Nationals of the 28 European Union countries don’t need a visa to enter any Luxembourg, whether for a short or long stay. You are, however, subject to various registration requirements, particularly if you’re staying longer than 90 days.
Nationals of other countries may or may not be subject to visa requirements (welcome to the wonderful world of bureaucracy!). The embassy or consulate of the country you’re going to is usually the best source of information, but the regulations are complicated and subject to change, and consular officials aren’t always entirely au fait with the latest interpretations or nuances. Don’t be surprised if you receive confusing or even contradictory information from different officials, or if you’re asked to provide documents or information in addition to the general requirements listed here.
Luxembourg is a signatory of the Schengen agreement, which permits free movement within: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Each member nation retains the right to refuse to allow you to enter, even with a valid visa, for any number of reasons. However, unless you’re obviously carrying drugs or other contraband or act as though you may be smuggling in refugees or illegal immigrants, you probably won’t even have to slow down as you cross the various Schengen borders.
For visits of up to 90 days within any six month period, tourists from North and South America, most non-EU European countries and many Pacific Rim countries don’t require a visa. If you’re going to Luxembourg to conduct business or engage in a remunerated activity, even for a short period, you should check with the consulate to see whether some form of business visa or professional card is required. If you’re a non-EU resident staying in Luxembourg longer than 90 days, you must have a visa stamped in your passport before you enter the country and should apply in person to your local consulate or embassy long before leaving home.
Short-stay Visa: For those who require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, the most common type of visa issued is the Schengen visa. You must apply for the visa of the country that is your primary destination during your stay, i.e. either where you’ll be staying the longest or, in some cases, the country where you’ll enter the Schengen zone. Requirements for a Schengen visa vary slightly from country to country, but generally include: a passport valid at least three months past your intended departure date, an application form and one or more current photographs, proof of the purpose of your stay, confirmed lodging, sufficient funds to cover the costs of your stay and a return airline ticket. Processing the application can take a month or more, so plan accordingly.
Long-stay or Resident Visa: Nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland don’t require a long-stay visa for stays of over 90 days unless they’re planning to work or start a business. Citizens of all other non-EU countries must apply for a long-stay visa at the appropriate consulate or embassy in their country of residence and must have the visa stamped in their passport before travelling. Visas cannot be obtained or changed once you’re in Luxembourg.
To apply for a long-stay visa, you’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least three months beyond the first anniversary of your intended arrival date plus some or all of the following documents:
- a legalised birth certificate and translation for each member of your family;
- legalised copies of marriage or divorce certificates with translations, as applicable;
- a medical certificate from an approved doctor (the consulate or embassy will give you a list);
-
the completed application form(s);
passport-type photos (one to six or more, depending on the circumstances); - a work permit (if you’re planning to work) or evidence that your employer has applied for a work permit for you;
- evidence of eligibility to practise your trade in the country (if you’re self-employed, a journalist or in some other regulated profession) or a professional card, which serves as a work permit for some self-employed trades;
- a police report (sometimes called a ‘certificate of good conduct’);
- proof of financial resources (if you aren’t going to take up employment);
- proof of health insurance;
- if a student, evidence of admission from an approved educational establishment;
- if an au pair, a copy of your agreement with a host family.
If you require a visa to enter the country and attempt to do so without one, you’ll be refused entry. Note that Luxembourg generally requires you to have a work permit or evidence that your employer has applied for one on your behalf before you can even apply for a long-stay visa or residence permit (see below). If you’re in doubt as to whether you require a visa, enquire at the appropriate consulate before making any travel plans. Long-stay visa applications often take at least three months to be approved and can take much longer.
A long-stay visa is known as a provisional residence permit ( autorisation de séjour provisoire), which you must apply for at an embassy or consulate in your home country (or country of residence). The embassies and consulates of Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as some other Schengen countries, are usually able to issue long-stay visas for Luxembourg if there’s no Luxembourg diplomatic mission in your area.
This article is an extract from Living and Working in Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg.