1. Meet residency requirements
You must have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least five consecutive years, with the final year being uninterrupted. Time spent as a student or cross-border worker may not fully count toward this requirement.
2. Pass the Luxembourgish language exam
You need to demonstrate basic knowledge of spoken Luxembourgish by passing a standardised language test, which proves your ability to have simple conversations relevant to daily life.
3. Complete the civics course
Applicants must take a civic integration course or pass a test covering Luxembourg’s history, political system, rights and civic duties. This shows your understanding of national values and structure.
4. Have a clean criminal record
You must provide a recent criminal record extract from Luxembourg and your country of origin or residence. A clean record is essential; serious offences may disqualify your application.
5. Submit the naturalisation application
Once all conditions are met, submit your application to the local civil registrar. Include all required documents and certificates. If approved, you’ll receive Luxembourg nationality and can apply for a passport. Find more information on the procedure on Guichet.lu.
Key benefits to getting a Luxembourg passport
A Luxembourg passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries, making it one of the world’s strongest. As an EU citizen, you gain the right to live, work and study in any EU country. It also provides access to high-quality healthcare, education and social benefits. Luxembourg allows dual nationality, so you can keep your original citizenship. The passport reflects political stability, strong legal protections and a high standard of living, making it a valuable asset globally.
Tip
You can also claim Luxembourgish nationality if you can prove that you are the direct descendant of a Luxembourger who held citizenship on 1 January 1900. This process has a deadline, however, of 31 December 2025.
This article was written for the August/September 2025 issue of Paperjam magazine (Expat Guide), published on 10 July. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the site to contribute to the full Paperjam archive. Click this link to subscribe to the magazine.
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