Immigration & Mobility
Business and HR immigration in Luxembourg
The firm assists companies and their HR teams with the recruitment and mobility of foreign talent in Luxembourg: work permits, EU Blue Card, intra-corporate transfer (ICT), posting and compliance.
Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.
Recruiting and bringing in talent from third countries is a major challenge for Luxembourg companies. Every international hire requires the right authorisation (employee, EU Blue Card, intra-corporate transfer) and rigorous HR compliance.
Cerno Law Firm advises employers and HR departments to secure their international hires, streamline mobility and stay compliant. The firm is the lawyer of the company; it is not the administration.
The need
As an employer or HR department, you recruit foreign talent and must secure their work and residence permits, as well as your compliance.
Without a clear process, international hires fall behind, expose the company and discourage candidates.
The risk
An unsuitable authorisation, an incomplete file, failure to meet the employer's obligations, poorly framed intra-group mobility, sanctions and recruitment delays.
Poorly managed HR immigration weakens the company's attractiveness and exposes it to compliance risks.
How the firm acts
Qualification of the appropriate authorisation (employee, EU Blue Card, ICT), preparation of the files, advice on the employer's obligations, structuring of an internal mobility process and monitoring of applications.
Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar; its digital tools only simplify information gathering and tracking of HR files, never replacing the lawyer's advice, who secures every hire.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Recruit talent from a third country (employee or EU Blue Card).
- Organise an intra-corporate transfer (ICT) to Luxembourg.
- Structure an international mobility process for HR.
- Secure the employer's immigration compliance.
Method
Our engagement process
- 1
Information intake
You describe your need via a structured form or an initial call. Our digital tools serve only to organise this information and save time.
- 2
Lawyer qualification
Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.
- 3
Transparent quote
You receive a clear fee proposal, a fixed fee or a range, before any engagement. Nothing is billed without your approval.
- 4
Legal work
The firm drafts, negotiates or litigates as required. Every deliverable is designed and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.
- 5
Tracking and delivery
You follow your matter transparently and receive your finalised documents with the explanations you need.
Documents required
- • Profile and role of the talent to be recruited
- • Group structure and mobility scheme where applicable
- • Existing employment contracts and HR policies
- • Civil status and qualification documents of the candidate
Deliverables
- • Qualification of authorisations and prepared files
- • Documented internal mobility process for HR
- • Support with applications through to the decision
Indicative timing
Preparation of the files is swift once the supporting documents are gathered; the processing times lie with the competent authorities.
Stated fees
Consultation from EUR 175 excl. VAT; HR support and files on a tailored quote, with flat fees available for recurring volumes. Everything is quoted before any engagement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which authorisation is needed to recruit talent from a third country?
Depending on the profile and the role: employee work permit, EU Blue Card for the highly qualified, or intra-corporate transfer (ICT). The firm qualifies the appropriate route.
Do you support HR departments with volumes?
Yes. The firm structures a mobility process and can offer flat fees for recurring international hires.
What are the employer's obligations?
They relate in particular to declaration, employment conditions and compliance. The firm advises the employer on meeting them and limiting risks.
Does Cerno process files automatically?
No. Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar. The files are secured by the lawyer; the digital tools only serve to organise information and tracking.
Member of
Affiliations & réseaux professionnels
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Choosing Cerno means choosing over 17 years of experience
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 7
- working languages
- 100+
- companies & SOPARFI structured
- 200+
- visas & residence permits obtained
- 170
- client nationalities served
- 300+
- due diligence reviews conducted
Around twenty M&A transactions supported · one of the best visa approval rates in Luxembourg.
Since 2009, we devote our expertise to your satisfaction: more than 85% of our clients renew their trust in us.
Our work
Representative matters, anonymised
Typical examples of engagements handled by the firm, presented in an anonymised and illustrative manner. Each matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.
A holding company and a residence permit, in a single process
Incorporation of a SOPARFI for a non-resident investor, combined with obtaining their residence permit. A single point of contact across both fronts.
Permit obtained in 6 weeksA similar matter? Companies & governanceFounders protected before the funding round
Structuring a shareholders’ agreement and governance for a young company with several founders, ahead of a funding round.
Shareholders’ agreement signed before the roundA similar matter? Debt recoveryA debt recovered across borders
Cross-border recovery of unpaid debts for an SME, through an order for payment and coordination with a foreign colleague.
Receivable recovered in full (100%)A similar matter? Employment lawAn executive defended before the Labour Tribunal
Supporting an executive in a contested dismissal, from strategy to representation at the hearing.
Case argued at the hearingA similar matter? ContractsA secured international distribution
Negotiating and securing an international framework distribution agreement, from liabilities through to the competent jurisdiction.
Competent jurisdiction securedA similar matter?Typical, anonymised examples, for illustration only. They do not prejudge the outcome of a matter, which depends on each situation.
Entrust my matter to the firmExpertise & authority
Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law
Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners
Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions
Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar
Support in 7 languages, clients of 170 nationalities
Testimonials
What our clients say
Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.Farshid Pourlatifi
J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.Nathan Wirtzfeld
Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.Tatiana
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The firm referenced and cited
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Let’s talk about your matter
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