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Work permits and visas in Luxembourg: an employer’s guide

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Employers who hire people across the globe must ensure they follow the immigration laws of each nation. With the rise of remote work, some workers want to become digital nomads or choose to live and work abroad permanently.

It can be challenging for companies to comply with local visa and immigration if their team member decides to move abroad. If the employee wishes to work in Luxembourg, the company has to make sure they have the correct documentation to work legally in the country.

In this article, we'll discuss the work visa and work permit requirements in Luxembourg, the process, and eligibility requirements. We’ll also explain how a global employment partner like Remote can make relocation simple.

Jump straight to a key chapter

Who is eligible to work in Luxembourg?
What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Luxembourg?
What is the process for employee work visa sponsorship in Luxembourg?
What are the visa requirements for digital nomads in Luxembourg?

Who is eligible to work in Luxembourg?

It's good practice for employers to make sure each employee can legally work in the country they want to work in.

For the first three months of their stay, workers from the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) do not require permits or visas to work in Luxembourg.

Individuals, who are non-citizens of the EU and the EEA, will have to apply for the right visa and work permit if they want to move to the country. Check out this list of countries whose citizens will require a visa to enter and work in Luxembourg. Those who are not EU citizens may be eligible for an EU Blue Card, which would allow them to travel to and work in Luxembourg.

How is the European Union Blue Card applicable?

The European Blue Card, also known as the EU Blue Card, is a residence and work permit for workers who are not from the EU or EEA.

The EU Blue Card is supported by 25 European countries, including Luxembourg. It allows for highly qualified individuals from outside the EU to enter the EU to work. Applicants must have higher qualifications, such as a university degree, a high salary, travel documents, and an employment contract already in place.

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What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Luxembourg?

Conditions for eligibility for the visa depend on the length of stay as well as the country of origin of the foreign national applying.

If the individual is from a country that requires them to get a visa to enter Luxembourg, they will need to apply for a work visa.

EU nationals applying for a visa for three months must have a national identity card or passport. If they wish to stay or work longer than 90 days, they will need to complete certain processes.

For non-EU citizens, known as third-country nationals, wishing to work in Luxembourg for less than 90 days, must get a work permit if they are not exempt. Non-EU and non-EEA citizens can either apply for a work permit or have their employer apply on their behalf.

To be eligible for the work permit, third-country nationals must have a valid passport as well as a visa if they come from a country on the list of countries that requires a visa.

Visas can be either a short-stay (Visa C) for 90 days or a long-stay (Visa D), which is over 90 days.

Procedure to get a work permit for under 90 days

Employers must declare a job vacancy to the National Employment Agency (ADEM). ADEM will check to see if the position could be filled by a Luxembourger or an EU citizen. If not, the employer can begin an employment contract with the applicant and request a certificate granting them that right. The employer then notifies the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the employment arrangement.

Visa applications should be submitted between six months and 15 days before the intended visit. Employees send their application for a work permit to the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

The applicant must:

State their identity and country of origin
Present two recent photos
Present a letter of invitation for a business trip
Show proof of finances
Show a copy of their passport
Show copies of their degrees or other qualifications
Present their legally compliant employment contract
Possess the original certificate from ADEM
Possess health insurance coverage for the duration of the visit
Have power of attorney if applicable

A response from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs usually takes three months. Beyond that, it is assumed the application has been rejected. If approved, the cost for a Visa C is EUR 80.

Procedure to get a work permit for over 90 days

To be able to get a long-stay work visa, employees must have a passport expiring no sooner than 90 days beyond the visa expiration. Employers must make a declaration of a vacant position to the ADEM.

Applicants must first apply for a “temporary authorization to stay” to the Immigration Directorate of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. After receiving that authorization, the individual applies for a Type D long-stay visa.

The applicant who is a salaried worker applying for a Type D visa must:

Hold a valid passport
Possess the original ADEM certificate
Make a declaration of arrival in their new commune in Luxembourg
Undergo a medical check
Apply for a residence permit

The employer signs a dated employment contract and notifies the start of the employment relationship to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs within three days of the first day of work.

What is the process for employee work visa sponsorship in Luxembourg?

For employees to be able to work in Luxembourg, the employer must go through the procedures outlined above, including

declaring a job vacancy
requesting a certificate granting them the right to legally employ the employee, and
notifying government authorities of the start of the employment relationship.

For long-stay visas, the employer must go through these steps. Thus, sponsorship is required before the visa can be approved.

The process of getting a Schengen visa in Luxembourg for applicants from the EU usually takes about 15 days. The response for a work visa application for a non-EU citizen is typically 30 days.

The worker can relocate to Luxembourg to start working once they have obtained all necessary work permits and visas.

If you’re looking for a way to make this process easier, Remote can help you with every step of the process — eligibility checks, work permits and visas, sponsorship, onboarding while remaining with local immigration and employment laws.

What are the visa requirements for digital nomads in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg does not currently have a specific digital nomad visa. If they want to work in Luxembourg for a short duration, they can apply for a short-term Visa C.

Luxembourg —

12 min

How to use an Employer of Record in Luxembourg

Learn how to use an EOR in Luxembourg and find out how an employer of record platform like Remote can make it easy to hire globally with full compliance.

To employ workers legally in Luxembourg, employers must ensure that their employees have the appropriate work visa. If you decide to hire international workers to add value to your team, you must also help them obtain the right visas and work permits and comply with immigration regulations in the country of hiring.

Relocation can be a stressful process for the employee as well as the employer. If you’re looking for an easy and efficient way to manage the hiring and immigration process from start to finish with minimum hassle, check out Remote's global HR services.

Remote can help you with benefits, taxes, compliance, international payroll, and visas. During the relocation process, Remote also makes sure that businesses adhere to all relevant immigration and labor laws. Specifically, Remote can help you:

Fulfilling requirements for immigration and visas
Understand international taxation laws while hiring abroad
Avoid the risks of permanent establishment
Comply with local employment laws.

Download Remote's Relocation Guide to learn more about the steps involved in international employee relocation. Or schedule a call with our Mobility specialists for guidance and advice on how you can hire an employee in Luxembourg and beyond today!