Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality by option
Last update
Luxembourgish nationality can be assigned to non-Luxembourgish nationals by option. This grants the person in question all the rights and obligations associated with being a Luxembourgish national. The option procedure does not have any retroactive effect.
Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality by option is possible in 10 specific cases.
The forms listed in the 'Online services and forms' section are to be submitted in person to the commune of residence, together with all other legally required documents. If the applicant lives abroad, the application must be presented to the civil registrar of the City of Luxembourg.
Who is concerned
Any non-Luxembourgish person who meets the conditions listed below can acquire the Luxembourgish nationality by option.
The option procedure is open:
- to adults with a parent, adoptive parent or grandparent who is or was Luxembourgish (case no. 1); or
- to parents of a Luxembourgish minor (case no. 2); or
- in the event of marriage to a Luxembourgish national (case no. 3); or
- to persons born in Luxembourg, over the age of 12 (case no. 4); or
- to adults having completed 7 years of schooling in Luxembourg (case no. 5); or
- to adults residing legally in Luxembourg for at least 20 years (case no. 6); or
- to adults having fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract, respectively the introductory modules to life in Luxembourg, organised as part of the citizens' pact for intercultural living together (case 7); or
- to adults who settled in Luxembourg before the age of 18 (case no. 8); or
- to adults with stateless person status, with refugee status or with subsidiary protection status (case no. 9); or
- to volunteer soldiers (case no. 10).
If none of these situations applies to the applicant, they may instead be able to submit an application for naturalisation or reclaim their Luxembourgish nationality.
Applicants can determine which nationality acquisition procedure applies to their case with the help of a decision tree (Pdf - 1.03 Mb).
Prerequisites
Case no. 1: adults with a parent, adoptive parent or grandparent who is or was Luxembourgish
The option procedure is open to adults:
- whose parent or adoptive parent is or was a Luxembourgish national and such nationality was not passed on to them; or
- whose grandparent is or was a Luxembourgish national and such nationality was not passed on to their parent.
Case no. 2: parents of Luxembourgish minors
The option procedure is open to parents of Luxembourgish minors, provided that:
- they have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 years. The final year of residence immediately preceding the option declaration 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.
Case no. 3: in the event of marriage to a Luxembourgish national
The option is open in the event of marriage to a Luxembourgish national, provided that:
- 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.
If the applicant is not a resident of Luxembourg, Luxembourgish nationality can only be acquired after 3 years of marriage immediately preceding the option declaration. This waiting period does not apply to applicants living abroad as a result of their spouse holding a position granted by a Luxembourg public authority or by an international organisation.
Case no. 4: persons born in Luxembourg, over the age of 12
Persons born in Luxembourg can apply for Luxembourgish nationality from the age of 12:
- if they have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the option declaration;
- if one of their non-Luxembourgish parents or adoptive parents resided legally in Luxembourg for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding their birth.
Applicants born before 1 July 2013 are only required to meet the first condition.
Case no. 5: adults having completed at least 7 years of schooling in Luxembourg
Adults who have completed at least 7 years of schooling within the Luxembourgish public school system or a private school system applying the Luxembourgish public curriculum can apply for Luxembourgish nationality, provided that they have resided in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the option declaration.
Case no. 6: adults residing legally in Luxembourg for at least 20 years
Adults who have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 20 years can apply for Luxembourgish nationality. The final year of residence immediately preceding the option declaration must have been uninterrupted.
The applicant must take a Luxembourgish language course, which aims to offer an introduction to the language through a focus on speaking and listening skills. The length of the course is 24 hours.
The course offered by the service provider must be approved by the Department of Adult Education (Service de la formation des adultes).
Make sure that the service provider is offering an approved 'Introduction to Luxembourgish' course.
The service provider shall certify that the applicant attended 24 hours of lessons. Before the certificate can be submitted to the Ministry of Justice (ministère de la Justice) - Nationality Office (Service de la nationalité luxembourgeoise), it must be validated by the Department of Adult Education by affixing a stamp.
Case no. 7: the adult who has fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract, respectively the introductory modules to life in Luxembourg, organised as part of the citizens' pact for intercultural living together
The adult who has fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract, respectively the introductory modules to life in Luxembourg, organised as part of the citizens' pact for intercultural living together, can apply for the Luxembourgish nationality provided that:
- they have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 years. The final year of residence immediately preceding the option declaration 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.
Holders of a certificate of participation in the citizenship courses to be taken as part of the conclusion of a Welcome and Integration Contract, respectively a certificate of participation for at least 6 hours in the module on life in Luxembourg, organised as part of the citizens' pact for intercultural living together, are exempted from taking the module 'History of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and European integration' (L’histoire du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et l’intégration européenne). The exemption is recognised automatically, there is no procedure to be carried out.
If the applicant does not attend the necessary courses and just wants to take the exam, they will not be exempted from taking the module 'History of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and European integration'.
Case no. 8: adults settled in Luxembourg before the age of 18
Adults who settled in Luxembourg before the age of 18 can apply for Luxembourgish nationality, provided that:
- they have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 years. The final year of residence immediately preceding the option declaration 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.
Case no. 9: adults with stateless person status, with refugee status or with subsidiary protection status
Adults who have stateless person status, refugee status or subsidiary protection status can apply for Luxembourgish nationality, provided that:
- they have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least 5 years. The final year of residence immediately preceding the option declaration 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.
The period between submission of the application for international protection or the application for recognition as a stateless person and the granting of refugee status, subsidiary protection status or stateless person status is deemed a period of usual and lawful residence within the meaning of the Law on Luxembourgish nationality.
