Luxembourg draws skilled workers with its strong economy, high wages, and central EU spot. If you hold a non-EU passport, you need a work visa to start a job there. This guide covers every detail on work visa Luxembourg apply process, from types to common pitfalls. You’ll find clear steps, requirements, and tips based on official rules.
Expect a two-step setup: your employer handles the work permit first, then you get the visa. Processing runs 4 to 12 weeks, but high-demand jobs speed it up. Always check official sites for updates, as rules shift like the EU Blue Card salary bump to €63,408 gross yearly from early 2025.
1. Understand Types of Work Visas Available in Luxembourg
Luxembourg offers visas tied to job needs. Non-EU citizens target salaried roles, high-skill posts, or short gigs. Main options fit different careers.
The EU Blue Card suits highly qualified pros. It skips the local job hunt test. You need a degree or five years experience, plus a salary at least €63,408 gross per year. Valid up to four years, renewable. Families join with work rights right away.
Temporary stay authorization covers salaried jobs over three months. Employers prove no EU worker fits via a three-week ad. Good for finance, IT, or engineering. Short-term versions last up to a year; long-term go further.
Intra-company transfers help multinational staff move. Managers, specialists, or trainees qualify if posted from abroad after six to twelve months in the firm. Duration caps at three years for managers, one for others.
Young professional visas target trainees under 30. Seasonal ones fit agriculture or tourism, max nine months yearly.
Pick based on your role. See the EU portal on employed workers in Luxembourg for full breakdowns.
2. Check Who Qualifies for a Work Visa
Non-EU/EEA citizens lead the pack. EU folks work free. You need skills matching Luxembourg shortages like tech or finance.
Skilled workers shine with degrees or experience. Unskilled roles face tougher labor tests. Every applicant requires a job offer from a registered employer.
Minimum salary varies: €63,408 for Blue Card, market rate for others. Prove health insurance covers you. Show a clean criminal record, apostilled if needed.
Family reunites if you earn enough; spouses work without extra permits under Blue Card rules.
3. Review Employer Duties Before You Apply
Bosses kick off work visa Luxembourg apply. They run a labor market test, ad the job on ADEM for three weeks.
ADEM, the employment agency, green-lights hires. They check if locals or EU workers apply.
Draft a binding contract with Luxembourg law terms: hours, pay, notice. Register with social security.
4. Explore Application Locations
Apply from home country at a Luxembourg embassy or consulate. Use type D visa post-authorization.
In Schengen? Convert short-stay to work under rules. Pre-apply online via Guichet.lu for third-country salaried workers.
5. Step 1: Land a Solid Job Offer
Hunt jobs on ADEM or LinkedIn. Offer must match labor needs, last at least a year.
Verify employer: check trade registry, ADEM status.
- Confirm firm registration on RCS.lu.
- Review contract for salary, duties.
- Ensure it beats local averages.
6. Step 2: Collect ID Papers
Grab passport valid six months past stay.
Photos: 3.5×4.5cm, white background, recent.
Birth certificate, translated to French, German, or English, legalized.
7. Step 3: Show Your Skills
Submit diplomas, apostilled.
Experience letters from past bosses.
For regulated jobs, get licenses.
- Translate docs.
- Apostille via Hague.
- Match to job desc.
8. Step 4: Get Medical Clearance
Visit approved doc for exam: blood tests, x-ray.
No TB or risky ills. Valid three months.
9. Step 5: Prove Housing
Rental lease or owner letter.
State commune registration plan.
10. Step 6: Employer Files Work Permit
To Immigration Ministry. Forms list passport, CV, contract, ADEM cert.
11. Step 7: Await Authorization
7-15 days fast track, up to eight weeks standard. Email or post notice.
12. Step 8: Show Funds
Bank statements cover gaps. Offer salary counts.
13. Step 9: Fill Visa Form
Download from embassy site. Detail job, stay.
14. Step 10: Book Embassy Slot
Online booking, check waits.
15. Step 11: Give Biometrics
Fingerprints, photo at visit.
16. Step 12: Prep for Interview
Practice:
- Job details?
- Why Luxembourg?
- Ties home?
17. Step 13: Pay Fees
€80 type D. Cash or card.
18. Step 14: Hand in Full Pack
Checklist:
| Document | Copies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | 2 | All pages |
| Contract | 1 orig | Signed |
| ADEM cert | 1 orig | Recent |
| Diplomas | 2 | Translated |
| Medical | 1 | Valid |
19. Step 15: Track Progress
Guichet.lu tool or embassy portal.
20. Step 16: Get Decision
Approval: collect visa. Refusal? Appeal in one month.
21. Costs to Budget For
Visa €80. Translations €50/page. Medical €200. Apostille €20/doc. Embassy travel varies.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | €80 |
| Medical | €150-300 |
| Translations | €100-300 |
| Courier | €50 |
22. Timelines by Visa
Blue Card: 4-6 weeks. Salaried: 4-8 weeks. Seasonal: faster.
23. Arrival Tasks
Register commune in three days. Medical repeat. Residence card in weeks. Social security signup.
24. Pitfalls to Dodge
- Skip test: employer fails ad.
- Wrong translations.
- Old docs.
- No ADEM.
- Weak contract.
25. Speed Approval Tips
Target IT, finance. Prep early. Use agents like VFS if listed.
26. Renewal Basics
Apply three months early. Update docs, prove ongoing need.
27. Bring Family
Spouses, kids under 18. Blue Card eases work.
28. Fight Rejections
Appeal to minister in one month. Grounds: errors, new proof.
29. Key Resources
Guichet.lu main portal. ADEM site. Immigration Ministry.
30. FAQs
Job offer needed? Yes, always.
Change jobs? New permit.
2026 COVID rules? None now.
31. Sector Notes
Finance: high salaries easy. Tech: shortages help. Health: quals key.
32. Language Needs
English often enough, but French/German/German helps integration.
33. Post-Arrival Integration
Courses free if required. Civic training.
34. Taxes and Social
45% top tax. 25% social contributions.
35. Vs Other EU
Lux faster than Germany Blue Card. Netherlands stricter tests.
| Feature | Lux | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | €63k | €58k |
| Test | Some | Most |
36. Success Cases
Tech pro got Blue Card in five weeks via strong quals. Finance worker used ADEM fast track.
In summary, work visa Luxembourg apply demands employer lead and solid docs. Follow steps, hit shortages, succeed. Start with job hunt on ADEM today. Rules evolve, so verify on Guichet.lu. Good luck landing your Luxembourg role.

































