Luxembourgish nationality can be acquired through naturalisation. Naturalisation confers upon the person concerned all the civil and political rights associated with being a Luxembourgish national. These rights do not have any retroactive effect.

Who is concerned

Any non-Luxembourgish person who meets the conditions outlined below can apply for naturalisation.

If these conditions are not met, they may instead be able to reclaim or opt for Luxembourgish nationality.

Prerequisites

Naturalisation is open to all adults, provided that:

• they have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 years. The final year of residence immediately preceding the naturalisation application must have been uninterrupted;
• they have knowledge of the Luxembourgish language, as evidenced by a Luxembourgish language test pass certificate;
• they have taken the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the test covering the topics taught in this course.

Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality is subject to a condition of good repute. Consequently, Luxembourgish nationality is refused:

• if the applicant has made false statements, concealed important information or acted fraudulently during the naturalisation procedure; or
• if the applicant has received, in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg or abroad:
  • a criminal sentence or a custodial sentence of 12 months or more; or
  • a suspended sentence of 24 months or more.

Costs

The naturalisation procedure is free of charge.

However, the preparation of certain documents to be produced as part of the naturalisation procedure may incur charges, the amount of which is set by the issuing authority. Example:

• Luxembourg communes may request the payment of a municipal tax in exchange for preparing copies of marital status records;
• foreign authorities may apply a charge for the issuance of marital status records or copies of criminal records.

How to proceed

Applying to the civil registrar for naturalisation

Applications for naturalisation are made to the civil registrar of the commune of the applicant's usual place of residence. The applicant must appear in person before the civil registrar. They may be accompanied by a person of their choice.

The naturalisation application must be signed by the applicant or their legal representative. Signature by proxy is not permitted.

If the legal conditions are met and the application contains all the necessary documentation, the civil registrar will record the naturalisation application. They will then send the file to the Ministry of Justice directly and without delay.

If the file submitted is incomplete, the civil registrar will request that the applicant produce the missing documents. If the documents are not submitted within a period of 3 months, the naturalisation application will not be considered.

Supporting documents to be submitted with the application

Applicants must submit the following documents to the civil registrar in support of their naturalisation application:

• a full copy of their birth certificate and, if necessary, that of their children under 18;
• a copy of their valid passport and, if applicable, that of their children aged under 18. If they do not have a passport, another identity or travel document may be provided;
• precise biographical details signed by the applicant or their legal representative. The applicant must:
  • use the biographical questionnaire notice biographique;
  • complete it honestly and in full;
  • sign and date the biographical questionnaire;
• criminal record certificates or similar documents issued by the competent foreign authorities:
  • in the foreign country or countries of which the applicant is or was a national;
  • in the foreign country or countries in which the applicant has resided from the age of 18 during the 15 years immediately preceding the submission of the application.
• a Luxembourgish language test pass certificate;
• a certificate confirming the applicant attended the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the exam covering the course;
• if applicable, authorisation of the judge supervising guardianship to initiate the naturalisation procedure;
• if applicable, a decision of the Minister authorising an exemption from submitting one or more of the required documents. This exemption can be obtained upon reasoned request from the Minister of Justice, who has sole authority to grant it.

By signing the biographical questionnaire, the candidate authorises the Ministry of Justice to apply for the candidate's criminal record no. 2 to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

The civil registrar can refuse to record the application. In this case, an appeal against this decision can be made to the Minister of Justice within one month of notification of the refusal. If the appeal is rejected by the Minister, a reversal on appeal may be petitioned before the administrative tribunal.

The ministry may request that additional documents be provided when those supplied by the applicant are insufficient or unsuitable to be used as evidence that the conditions have been met.

Review of the application by the Ministry of Justice

Applications are reviewed by the Nationality Office of the Ministry of Justice.

After having obtained the applicant's approval, the Ministry of Justice will request the issuance of the record no. 2 of the criminal record from the public prosecutor's office. If applicants refuse to give this authorisation, the application will not be considered.

The Ministry of Justice may request that additional documents be provided if those supplied by the applicant are insufficient or unsuitable to be used as evidence that the conditions have been met.

Applications may be suspended in the event that the applicant is the subject of criminal proceedings in Luxembourg or abroad.

By ministerial order, the Minister of Justice will grant or reject naturalisation within a period of 8 months from submission of the naturalisation application. Naturalisation shall take effect on the date of the ministerial order.

As a rule, applicants are notified of this order by post.

Applicants may petition the administrative tribunal for a reversal on appeal of the decision to refuse to grant nationality within a period of 3 months of notification of this decision. The appeal must be lodged by a court lawyer.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact