Immigration & mobility
Acquiring Luxembourg citizenship
Luxembourg citizenship is acquired mainly through naturalisation, which as a general rule requires five years of lawful residence, passing the Luxembourgish language assessment at level A2 (oral comprehension) and attending the civic instruction courses. Other routes exist (option, recovery). The firm guides you towards the appropriate procedure.
Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.
Several paths lead to Luxembourg citizenship depending on your background (length of residence, descent, former nationality). The right choice speeds up and secures the process.
Cerno Law Firm identifies the fastest route for your situation and prepares the file.
The need
You reside in Luxembourg and wish to become a citizen.
The conditions (residence, language, civic knowledge) and the applicable route vary according to your background.
The risk
A file rejected because a condition is not met, a procedure started on the wrong route, time wasted.
A poorly chosen procedure needlessly delays the acquisition.
How we help
Analysis of the applicable route (naturalisation, option, recovery), verification of the conditions and preparation of the file.
Advice on the language assessment and the residence documents.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Apply for naturalisation after 5 years of residence.
- Recover Luxembourg nationality through descent.
- Acquire nationality by option.
- Prepare for the language assessment and the civic instruction.
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
- • Proof of lawful residence
- • A2 pass certificate and civic instruction courses
- • Civil status and, where applicable, proof of descent
Deliverables
- • Acquisition route identified
- • Citizenship file prepared
- • Follow up of the procedure
Indicative timing
Variable depending on the route and on the completeness of the file; the firm plans the prerequisites (language, civic knowledge).
Announced fixed fee
Depending on the route of acquisition and the complexity of the background.
A law firm, supported by digital tools
Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar; its digital tools only simplify information gathering, qualification of the matter and tracking of requests, never replacing the lawyer's advice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many years of residence are required for naturalisation?
As a general rule, five years of lawful residence in Luxembourg, the last of which must be uninterrupted before the application.
Do I need to speak Luxembourgish?
Naturalisation in principle requires passing the Luxembourgish language assessment (level A2 in oral comprehension, A1 in oral expression) and attending the "Living Together" courses.
Can I keep my original nationality?
Luxembourg allows dual nationality; you should nevertheless check the rules of your country of origin.
Member of
Affiliations & réseaux professionnels
Free guide · PDF
The practical guide to secure your next step
Checklists, key steps and points to watch, prepared by the firm. Get it instantly, no strings attached.
- The key steps, explained simply
- The documents to prepare
- The common mistakes to avoid
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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
Professional directories, business press and legal publications where Cerno Law Firm and Maître Cora Maglo are referenced.
Let’s talk about your matter
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