Luxembourg – Citizenship

Who is eligible to apply for citizenship in Luxembourg?

Luxembourgish nationality can be acquired through three distinct legal routes: naturalisation, option declaration, and reclamation (recovery through ancestry). Most expatriates will pursue either naturalisation or the option procedure, though the appropriate route will depend on individual circumstances. Luxembourg’s official Guichet.lu portal offers an interactive decision tool to help you identify which procedure best fits your situation.

Naturalisation

Naturalisation is available to all adults who can demonstrate lawful residence in Luxembourg for a minimum of five years, with the year immediately prior to submitting the application being uninterrupted; who hold a valid language test certificate confirming proficiency in Luxembourgish; and who have either completed the “Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg” course or passed its corresponding examination. There is no maximum age restriction, and people of any nationality may apply. For comparison, Germany requires eight years of residency (or six in exceptional circumstances), while France requires five — placing Luxembourg broadly in line with the French threshold.

Citizenship by option

Foreign nationals may acquire citizenship through the option procedure under a number of qualifying circumstances, including: adults who have a natural or adoptive parent, or a grandparent, who is or was a Luxembourg national; parents whose children were born in Luxembourg; individuals who completed seven years of education in Luxembourg; foreign nationals who have resided in Luxembourg continuously for at least 20 years; those who have fulfilled the terms of the Welcome and Integration Contract; and stateless individuals, refugees, and persons with subsidiary protection status.

Adults who have completed at least seven years of schooling in Luxembourg need only demonstrate 12 months of continuous residency immediately before submitting their application. Adults who have been legally resident in Luxembourg for at least 20 years are also subject to the 12-month continuous residency requirement immediately preceding the application, along with reduced language requirements (detailed below).

Citizenship by descent (reclamation)

It is also possible to recover or reclaim Luxembourgish nationality for individuals who can establish that one of their ancestors held Luxembourg citizenship as of 1 January 1900. A separate but related possibility is the option procedure for adult descendants whose parent, adoptive parent, or grandparent was Luxembourgish, where nationality was not transmitted to them or their parents. Those who believe they may qualify through ancestry should verify any active deadlines directly with the Ministry of Justice.

Citizenship by marriage or civil partnership

Marriage to a Luxembourg national provides a pathway to citizenship in the Grand Duchy. However, entering into marriage is only the starting point — the spouse of a Luxembourg citizen must also satisfy the Luxembourgish language requirement and complete the Vivre Ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg course. Applications via the marriage route are processed as option declarations rather than naturalisation, although the practical requirements and steps involved are broadly comparable.

Citizenship by birth

Nationality is conferred automatically upon: a child born to a Luxembourg citizen parent, regardless of where the birth takes place; a child born in Luxembourg whose parent was also born in Luxembourg, even if that parent is not themselves a Luxembourg citizen; and a child born in Luxembourg whose parents are stateless or unable to transmit their own nationality to the child.

Investment route

Luxembourg does not operate a direct citizenship-by-investment scheme. That said, individuals who obtain residency through the Residence by Investment programme may eventually qualify for citizenship following a sufficient period of legal residence. There is no accelerated citizenship pathway for investors comparable to those found in certain Caribbean or European nations.

Good repute requirement

All applicants for Luxembourgish nationality must satisfy a requirement of good character. Nationality will be refused if an applicant has provided false information, withheld relevant details, or engaged in fraudulent conduct during the procedure, or if they have received — in Luxembourg or elsewhere — a criminal sentence or a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.

What are the steps involved in applying for citizenship in Luxembourg?

One advantageous aspect of Luxembourg’s naturalisation process is that no state fee is charged for the application itself. However, preparing certain supporting documents may involve costs set by the issuing body — for instance, Luxembourg communes may charge a municipal tax for producing copies of civil status records, while foreign authorities may levy fees for criminal record extracts or other official documents. Always consult the official Guichet.lu website for up-to-date figures, as fees and requirements are subject to change.

1. Confirm your eligibility. Use the eligibility decision tool on Guichet.lu to determine whether naturalisation, option, or reclamation is the appropriate route for your circumstances.
2. Register for and pass the Sproochentest. The Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL) administers the Luxembourgish oral examination required as part of most nationality applications. The registration fee for the test is €75 as of 2025. It is advisable to register well in advance, as waiting times for a test slot can run to several months.
3. Complete the civic integration course. Before applying for naturalisation, you must demonstrate knowledge of citizens’ fundamental rights, Luxembourg’s state and municipal institutions, and the history of Luxembourg and European integration. This is evidenced by a “Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg” certificate. The course is offered free of charge and is available in English, covering the required subject areas across multiple sessions.
4. Assemble your documentation. You must provide a full copy of your birth certificate and, where applicable, those of any children under 18; a copy of your current valid passport and, if relevant, those of children under 18 (or an alternative identity or travel document if no passport is held); a completed and signed biographical questionnaire; and criminal record certificates from Luxembourg and from every country in which you have resided since reaching the age of 18. All documents must be presented in French, German, or English, and translations must be certified by a sworn translator.
5. Submit your application in person. Naturalisation applications are lodged with the civil registrar of the commune where you ordinarily reside. You must attend in person — you may bring someone with you — and sign the application yourself or through your legal representative. Signature by proxy is not permitted.
6. File transferred to the Ministry of Justice. Once the civil registrar confirms that the legal conditions are met and the application is complete, the file is transmitted to the Ministry of Justice’s Nationality Service for formal review.
7. Wait for the ministerial decision. The Minister of Justice is required by law to grant or refuse naturalisation within eight months of the application being submitted. Naturalisation comes into effect on the date of the ministerial order, and applicants are normally informed by post. You can also track updates to your application through your personal profile on Guichet.lu, where the “Nationality” status may be updated before the postal notification arrives.
8. Take the oath of allegiance. Following a positive decision, you must take an oath of allegiance to Luxembourg to complete the naturalisation process. Upon doing so, you will be issued a naturalisation certificate confirming your Luxembourgish citizenship.

You may also be entitled to a reimbursement of fees paid for the language test and approved language courses. Applications for reimbursement are made to the Ministry of Justice and are subject to certain conditions. Importantly, claims for reimbursement can only be submitted after you have lodged your nationality application with the civil registrar.

What tests, interviews, or ceremonies are required as part of the citizenship process in Luxembourg?

The Sproochentest (language test)

The Sproochentest occupies a central role in the Luxembourg citizenship process. This mandatory oral examination in Luxembourgish is a compulsory element of most nationality applications. While the path to citizenship encompasses various legal and administrative stages, it is the Sproochentest that establishes a candidate’s capacity to engage meaningfully with the national language in everyday situations.

The test evaluates oral expression at A2 level and oral comprehension at B1 level. There is no written component whatsoever — the examination is focused entirely on spoken communication and listening, reflecting the government’s view that future citizens should be capable of participating in real-life interactions conducted in Luxembourgish. By way of context, the combined A2/B1 requirement is somewhat less demanding than the B1 standard for both written and spoken English required for naturalisation in the United Kingdom, although Luxembourgish is considerably less widely taught, which can make adequate preparation more difficult to secure.

The examination lasts approximately 15 minutes and is conducted before two assessors — one acting as moderator and one as observer. It is divided into two sections. In the first, the candidate selects one of two offered topics and answers the examiner’s questions on it. In the second, the candidate chooses one image from a selection of three and provides a description of it.

A minimum score of 50% in the speaking component is required to pass. A mark below 50% in speaking may be offset by the listening score — the candidate still passes if the arithmetic mean of both component scores reaches or exceeds 50% of the total possible mark.

If a physical or mental condition prevents you from learning Luxembourgish, you may submit a request to the Minister of Justice for exemption from the language test. This request must be accompanied by a medical certificate issued by a specialist physician.

The “Vivre ensemble” civic course

This course is provided free of charge and is available in English. It is structured across three thematic modules: the fundamental rights of citizens (3 sessions of 2 hours each); state and municipal institutions in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (6 sessions of 2 hours each); and the history of Luxembourg and European integration (3 sessions of 2 hours each). Candidates may choose to attend the full course or sit a standalone examination. Those who hold a certificate of participation in the citizenship modules taken as part of a Welcome and Integration Contract are exempt from the module covering Luxembourg’s history and European integration.

