Immigration
Luxembourg naturalisation: conditions, language and procedure for becoming a Luxembourg citizen
Quick answer
Naturalisation is one of the routes to acquiring Luxembourg nationality. It requires five years of lawful residence (the last year of which must be uninterrupted), the Sproochentest (oral expression A2, listening comprehension B1) and participation in the 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course or passing the exam on that course. Luxembourg allows dual nationality. The application is made in person before the civil registrar of the commune of residence. An immigration lawyer secures the file.
Luxembourg nationality can be acquired by several routes: by descent, by birth, by option and by naturalisation, and a former Luxembourg national may also recover it. Naturalisation, open to foreign residents, requires several general conditions to be met: five years of lawful residence in Luxembourg (the last year of which must be uninterrupted), command of Luxembourgish evidenced by the Sproochentest (oral expression A2, listening comprehension B1), and participation in the 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course or passing the corresponding exam. Luxembourg allows dual nationality, making it possible to keep one's nationality of origin. The application is made in person before the civil registrar of the commune of residence, who forwards it to the Minister of Justice. The precise conditions are set out on Guichet.lu. An immigration lawyer supports the preparation of the file.
In short
- Luxembourg nationality is acquired by descent, birth, option or naturalisation.
- Naturalisation requires five years of lawful residence in Luxembourg, the last year of which must be uninterrupted.
- A Luxembourgish language test (Sproochentest) is required: oral expression at level A2, listening comprehension at level B1.
- The applicant must have participated in the 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course or passed the exam on that course, unless exempt.
- Luxembourg allows dual nationality.
- The application is made in person before the civil registrar of the commune of residence.
- The detailed, up-to-date conditions are set out on Guichet.lu.
| Route | Who it is for | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Descent | Child of a Luxembourg parent | Transmission through the family relationship |
| Birth in Luxembourg | People born in the territory, subject to conditions | Link with the country of birth |
| Option | Categories with a particular link to the country | Procedure with its own conditions |
| Naturalisation | Foreign residents not falling under the other cases | Lasting roots and integration |
Luxembourg naturalisation: what does it involve?
Quick answer. Naturalisation is one of the routes to Luxembourg nationality, open to persons of foreign nationality who reside in Luxembourg. It allows a foreign resident to become a Luxembourg citizen by meeting a set of conditions laid down by the law on Luxembourg nationality.
Naturalisation differs from the other ways of acquiring nationality, such as descent (transmission by a Luxembourg parent) or option (a simplified procedure reserved for certain categories of person). It is the main route for a foreign adult who has settled in Luxembourg on a lasting basis.
Becoming a Luxembourg citizen confers the rights attached to citizenship, including the right to vote and access to certain positions. As Luxembourg allows dual nationality, naturalisation does not, in principle, require a person to renounce their nationality of origin.
The routes to acquiring Luxembourg nationality
Luxembourg nationality can be acquired in several ways, provided for by law. Descent passes nationality to a child one of whose parents is a Luxembourg national. Birth in Luxembourg may, under certain conditions, open access to nationality.
Option is an acquisition procedure reserved for specified categories of people with a particular link to Luxembourg (for example certain spouses, certain people born in the country or who went to school there). It rests on its own conditions, often more flexible than naturalisation.
Naturalisation, lastly, is the route open to foreign residents who do not fall under the other cases. Each route has distinct conditions: it is essential to identify the one that corresponds to your situation before taking any step. An immigration lawyer helps to determine the appropriate procedure.
The residence requirement
Naturalisation requires an effective and lasting presence in Luxembourg. The law requires five years of lawful residence in the territory, a condition that reflects the applicant's genuine roots in Luxembourg society.
The law requires five years of lawful residence in Luxembourg, the last year of which must be uninterrupted, at the date of the application. The precise arrangements (periods taken into account, absences) are set by law and detailed on Guichet.lu, which should be consulted to find out the requirements in force.
The residence requirement is a point to check carefully in advance: a file lodged when the required duration has not been reached cannot succeed. An examination of the personal situation makes it possible to determine whether and when the application can be submitted.
The Luxembourgish language test
Command of the Luxembourgish language is a central condition of naturalisation. The applicant must show a level of language proficiency evidenced by passing the Sproochentest (Luxembourgish language test).
This test covers oral expression, at level A2, and listening comprehension, at level B1. The arrangements for the examination are laid down in the regulations. Language courses are available to prepare for this test, and adjustments or exemptions may exist in certain particular situations.
