Key Takeaways

  • EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Luxembourg without a permit; non-EEA nationals require a Temporary Authorisation to Stay (ATS) and a work permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in the EU and is home to the European Court of Justice, the European Investment Bank, and major financial institutions; the financial services, fintech, and investment fund sectors drive demand for foreign talent.
  • Over 47% of Luxembourg’s resident workforce commutes from France, Belgium, and Germany; cross-border worker arrangements are extremely common and do not require residence in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg is a small landlocked Grand Duchy in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. Luxembourg City is the capital, the seat of several major EU institutions, and one of the world’s leading financial centres. Luxembourg is the world’s largest domicile for investment funds (second only to the US) and a major centre for private banking, fintech, and insurance. Despite a population of under 700,000, Luxembourg has one of the world’s highest GDPs per capita. Over 170 nationalities live in Luxembourg; nearly half the resident workforce are foreign nationals. Cross-border workers from France, Belgium, and Germany add another 230,000+ workers daily. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE) administers ATS and work permits through the immigration authority.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Luxembourg?

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Luxembourg without a permit. Non-EEA nationals require an ATS and a work permit before starting work. The requirement applies to:

  • Non-EEA nationals employed by Luxembourg-registered companies or EU institution contractors
  • Non-EEA intra-company transferees to Luxembourg subsidiaries or affiliates
  • Non-EEA highly skilled professionals under the EU Blue Card scheme
  • Non-EEA technical specialists and consultants on assignments exceeding 90 days
  • Non-EEA financial services, technology, and logistics professionals

Types of Luxembourg Work Visas and Permits

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is the primary pathway for non-EEA highly skilled workers. Requirements: at least a three-year higher education qualification and a job offer with a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Luxembourg (approximately EUR 78,000/year in 2024). The Blue Card is issued by the MAEE immigration authority for up to four years and provides enhanced EU mobility rights.

Salaried Worker Permit (ATS)

For non-EEA nationals who do not meet the Blue Card salary threshold, the Salaried Worker Permit within an ATS is the standard authorisation. The employer must register a prior declaration with the ADEM (Agence pour le Developpement de l’Emploi) confirming that no EU/EEA national was available for the role (Labour Market Test). The ATS is issued for one to three years and is renewable.

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit

Non-EEA employees transferred from a non-EU parent company to a Luxembourg entity in a managerial, specialist, or trainee capacity may use the ICT permit. Valid for up to three years (managers/specialists) or one year (trainees). The Luxembourg entity must have a genuine operational relationship with the sending company.

EU/EEA Freedom of Movement

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Luxembourg. Those residing in Luxembourg for more than three months must register with the local municipality (commune) and obtain a registration certificate. Cross-border workers commuting from France, Belgium, or Germany do not need to register in Luxembourg.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Luxembourg

1

Employer Completes Labour Market Test (if required)

For the Salaried Worker Permit, the employer must file a prior declaration with ADEM confirming that the vacancy was advertised and no EU/EEA candidate was available. This step is not required for EU Blue Card applications.

2

Apply for the ATS via Guichet.lu

The employer or the foreign national submits the ATS application online via Guichet.lu (Luxembourg’s e-government portal). Required documents: signed employment contract; ADEM declaration (where required); educational qualifications; police clearance; proof of accommodation in Luxembourg; health insurance certificate; and valid passport.

3

Foreign National Obtains a D-Visa if Required

Non-EEA nationals not exempt from Schengen visa requirements must obtain a Luxembourg national long-stay visa (D-Visa) from a Luxembourg embassy or consulate before travelling to collect the ATS. Schengen-visa-exempt nationals may enter and apply in-country.

4

Collect the ATS Sticker and Residence Permit

On approval, the MAEE immigration authority issues the ATS decision. The worker enters Luxembourg and visits the immigration office to have the ATS sticker affixed to their passport. A separate biometric residence permit card may be issued for longer-term permits.

5

Register with the Commune

Within three days of taking up residence in Luxembourg, the foreign worker must register their address with the local commune (municipality). The commune issues a certificate of registration, which is needed for banking, healthcare, and tax administration.

6

Register with CNAP and the Social Security System

The employer registers the worker with the Centre National de l’Audiovisuel et des Prestations (CNAP) — note: the employer registers with the Joint Social Security Centre (CCSS) for social security. Employer contributions in Luxembourg are approximately 12–15% of gross salary; employee contributions approximately 12.5%.

Luxembourg Work Permit Costs and Fees

Luxembourg immigration fees are denominated in Euros (EUR):

Permit Type
Fee
EU Blue Card
EUR 80–150
Salaried Worker Permit (ATS)
EUR 80–150
ICT Permit
EUR 80–150
D-Visa (where required)
EUR 60

CCSS (social security) contributions are a significant payroll cost.

Professional service fees add EUR 600–1,500. Total first-year employer costs typically range from EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,000.

Luxembourg Work Visa Sponsorship

Luxembourg ATS permits are employer-tied. Changes of employer require a new ATS application. The EU Blue Card is more portable after 18 months. Employers must notify the MAEE immigration authority within 15 days of early termination of employment.

Employers must comply with Luxembourg labour law (Code du Travail), the CCSS social security contribution obligations, and applicable collective agreements. Luxembourg’s minimum wage is the EU’s highest and must be respected for all workers.

For international companies without a Luxembourg entity, an EOR registered in Luxembourg can act as the sponsoring employer, manage ATS and Blue Card applications, CCSS contributions, payroll in EUR, and full Code du Travail compliance.

Work in Luxembourg with Confidence

Luxembourg’s status as Europe’s leading investment fund domicile and a major fintech hub creates consistent demand for international talent. The high minimum wage and cost of living are the main workforce planning considerations. Cross-border commuter arrangements with France, Belgium, and Germany are extremely common and operationally effective.

RemotePeople’s Benelux team provides ATS, EU Blue Card, and EOR services in Luxembourg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Luxembourg's extremely high cost of living — particularly housing — makes it economically more practical for many workers to reside in neighbouring France (Lorraine), Belgium, or Germany and commute. Over 230,000 cross-border workers (frontaliers) commute into Luxembourg daily, representing nearly half the total workforce. Cross-border commuters are subject to Luxembourg income tax and social security on their Luxembourg employment income under bilateral tax treaties.

Luxembourg is the world's second-largest investment fund domicile after the US, hosting over EUR 5 trillion in assets under management across UCITs, alternative investment funds (AIFs), and private equity vehicles. The fund administration, depositary banking, and asset management industries are major employers of foreign talent, particularly from France, Belgium, Germany, the UK, and the US.

ADEM (Agence pour le Developpement de l'Emploi) is Luxembourg's public employment service. For non-EU Salaried Worker Permit applications, employers must file a prior declaration with ADEM confirming that the vacancy was registered and that no EU/EEA candidate with the required qualifications was available. This Labour Market Test takes approximately four weeks.

Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German. In practice, most international business in the financial sector is conducted in English and French. Luxembourgish is used in local political life and some public services. Knowledge of French is most useful for day-to-day life and some legal/regulatory contexts.

Yes. An EOR registered in Luxembourg can act as the sponsoring employer, conduct the ADEM Labour Market Test, manage ATS and EU Blue Card applications, CCSS contributions, payroll in EUR, and full Code du Travail compliance on behalf of an international company without a Luxembourg entity.

Relocate to Luxembourg

RemotePeople provides EOR services in Luxembourg and across the Benelux region. We manage ADEM Labour Market Tests, ATS and EU Blue Card applications, CCSS registration, payroll in EUR, and full Luxembourg Labour Code compliance.

Contact RemotePeople to start hiring in Luxembourg today.

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