Apply for an EU Blue Card in Luxembourg
Move to Luxembourg for highly qualified employment. A third-country national needs a qualifying job and salary, must obtain a temporary authorisation to stay before arriving, and then applies for the residence permit within three months of entry.
- Timeline
- Roughly 8-12 weeks for the authorisation, then the in-country steps
- Cost
- Application and residence-permit fees, plus document legalisation and translation
- Steps
- 6 stages
Deadline — read this first
The authorisation to stay must be obtained before entering Luxembourg; the residence permit must be applied for within three months of arrival.
Who can file
Third-country nationals with a highly qualified job offer of at least six months meeting the salary threshold.
Step by step
- 1
Secure a qualifying job offer
Obtain a contract for highly qualified employment of at least six months with a salary at or above the annually set Blue Card threshold.
- 2
Apply for the temporary authorisation to stay
Before travelling, send the application for an authorisation to stay to the Directorate of Immigration, with the contract, qualifications and identity documents.
- 3
Obtain a visa D if required
Once the authorisation is granted, nationals who require a visa apply for a type-D long-stay visa at the Luxembourg (or representing) consulate.
- 4
Enter Luxembourg and declare arrival
After entering, make the arrival declaration at the local commune within the required period.
- 5
Complete the medical check and biometrics
Undergo the medical examination and provide biometric data for the residence permit.
- 6
Apply for the residence permit
Within three months of arrival, apply to the Directorate of Immigration for the EU Blue Card residence permit, which is then issued for the authorised period.
Documents you must produce
- Valid passport
- Highly qualified employment contract meeting the salary threshold
- Recognised higher-education qualification or equivalent experience
- Proof of the arrival declaration at the commune
- Medical certificate and biometric data
Common mistakes that sink cases
- Travelling before the authorisation to stay is granted, which invalidates the process.
- Missing the three-month deadline to apply for the residence permit after arrival.
- A salary below the Blue Card threshold, which disqualifies the application.
- Incomplete legalisation or recognition of the qualification.
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