This language requirement reflects the importance of Luxembourgish as an element of integration. It is advisable to check on Guichet.lu the examination dates and any exemptions that apply to your situation.
The 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course
In addition to language, naturalisation requires participation in the 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course or passing an exam on its content. This course aims to familiarise the applicant with fundamental rights, the institutions and the workings of the Luxembourg State.
The aim is to ensure that the future citizen has a basic knowledge of how the country whose nationality they wish to acquire is organised. The content, duration and validation arrangements of this course are defined by the regulations.
As with the language test, exemptions may be provided for in certain cases, in particular where the applicant has completed part of their schooling in Luxembourg. The precise conditions and any alternatives are set out on Guichet.lu.
Dual nationality in Luxembourg
Luxembourg allows dual nationality. This means that a person who acquires Luxembourg nationality by naturalisation does not, in principle, have to renounce their nationality of origin.
This principle is an important advantage: it makes it possible to keep legal ties with one's country of origin (rights, possible transmission to one's children) while enjoying Luxembourg citizenship. It makes the process easier for many residents attached to their nationality of origin.
However, the rules of the country of origin should be checked: some states do not allow dual nationality and may draw consequences from the acquisition of a foreign nationality. This point is assessed case by case, in light of the law of the other state concerned.
Lodging the application before the civil registrar
The application for naturalisation is made in person before the civil registrar of the commune of the applicant's habitual residence, who signs it personally (signature by proxy is not accepted). The commune is thus the entry point of the procedure.
The file comprises a set of supporting documents: civil status documents, proof of residence, a certificate of having passed the language test and a certificate of participation in the 'Living Together' course or of passing the exam, among others. The civil registrar checks that the file is complete and forwards it to the Minister of Justice for processing.
The procedure has several stages, and for it to succeed all the conditions must be met. The Minister of Justice rules within eight months of receipt of the complete file. The exact list of documents and the up-to-date course of the procedure are detailed on Guichet.lu. Support makes it possible to prepare a complete file and to avoid rejections for formal defects.
Building a solid file: the value of support
Naturalisation combines several conditions (residence, language, 'Living Together' course, civil status documents) which must be proved together at the time of the application. An incomplete file, or one lodged prematurely, exposes the applicant to rejection and to additional delays.
Legal support makes it possible to assess eligibility in advance, to identify the most suitable route of acquisition (naturalisation or option), to gather the required supporting documents and to check the position as regards dual nationality. It is particularly useful in complex situations: foreign civil status documents, a discontinuous residence history, or possible exemptions.
The immigration lawyers of Cerno Law Firm support residents in their naturalisation process, from the analysis of eligibility to the preparation of the file lodged with the commune. The guide to immigration in Luxembourg complements this information.
| Requirement | What it covers | Where to check the details |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | Five years of lawful residence, the last year of which must be uninterrupted | Guichet.lu |
| Luxembourgish language | Sproochentest: oral expression A2, listening comprehension B1 | Guichet.lu |
| 'Living Together' course | Participation in the course or passing the exam on institutions and rights | Guichet.lu |
| Dual nationality | Keeping one's nationality of origin, in principle | Guichet.lu and the law of the country of origin |
| Lodging the application | In person before the civil registrar | Commune of residence |
Depending on your profile
For residents settled in Luxembourg
Naturalisation is the main route for a foreign resident who has settled in Luxembourg on a lasting basis. It requires in particular five years of lawful residence (the last year of which must be uninterrupted), passing the Sproochentest (oral expression A2, listening comprehension B1) and participation in the 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course or passing the corresponding exam. Luxembourg allows dual nationality, with no obligation in principle to renounce one's nationality of origin.
For families
Several routes to acquiring nationality coexist: descent, birth, option and naturalisation, as well as recovery for a former Luxembourg national. Depending on the family situation, an option procedure may be more suitable than naturalisation. It is useful to identify the route that corresponds to each family member before starting the procedures with the commune.
For dual-national applicants
Luxembourg allows dual nationality: naturalisation does not, in principle, require you to give up your nationality of origin. It nevertheless remains necessary to check the rules of the country of origin, as some states do not allow dual nationality. This point is assessed case by case in light of the law of the other state.
Official sources
Update history
- : Lodging of the application clarified (in person before the civil registrar of the commune) and the 'Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg' course or exam substituted for the 'civic instruction course'.