Home » Luxembourg » Luxembourg – Work Permits and Working Legally

Luxembourg – Work Permits and Working Legally

Work Permits for Expats in Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small, prosperous country in the heart of Europe that is home to many multinational corporations and a diverse range of industries. To work legally in Luxembourg, expats must obtain a work permit. In this article, we will provide information on the types of work permits available, the application process, and the required documents.

Do Expats Need a Work Permit to Work Legally in Luxembourg?

Yes, expats need a work permit to work legally in Luxembourg. The work permit is a legal requirement for all foreign nationals who wish to work in the country.

The employer is responsible for applying for the work permit on behalf of the expat employee. The employer must provide evidence of the expat’s qualifications and experience, as well as evidence that no qualified Luxembourgish national is available to fill the position.

Types of Work Permits for Expats in Luxembourg

There are several types of work permits available for expats in Luxembourg. The type of work permit required will depend on the nature of the work to be performed. The most common types of work permits for expats in Luxembourg are:

  • Short-Term Work Permit: This type of work permit is for expats who will be working in Luxembourg for a limited period of time, such as for a specific project or assignment. The permit is valid for up to 90 days and is non-renewable.
  • Long-Term Work Permit: This type of work permit is for expats who will be working in Luxembourg for an extended period of time. The permit is valid for up to two years and is renewable.
  • EU Blue Card: This type of work permit is for highly skilled expats who will be working in Luxembourg. The permit is valid for up to four years and allows the expat to work in any EU member state.
  • Student Work Permit: This type of work permit is for students enrolled in a higher education program in Luxembourg. The permit allows the student to work up to 15 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer.

Procedure to Apply for a Work Permit in Luxembourg

The procedure to apply for a work permit in Luxembourg involves several steps, including:

  1. The employer must submit an application for a work permit on behalf of the expat employee to the Luxembourg National Employment Agency (ADEM).
  2. ADEM will review the application and make a decision within 2-3 months.
  3. If the application is approved, the employer must obtain the work permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Documents Required to Apply for a Work Permit in Luxembourg

The documents required to apply for a work permit in Luxembourg are:


Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.


  • Completed application form
  • Copy of the expat’s passport
  • Proof of the employer’s registration with the Social Security Administration
  • Proof of the employer’s registration with the Business Register
  • Proof of the expat’s qualifications and experience
  • Job description
  • Evidence that no qualified Luxembourgish national is available to fill the position

All documents must be in French, German or Luxembourgish. Documents in other languages must be officially translated.

Costs of Applying for a Work Permit in Luxembourg

The cost of applying for a work permit in Luxembourg depends on the type of permit and the duration of the permit. The fees can range from €80 for a short-term work permit to €100 for a long-term work permit.

Where to Find Reliable Information on Working Legally in Luxembourg

Expats can find reliable information on working legally in Luxembourg from the following sources:


Latest Videos

Expat Focus

848 subscribers

Move abroad easily with Expat Focus.

Expat Focus
How easy is it for a foreigner to find a job in Denmark, if they haven’t been fortunate enough to line up something for when they arrive? What sectors are they most likely to find work in, and what are some need-to-knows about Danish workplace culture? My guest to answer all of these questions and more is Kate Dahl, a career consultant for internationals in Denmark.

How easy is it for a foreigner to find a job in Denmark, if they haven’t been fortunate enough to line up something for when they arrive? What sectors are they most likely to find work in, and what are some need-to-knows about Danish workplace culture? My guest to answer all of these questions and more is Kate Dahl, a career consultant for internationals in Denmark.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_WxdwaxP4LIg

Expat Careers In Denmark

Expat Focus 25 September 2023 11:00 am

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang. Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

Writer and Editor Kirsten Raccuia is known for her Sand in My Curls blog, which until recently, was all about her expat life in Malaysia. We last spoke at the height of the global pandemic, when she and her husband were closing in on a decade in Penang.

Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re in a new country, Mexico. I’m chatting with Kirsten again to find out what factors influenced their decision to move, and why Mexico? And what it was like to close the Malaysia chapter of their life abroad.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_2iutaBgsCRk

Moving From Malaysia To Mexico

Expat Focus 15 August 2023 3:23 pm

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible? My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia. Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

A topic that comes up quite often in our Facebook groups is moving abroad with children. What’s the ideal age? Especially if they're going to need to learn a new language? What about the best time of year to move? And how do you make the assimilation process, from learning new cultural norms to making new friends, as smooth and enjoyable as possible?

My guest today is someone who can speak from experience. Sharon Green is the founding editor of online publication SHE DEFINED. And in 1998, just before she turned 12, Sharon migrated with her family from Durban in South Africa to Melbourne in Australia.

Sharon’s going to share her experience of being a third culture kid, and how it has shaped her sense of belonging as an adult.

YouTube Video UCB21b-C4O2aXm7H18_GsXMQ_62EMRLnSni4

Growing Up As A Third Culture Kid In Australia

Expat Focus 26 July 2023 6:48 pm

Load More... Subscribe
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Important: No API Key Entered.

Many features are not available without adding an API Key. Please go to the YouTube Feed settings page to add an API key after following these instructions.