Immigration & mobility
Work permit in Luxembourg
A third country national who wishes to take up salaried employment in Luxembourg must obtain a residence permit for salaried workers. The procedure requires, in particular, a declaration of vacancy by the employer and an examination of the labour market. The firm steers the process on both the employee and the employer side.
Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.
The Luxembourg work permit links the employee and the employer: each has a role in the procedure, and a poorly coordinated file fails.
Cerno Law Firm coordinates the whole process (declaration of vacancy, authorisation, residence permit) for a secure hire.
The need
You want to work in Luxembourg, or to recruit an employee from outside the EU.
The procedure involves coordinated steps between the employer, the employee and the administration.
The risk
Refusal for lack of a declaration of vacancy, employment taken up without a permit (illegal work), delays that postpone the hire.
Working without authorisation exposes both employee and employer to penalties.
How we help
Framing of the procedure, declaration of vacancy, application for the authorisation and the residence permit, follow up.
Compliance advice for the employer.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Obtain a residence permit for salaried workers.
- Recruit a non-EU employee in compliance with the rules.
- Regularise an employment situation.
- Prepare a change of employer.
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
- • Contract or offer of employment
- • Degrees and professional supporting documents
- • Passport and civil status documents
Deliverables
- • Work permit procedure
- • Residence permit application
- • Administrative follow up
Indicative timing
Variable depending on the examination of the labour market and on the administration; a complete file limits the delays.
Announced fixed fee
Depending on the profile and the role (employee or employer).
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
Is an authorisation required before starting work?
Yes, the third country national must hold the permit authorising them to reside and work before taking up the position; working without a permit is illegal.
What is the declaration of vacancy?
A formality by which the employer declares the position to the ADEM, a preliminary step that allows the examination of the labour market before the authorisation.
Is the Blue Card a work permit?
It is a separate permit, reserved for highly qualified employment and often more advantageous. The firm guides you towards the appropriate permit.
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
Free diagnostic
Not sure where you stand? Get an answer in 2 minutes.
A few questions are enough to identify your need and the right legal answer, with no sign-up and no commitment.
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
They talk about us
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
Describe your situation: you receive an initial analysis and a transparent quote, with no obligation. One dedicated lawyer, from start to finish.