Reduced requirements for long-term residents

Individuals who have been lawfully resident in Luxembourg for more than 20 years may, under certain conditions, be exempted from both the Sproochentest and the Vivre ensemble examination. In lieu of these requirements, they must attend a minimum of 24 hours of Luxembourgish language classes.

Oath of allegiance

Once the Minister of Justice issues a favourable decision, the applicant must complete an oath of allegiance before the naturalisation process is finalised. This is a formal ceremony rather than an interview or assessment, and no further tests are conducted at this point. The taking of the oath marks the moment at which citizenship formally comes into effect and the naturalisation certificate is issued.

What are the benefits of citizenship in Luxembourg?

Upon naturalisation, an individual gains all the civil and political rights that accompany Luxembourgish nationality. For those who have previously held permanent residence or a long-stay visa, acquiring citizenship substantially broadens the rights and entitlements available to them.

EU citizenship and freedom of movement

As a member state of the European Union, Luxembourg confers EU citizenship on all its nationals under EU law. This brings with it rights of free movement throughout the EU, including the right to live, work, study, and retire in any EU member state. Luxembourg nationals may also vote in European Parliament elections. For those who wish to pursue opportunities across multiple European countries, this benefit is particularly significant.

Passport strength

A Luxembourg passport is among the most powerful travel documents in the world, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries. Holding it confers the same civil and political rights as any other Luxembourg national, unrestricted rights to reside and work within the Grand Duchy, access to the EU labour market, and freedom of movement across the European Union. The Henley Passport Index consistently places the Luxembourg passport among the five strongest globally.

Voting and political participation

Luxembourg citizens are entitled to vote and stand for election in national elections, as well as to participate in European Parliament elections and other EU-wide democratic processes. This level of political engagement is not available to non-citizen residents, who are limited to participating in local elections only. Citizenship therefore opens the door to a far greater degree of democratic involvement in both Luxembourg and the broader EU.

Permanent status and generational benefits

Unlike permanent residence, which is subject to renewal conditions, citizenship is granted for life. A Luxembourg citizen may live and work freely not only in the Grand Duchy but across all EU member states, benefit from comprehensive social protections, and exercise full electoral rights. Citizenship may also be passed on to children, ensuring that its benefits extend to future generations.

Access to public sector employment

Certain positions in Luxembourg’s public sector and government — particularly roles involving the exercise of public authority — are restricted to Luxembourg citizens or, in accordance with EU law, citizens of any EU member state. Holding Luxembourgish citizenship therefore expands employment possibilities in the public sector both domestically and across other EU countries.

Does Luxembourg allow dual citizenship, or will you have to renounce your existing nationality?

Since 1 January 2009, Luxembourg has embraced the principle of dual nationality, permitting individuals to become Luxembourgish citizens while keeping their original citizenship intact. This sets Luxembourg apart from countries such as Germany — which allows dual nationality only in limited circumstances — or Austria, where applicants are generally required to renounce their prior citizenship upon naturalisation.

Applicants are under no obligation to give up their original nationality when acquiring Luxembourg citizenship, and this freedom applies across all routes — naturalisation, option declaration, and reclamation alike. It is therefore entirely possible to hold Luxembourgish citizenship concurrently with one or more other nationalities.

There is, however, an important caveat to bear in mind: while Luxembourg accepts and endorses the principle of multiple citizenship, your country of origin may not. Some countries automatically withdraw their citizens’ nationality when those individuals voluntarily adopt another citizenship. It is therefore strongly advisable to verify your home country’s rules on the matter before proceeding with your application, consulting either a qualified immigration adviser or the relevant authorities in your country of origin.

A Luxembourg citizen aged 18 or over may voluntarily renounce their citizenship at any time and at no cost, provided that doing so would not leave them stateless. Luxembourg will never take any action that renders a citizen without any nationality.

How long does it typically take to become a citizen of Luxembourg?

The total time required to obtain citizenship depends on the route followed. For standard naturalisation, the qualifying residency period alone is five years, but when language preparation, civic education requirements, and administrative procedures are factored in, the full journey typically extends well beyond that baseline.

