Ways to live in Luxembourg
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
EU Blue Card (EU work permit for highly qualified specialists)
For professionals with a highly qualified job offer from a Luxembourg employer and a high salary. No check of the local labour market is needed.
- What you need
- Employment contract for at least 6 months with a gross salary of at least €65,652 a year, plus proof of the qualifications needed for the job. Criminal record extract and travel health insurance for the visa.
- Income
- from about $6,400 a month
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- up to 3 months for the authorisation to stay
- How to apply
- Apply for a long-stay visa (visa D) at a Luxembourg or Belgian embassy before travelling, then register with the commune, pass a medical check and get the residence permit in Luxembourg.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term resident status is possible after 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence.
Residence permit for salaried workers
The general work route for any job with a Luxembourg employer. The employer first goes through the formalities with the national employment agency (ADEM).
- What you need
- Signed employment contract, CV, diplomas or proof of qualifications, criminal record extract and travel health insurance. The employer must complete the steps with ADEM before the application.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Long-stay visa (visa D) at a Luxembourg or Belgian embassy before travelling, then the residence permit in Luxembourg.
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term resident status is possible after 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence.
Student visa Student visas →
Residence permit for students
For full-time students admitted to the University of Luxembourg, an advanced technician programme (BTS) or an approved private college. PhD candidates also count as students.
- What you need
- Proof of admission, monthly resources of at least 80% of Luxembourg's social inclusion income plus money for a return trip, criminal record extract and travel health insurance. Students may work up to 15 hours a week on average, with no limit during holidays.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Long-stay visa (visa D) at a Luxembourg or Belgian embassy before travelling; applications made from inside Luxembourg are not accepted.
- Path to permanent residence
- After graduating, you can stay to look for a job or start a business and switch to a work or self-employed permit.
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Residence permit for self-employed workers
For freelancers and business owners who will run their activity from Luxembourg. The project must bring economic, social or cultural benefit to the country.
- What you need
- Qualifications for the planned activity, enough resources to run it and a viable business project (jobs, investment or a real economic need count). If a business permit is required, you need an agreement in principle from the Ministry of the Economy first. CV, diplomas and criminal record extract.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Long-stay visa (visa D) at a Luxembourg or Belgian embassy before travelling, then the residence permit in Luxembourg.
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term resident status is possible after 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence.
Passive income visa Passive income visas →
Residence for private reasons (own resources)
For people who can live on their own income without working in Luxembourg. The income must come from work done in another EU or Schengen country, or from an old-age, disability or survivor's pension paid by a Luxembourg or EU/Schengen social security fund.
- What you need
- Stable income at least equal to Luxembourg's monthly social minimum wage for unskilled workers, criminal record extract and travel health insurance.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Long-stay visa (visa D) at a Luxembourg or Belgian embassy before travelling, then the residence permit in Luxembourg.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $1,000 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $1,810 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $2,780 |
| Bills | $200 |
| Typical local salary | $6,000 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Luxembourg combines a dramatic old town on cliffs with forests, castles and vineyards along the Moselle. A large international workforce gives it a cosmopolitan feel, and France, Germany and Belgium are a short drive away.
Day to day
Public transport is free nationwide, including trains and trams. Healthcare is high quality and well organised. Banking is strong, and most people switch easily between French, German, Luxembourgish and English.
Trade-offs
Housing is very expensive and hard to find. Evenings and weekends can feel quiet, and many workers commute from neighbouring countries. Cross-border traffic jams are a daily routine.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free
NorwayVisa-free
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Luxembourg have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Luxembourg?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Passive income visa.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
