Immigration & Mobility
Entrepreneur and startup founder visa in Luxembourg
The firm assists third-country nationals who wish to start a business or carry out a self-employed activity in Luxembourg: residence permit for self-employed workers, viability file, business plan and setup.
Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.
For a third-country national, starting a startup or carrying out a self-employed activity in Luxembourg requires a suitable residence permit. The administration assesses the viability of the project, its economic coherence and the founder's resources.
Cerno Law Firm prepares and secures the entrepreneur's immigration file, in conjunction with the legal structuring of the company. The firm advises the project holder; it is not the administration and does not guarantee the decision, which lies with the competent authorities.
The need
As a third-country national, you want to start an innovative business or carry out a self-employed activity in Luxembourg and obtain the corresponding residence permit.
Without a solid viability file and coherent structuring, the application for a residence permit for self-employed workers is fragile.
The risk
An insufficient business plan, incorrect qualification of the activity, poorly justified financial resources, inconsistency between the company created and the project presented.
A poorly built file leads to a refusal or to delays, and jeopardises the setup of the entrepreneur and their family.
How the firm acts
Qualification of the project and of the appropriate residence permit, preparation of the viability file and the business plan, coordination with the incorporation of the company and the setup, monitoring of the application with the authorities.
Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar; its digital tools only simplify information gathering and tracking of the matter, never replacing the lawyer's advice, who builds and defends the application.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Obtain a residence permit for self-employed workers.
- Set up a startup founder and structure their company.
- Prepare a business plan acceptable to the administration.
- Coordinate the immigration of the entrepreneur and their family.
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
- • Description of the project and intended business plan
- • Evidence of qualifications and experience
- • Financial resources and company structure
- • Civil status and travel documents
Deliverables
- • Residence permit file for self-employed workers
- • Coordination with the incorporation and structuring of the company
- • Support with the application through to the decision
Indicative timing
Preparation of the file follows the gathering of the supporting documents; the processing times then lie with the Luxembourg immigration authorities.
Stated fees
Consultation from EUR 175 excl. VAT; preparation of the file on a tailored quote depending on the complexity of the project. Everything is quoted before any engagement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is there a specific startup visa in Luxembourg?
In practice, the business founder or startup founder falls under the residence permit for self-employed workers, assessed according to the viability of the project. The firm qualifies the route suited to your situation.
What criteria does the administration examine?
Mainly the economic viability of the project, its coherence, the founder's qualifications and resources. The firm builds the file to meet these requirements.
Does the firm also incorporate the company?
Yes, the firm coordinates the immigration application with the incorporation and structuring of the Luxembourg company, for a coherent file.
Does Cerno guarantee that the permit will be obtained?
No. The decision lies with the competent authorities. Cerno is a law firm that builds and defends the application; the digital tools only serve to track the matter.
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Affiliations & réseaux professionnels
Free guide · PDF
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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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