Luxembourg is a small European country located between Belgium, Germany and France. It has a population of over 600,000 people and is one of the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita. Luxembourg has a stable economy and a high standard of living, making it an attractive destination for immigrants looking to settle in Europe.
Eligibility for Citizenship
To be eligible for Luxembourg citizenship, you must fulfil certain conditions. The main ways to get citizenship are:
Through Residence
You can apply for citizenship through residence if:
- You have legally lived in Luxembourg for at least 5 years continuously before applying.
- You pass a Luxembourgish language exam showing basic fluency.
- You pass a citizenship exam showing basic knowledge of Luxembourg’s culture and society.
- You have no serious criminal convictions.
The residence period is reduced to just 3 years if you were born in Luxembourg or have a parent who is a citizen.
Through Marriage
You can get citizenship by marriage after living in Luxembourg for at least 3 years married to a Luxembourg citizen. You must still pass the language and citizenship exams.
Through Birth/Descent
If one or both of your parents are citizens of Luxembourg, you are automatically entitled to citizenship at birth, regardless of where you were born.
Through Investment
Luxembourg has an investment citizenship program. You can get citizenship by:
- Making a minimum €500,000 investment in a company or fund in Luxembourg.
- Donating at least €200,000 to a public project or charity.
- Buying real estate worth over €1.5 million and keeping it for at least 5 years.
You still need to meet other eligibility criteria like clean criminal records and passing exams.
How to Apply
To apply for naturalization, you must submit an application to the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice. Here are the steps:
- Gather the required documents: your birth certificate, marriage certificate if relevant, passport, proof of address, criminal record extract and evidence that you pass the eligibility criteria. Get official translations if needed.
- Complete the citizenship application forms available online. Fill in details of your residence, employment, family etc.
- Submit the forms and documents to the Ministry of Justice in person or by registered mail. Pay the application fees.
- Wait for processing. It takes 6-12 months on average to get a decision. You may be called for an interview.
- If approved, take the language and citizenship exams at the Insitut National des Langues. Study and practice for these.
- Attend a citizenship ceremony where you swear an oath of allegiance. Then you will receive a citizenship certificate.
- Apply for a Luxembourg passport as proof of citizenship.
Benefits of Luxembourg Citizenship
Some major benefits if you obtain Luxembourg citizenship include:
- Freedom to live and work anywhere in the EU. Luxembourg is an EU member state.
- Visa-free travel to over 180 countries worldwide. Luxembourg passport has high global mobility.
- Ability to own business and assets in Luxembourg under the same conditions as locals.
- Voting rights and full participation in the political process.
- Access to Luxembourg’s high quality healthcare and education systems.
- Passing on citizenship to future generations born outside Luxembourg.
- Protection and assistance of Luxembourg embassies/consulates worldwide.
Visa-Free Travel
A key benefit of obtaining Luxembourg citizenship is the ability to travel visa-free to many countries around the world.
With a Luxembourg passport, you can visit any country in the European Union’s Schengen area without a visa for touristic or business purposes. This includes major European countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain etc.
As Luxembourg is an EU member state, you can live and work in any EU/EEA country without a visa. The EEA includes EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
In addition, the Luxembourg passport allows visa-free entry to many non-EU countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. In total, you can travel to over 180 destinations visa-free with a Luxembourg passport.
However, you will still need to apply for visas in advance if you wish to visit countries like China, India, Russia, Turkey and most African or South American nations. But having a Luxembourg passport makes getting visas easier compared to many other nationalities.
Conclusion
Luxembourg welcomes foreigners wishing to integrate and contribute to its multicultural society. With some effort to learn the local languages and culture, you can obtain Luxembourg citizenship within 3-5 years and enjoy extensive benefits. Consider applying if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Read more: https://luxtoday.lu/en/guide/how-to-obtain-luxembourg-citizenship
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about getting citizenship in Luxembourg:
What are the language requirements?
You need to pass language exams in one of Luxembourg’s official languages – Luxembourgish, French or German. The level required is A2 CEFR, which is basic fluency.
Can I hold dual citizenship?
Yes, Luxembourg allows dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce your current nationality.
Do my children get citizenship if I become a citizen?
Yes, any children under 18 who are living with you in Luxembourg will automatically get citizenship when you do. Older children can apply via declaration.
Do I need to live in Luxembourg after getting citizenship?
No, you can live abroad after getting Luxembourg citizenship. However, you must visit Luxembourg at least once every 5 years to retain citizenship status.
How much does it cost to apply?
The application fees are currently €200 for adults and €100 for children under 18. There may be other costs like translations and language exams.
How long does the process take?
It takes around 6-12 months to get a decision after submitting your application. The overall process can take 1-3 years depending on your eligibility category.
Can citizenship be refused?
Yes, citizenship can be rejected even if you meet the basic requirements. Reasons may include criminal records, national security concerns, fraud etc.
Can I appeal if my application is denied?
Yes, you can appeal to the Minister of Justice within 30 days if your citizenship application gets rejected. Provide additional evidence supporting your appeal.
