How To Get Luxembourg Citizenship: Requirements, Benefits & Application Process

[Editor2]

Luxembourg continues to attract expatriates with its strong economy, excellent social welfare system, high levels of safety, and multicultural environment. With nearly half of its population composed of foreign residents, the Grand Duchy is one of the most international countries in Europe, officially recognizing three languages—German, French, and Luxembourgish.


Citizenship in Luxembourg offers not only the rights and protections of one of the EU’s most advanced member states, but also access to EU-wide mobility, employment, and residence rights. For many expatriates, it represents both long-term security and opportunities for future generations.

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Pathways to Luxembourg Citizenship​

Luxembourg law provides several routes to acquire citizenship, depending on individual circumstances.

1. Automatic Citizenship for Minors​

Children may acquire citizenship automatically in cases such as:

• When at least one biological or adoptive parent is Luxembourgish.
• When a child is born in Luxembourg and at least one parent was also born there.
• Other specific scenarios provided by nationality law.

2. Naturalisation​

Foreign adults (aged 18+) may apply for naturalisation after five years of legal residence in Luxembourg, provided they meet integration and good conduct requirements.

3. Citizenship by Option​

Available in 10 narrowly defined cases, such as:

• Marriage to a Luxembourgish national.
• Descendants where nationality did not pass from a parent or grandparent.
• Certain long-term residents under special circumstances.

This route requires a formal declaration and supporting documents.

4. Reclaiming Luxembourgish Citizenship​

Reclaiming nationality applies to:

• Individuals who previously held Luxembourgish citizenship and lost it.
• Women who obtained their husband’s nationality through marriage and lost their own.
• Descendants of ancestors who held Luxembourgish nationality on 1 January 1900 but later lost it.

Deadline: Those who obtained certification from the Ministry of Justice confirming such ancestry before 31 December 2018 must make their formal declaration by 31 December 2025 in the presence of a Luxembourg civil registrar.


If missed: Descendants may still explore citizenship by option as an alternative route.

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Key Requirements​

Applicants must provide various documents depending on the chosen pathway. Common requirements include:

• Proof of good conduct: Criminal record certificate in German, French, or English. Certified translations are required.
• Language proficiency: Minimum A2 oral expression and B1 oral comprehension in Luxembourgish, proven by an official test certificate.
• Civic integration: Completion of the “Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg” course (24 hours) or passing the related exam.
• Integration proof: Evidence of knowledge of Luxembourg’s history, institutions, and culture.
• Civil status documents: Birth and marriage certificates may require legalization.

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Benefits of Luxembourg Citizenship​

Acquiring Luxembourg nationality brings substantial advantages:

• Dual citizenship permitted (subject to home country laws).
• Strong passport: Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 185 countries.
• EU rights: Full access to residence and employment across all EU/EEA states.
• Generational impact: Citizenship is permanent and can be passed to descendants.
• Political rights: Ability to vote and stand for election in Luxembourg.

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Application Process​

• Free of charge – no application fees are required.
• In-person declaration – the applicant must appear before a civil registrar in Luxembourg (no proxy permitted).
• Processing times – vary depending on whether the application is by naturalisation, option, or reclaim. Appeals are available if an application is rejected.

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Citizenship Statistics​

Recent figures highlight the growing interest in Luxembourg nationality:

• 2024: 7,415 people obtained citizenship (most through naturalisation and option).
• 2023: 11,904 approvals recorded, a record year.
• Top nationalities acquiring Luxembourg citizenship in the past two years include Brazilians (5,010), Portuguese (2,504), French (2,106), and Americans (1,411).

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Final Thoughts​

Luxembourg offers a clear and structured framework for citizenship, balancing integration requirements with accessible pathways for those with family ties, long-term residence, or historical connections. With the December 2025 deadline fast approaching for some categories of reclaim applications, individuals should review their eligibility early.


For others, options such as naturalisation or citizenship by option provide alternative routes to securing the benefits of Luxembourgish nationality, strengthening long-term security and access to the broader EU.

 

[lucasbravo]

Luxembourg’s process looks straightforward compared to other EU countries. Five years of residence and a language test — that’s not bad at all. Anyone here actually taken the Luxembourgish language exam? Curious how tough the A2/B1 levels are in practice.

 

[sophia_l]

Luxembourg’s process looks straightforward compared to other EU countries. Five years of residence and a language test — that’s not bad at all. Anyone here actually taken the Luxembourgish language exam? Curious how tough the A2/B1 levels are in practice.

The test is pretty manageable if you’ve been living there for a while. The tricky part is pronunciation — Luxembourgish has a few Germanic sounds that can throw people off. But the examiners are fair, especially if they see you’re making a genuine effort.

 

[rogerthomson]

What I find interesting is that Luxembourg still allows dual citizenship. Many European countries don’t. That’s a big incentive for professionals who don’t want to give up their original nationality but want full EU mobility rights.

 

[elena_castillo]

What I find interesting is that Luxembourg still allows dual citizenship. Many European countries don’t. That’s a big incentive for professionals who don’t want to give up their original nationality but want full EU mobility rights.

Totally agree, Rogerthomson! Dual nationality is a huge plus — and the fact that the process is free makes it even better. The civic integration course is actually quite informative too; it gives a nice overview of the country’s values and institutions.

 

[petter]

Luxembourg’s nationality framework exemplifies administrative precision harmonized with inclusivity. By coupling linguistic integration with civic education, it fosters genuine assimilation rather than mere legal formalism. The Grand Duchy, in essence, converts residency into belonging.