The Minister of Justice is legally required to issue a decision within eight months of the naturalisation application being submitted (as of 2025). While no strictly regulated minimum processing period exists, the realistic timeframe in practice is typically between six and ten months. Between 2022 and 2024, the commonly cited average hovered around eight months, though a surge in applications during that period led to some delays extending up to 12 months.

Overall, it is uncommon for the process to conclude in under six months — applicants should budget for approximately one year from the point of submission to receiving a passport, accounting for post-decision administrative formalities. Since processing times are liable to change, consulting the Ministry of Justice website for the latest information is always advisable.

If an applicant is the subject of criminal proceedings in Luxembourg or abroad, the application may be suspended until those proceedings are concluded. This can add a significant and unpredictable delay to the overall timeline, and individuals in this position should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

What are the main reasons an application for citizenship in Luxembourg might be refused?

Before committing time and resources to the application process, it is important to understand the grounds on which an application may be rejected. The most frequent reasons for refusal include the following:

• Criminal record. An applicant must not have received an immediate custodial sentence of 12 months or more, or a suspended custodial sentence of 24 months or more, in any jurisdiction, where that sentence was not fully served within the fifteen years preceding the application.
• False declarations or fraudulent conduct. Luxembourgish nationality will be refused if the applicant has provided false information, withheld material facts, or acted fraudulently during the procedure. Where fraud or false statements are established, the cancellation of an option declaration is accompanied by a prohibition on initiating any naturalisation, option, or reclamation procedure for 15 years.
• Inadequate or broken residency. Failure to demonstrate the minimum five-year residency period, or an inability to show that the final year was uninterrupted, will result in the application being rejected or returned for correction.
• Unmet language or civic knowledge requirements. Applicants who have not passed the Sproochentest and who have not completed or passed the Vivre ensemble course prior to submitting their application will not satisfy the statutory conditions for naturalisation.
• Incomplete application documentation. If required documents are absent, the commune will formally request them, and the applicant has three months to supply the missing items. Failure to do so within this period may prevent the application from progressing.
• Ongoing criminal proceedings. An application may be placed on hold in cases where the applicant is the subject of criminal proceedings in Luxembourg or in another country.

Is there an appeals process?

If an application is refused, the applicant may petition the administrative tribunal to overturn the decision within three months of receiving formal notification of the refusal. The appeal must be brought by a lawyer authorised to practise before the courts. Given the short time window, obtaining specialist legal advice promptly upon receiving a refusal is strongly recommended.

Where can you find reliable, up-to-date information about citizenship in Luxembourg?

Official government sources are the only authoritative reference for current requirements, fees, and procedural details. Requirements, deadlines, and fees are subject to change — sometimes substantially — and information published on third-party websites, including this article, may not reflect the most recent developments. Always confirm the specifics of your application directly with the relevant official bodies before proceeding.

• Guichet.lu — Citizenship section: Luxembourg’s central government information portal. Contains comprehensive guidance on all acquisition routes, required documentation, eligibility decision tools, and application forms for naturalisation, option, and reclamation procedures.
• Ministry of Justice — Luxembourgish Nationality: The Ministry of Justice’s Nationality Service (Service de l’Indigénat) is responsible for assessing and deciding on citizenship applications. For enquiries about entitlement to Luxembourg nationality, contact the Infoline Nationalité of the Ministry of Justice: within Luxembourg, call 8002 1000 (toll-free). The infoline is available Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00.
• Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL): The INLL is responsible for administering the Sproochentest. Visit the INLL website to register for the examination, view available test dates, and locate preparatory courses.
• Ministry of Education — Citizenship Courses and Exams: Provides full details on the Vivre ensemble course, the standalone civic examination, and the 24-hour language course requirement applicable to long-term residents.

Frequently asked questions

Do children born in Luxembourg automatically get Luxembourg citizenship?

Nationality is granted automatically to a child born in Luxembourg whose parent was also born in Luxembourg, even if that parent does not themselves hold Luxembourg citizenship, and to a child born in Luxembourg to parents who are stateless or incapable of passing on their own nationality. Additionally, a child born in Luxembourg to foreign parents — neither of whom was born there — acquires Luxembourg citizenship automatically upon turning 18, provided at least one parent was continuously resident in Luxembourg during the 12 months before the birth and the child has lived continuously in Luxembourg during the five years immediately preceding their 18th birthday. Children of a Luxembourg citizen parent acquire citizenship automatically at birth regardless of the country in which they are born.

Can Luxembourg citizenship be lost or revoked?

A person who acquired Luxembourg citizenship through naturalisation, option, or reclamation may be stripped of that citizenship if it is established that they obtained it through false declarations or a marriage of convenience, provided that doing so would not render them stateless. A Luxembourg citizen aged 18 or over may also choose to voluntarily renounce their citizenship at any time and at no cost, as long as renunciation would not leave them stateless. Citizenship acquired by birth through descent cannot be forcibly revoked.

What happens to my citizenship application if I move abroad during the process?

Relocating abroad after submitting your application but before a decision has been issued can put your case at risk, as continuous residency is a fundamental requirement. If you anticipate being away temporarily or need to move during the review period, you should inform the civil registrar and the Ministry of Justice’s Nationality Service without delay. A prolonged absence could break your qualifying residency. If an applicant is based abroad before applying, option applications must be directed to the civil registrar of Luxembourg City — but this relates to applicants already living outside Luxembourg at the time of application, not those who relocate after submitting.

Does Luxembourg have a citizenship by investment programme?

No direct citizenship-by-investment route exists in Luxembourg. However, the Grand Duchy does operate a Residence by Investment programme, which enables high-net-worth individuals and investors to secure a residence permit. While this does not lead directly to citizenship or a passport, it may establish the residency foundation that eventually qualifies an individual for naturalisation after a sufficient number of years of lawful residence.

Are minor children included in a parent’s naturalisation application?

Minor children of a parent who is granted citizenship are automatically conferred Luxembourg nationality alongside them, so there is no need to file separate applications for children when a parent is naturalised. Under option procedures, minor children of an adult who acquires nationality by option are similarly included in the option declaration and receive nationality at the same time as their parent.

What level of Luxembourgish do I need for citizenship?

Citizenship applicants are required to pass the Sproochentest administered by the Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL). The examination evaluates oral expression at A2 level and oral comprehension at B1 level. There is no written component to the test. If a physical or mental health condition prevents you from learning Luxembourgish, you may request an exemption from the Minister of Justice, supported by a certificate from a specialist physician.

Can I apply for citizenship if I have a criminal record?

Not all criminal records result in disqualification, but certain convictions do. An applicant must not have received an immediate custodial sentence of 12 months or more, or a suspended custodial sentence of 24 months or more, in any country, where that sentence was not fully served within the fifteen years before the application. Minor offences that did not give rise to such sentences will not necessarily prevent an application, but if you have any doubt about how your record might affect your eligibility, seeking legal advice before applying is strongly recommended.

Can I keep my Luxembourg citizenship if I later acquire another nationality?

Since 1 January 2009, Luxembourg has permitted multiple citizenship, and there is no impediment to acquiring additional nationalities after becoming a Luxembourg citizen. Luxembourg will not revoke your citizenship on the grounds that you have taken on another nationality. However, the other country’s laws may have their own conditions or restrictions — always verify the position with the relevant foreign authority before proceeding.

Is there a fee to apply for Luxembourg naturalisation?

No state fee is charged for the naturalisation application itself in Luxembourg. That said, assembling the required supporting documents may involve costs imposed by the issuing bodies — communes may levy a municipal tax for preparing civil status records, for example, and foreign authorities may charge for criminal record extracts. The Sproochentest registration fee is set at €75 as of 2025, and reimbursement may be available. Check the current details on the official Guichet.lu website.

Does my Luxembourg citizenship pass on to my children born outside Luxembourg?

Nationality is automatically conferred on any child of a Luxembourg citizen parent, regardless of where the birth takes place. Once citizenship has been obtained, it is transmissible to future generations, meaning that children born anywhere in the world to a Luxembourg citizen parent will themselves hold Luxembourg citizenship from birth, irrespective of the other parent’s nationality.