence within three months of arriving in Luxembourg to apply for a registration certificate.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

Most non-EU citizens need to hold a visa to stay in Luxembourg for up to three months. You can apply for a short-stay visa at the local Luxembourg consulate or embassy by submitting an application along with a valid passport, proof of the reason for the visit, accommodation details, and the return journey ticket.

Suppose you wish to stay for more than three months. In that case, you must apply for a temporary residence permit before arriving in Luxembourg since this permit works as both a residence and a work permit. To apply for a permanent residence permit, you must be an employee, intern, self-employed person, sportsperson, student, pupil, or researcher.

You should apply at the local Luxembourg consulate or embassy. If you do not have a Luxembourg consulate or embassy nearby, you can submit the same application at a Belgian or Dutch consulate or embassy.

How to apply for a Luxembourg permit or visa?

To submit an application for any of the work permits or visas, you must submit the following:

1. 1. A valid passport
   2. Birth certificate 
   3. Marriage certificate
   4. Divorce certificate
   5. Proof of financial means
   6. Proof of school admission (for students)

Most of these documents will have to be translated before submitting them. It usually takes up to three months to receive the permit.

Who can get the residence permit

Residence permits are granted to employees if:

• • The job you do serves the country’s economic interests.
  • You have the required technical skills.
  • The job opening for which the work contract has been signed is declared at the Employment Administration (ADEM.)
  • Highly qualified Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may be granted a waiver if they are starting a job for which qualified professionals are hard to come by.