Case no. 10: volunteer soldier
Volunteer soldiers who have completed at least one year of good and loyal service, as certified by the Luxembourg army's Chief of Staff, can apply for Luxembourgish nationality.
Condition of good repute
Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality is subject to a condition of good repute, irrespective of the applicant's circumstances. Consequently, Luxembourgish nationality is refused:
- if the applicant has made false statements, concealed important information or acted fraudulently during the option procedure; or
- if the applicant has received, either 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.
The facts underlying a foreign conviction must also constitute a criminal offence under Luxembourg law and, if applicable and except in the case of rehabilitation, the sentence must have been definitively served less than 15 years before the option declaration.
Costs
The option procedure is free of charge.
However, the preparation of certain documents to be produced as part of the option procedure may incur charges, the amount of which is set by the issuing authority. For example:
- Luxembourg communes may request the payment of a communal tax in exchange for preparing copies of marital status records;
- foreign authorities may apply a charge for the issuance of marital status records or extracts from the criminal record.
How to proceed
Submitting an option declaration to the civil registrar
Applications to acquire Luxembourgish nationality by option are made to the civil registrar of the commune of the applicant's usual place of residence.
If the applicant does not live in Luxembourg, the application must be made to the civil registrar of the City of Luxembourg.
The applicant must appear in person before the civil registrar. They may be accompanied by a person of their choice.
The option declaration must be signed by the applicant or their legal representative.
If the application is for a child under the age of 18 (case no. 4), the minor and their legal representatives must appear in person and sign the option declaration jointly.
Signature by proxy is not permitted.
If the legal conditions are met and if the application contains all the necessary documentation, the civil registrar will record the option declaration.
If the application 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 application will not be considered.
The civil registrar can refuse to register the declaration. In this case, an appeal against this decision can be made to the Minister of Justice within one month of notification of this refusal. If the appeal is rejected an appeal for review may be lodged with the administrative court.
As a general rule, the person in question is notified of the option declaration by the civil registrar by post. The date on which Luxembourgish nationality was acquired is stated on the option declaration.
Supporting documents to be submitted with the application
Prior to applying for the option declaration, the applicant must submit the following documents to the civil registrar:
- a full copy of their birth certificate and, if necessary, that of their children under 18;
- a copy of their valid passport and, where appropriate, 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 (French, Pdf - 355 Kb) signed by the applicant or their legal representative;
- 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;
- if applicable, authorisation of the judge supervising the guardianship to initiate an option procedure;
- if applicable, the decision of the Minister granting an exemption to submit any of the required documents. This exemption can be obtained upon reasoned request from the Minister of Justice, who has sole authority to grant it.
If a required document has not been drafted in French, German, English or Luxembourgish, the applicant must submit it with a translation in one of these languages. The translation must be performed by sworn translator or by a foreign public authority.
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.
Record no. 2 of the criminal record is not required where the person applying for the option procedure has not yet reached the age of 18.
Other documents have to be attached depending on the case.
Case no. 1: additional supporting documents for adults
- a full copy of the birth certificate of their parent, grandparent or adoptive parent;
- a certificate of Luxembourgish nationality for the parent, grandparent or adoptive parent.
Case no. 2: additional supporting documents for the parent of a Luxembourgish minor
- a certificate of Luxembourgish nationality for the child under 18;
- a certificate attesting to the successful completion of the Luxembourg language evaluation test;
- a certificate confirming the applicant attended the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the test covering the topics taught in this course.
Case no. 3: additional supporting documents in the event of marriage to a Luxembourgish national
- a full copy of the marriage certificate;
- a certificate of Luxembourgish nationality for the spouse;
- a Luxembourgish language test pass certificate;
- a certificate confirming the applicant attended the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the test covering the topics taught in this course;
- if applicable, a certificate confirming that the spouse holds a position abroad granted by a Luxembourg public authority or by an international organisation.
Case no. 5: additional supporting documents for adults having completed at least 7 years of schooling in Luxembourg
- school reports or other certificates issued by the competent authority.
Case no. 6: additional supporting documents for adults residing legally in Luxembourg for at least 20 years
- a certificate confirming participation in the Luxembourgish language course.
Case no. 7: additional supporting documents for the adult who has fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract, respectively the introductory modules to life in Luxembourg, organised as part of the citizens' pact for intercultural living together
- a certificate attesting to the fulfilment of the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract, respectively the introductory modules to life in Luxembourg, organised as part of the citizens' pact for intercultural living together;
- a Luxembourgish language test pass certificate;
- a certificate confirming the applicant attended the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the test covering the topics taught in this course.
Case no. 8: additional supporting documents for adults settled in Luxembourg before the age of 18
- a Luxembourgish language test pass certificate;
- a certificate confirming the applicant attended the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the test covering the topics taught in this course.
Case no. 9: additional supporting documents for adults with stateless person status, refugee status or subsidiary protection status
- a Luxembourgish language test pass certificate;
- a certificate confirming the applicant attended the 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' course or passed the test covering the topics taught in this course.
Case no. 10: additional supporting documents for volunteer soldiers
- a certificate confirming that the applicant completed at least one year of good and loyal service as a volunteer soldier.
Review of the application by the Ministry of Justice
The civil registrar will send the option declaration and supporting documents to the Ministry of Justice directly and without delay.
If the minister has no objection to the option declaration, the applicant will acquire Luxembourgish nationality after a period of 4 months from receipt of the application by the Ministry of Justice.
If this is not the case, the minister may impose the measures outlined below.
Cancellation of the option declaration
The option declaration will be cancelled by the minister:
- if the civil registrar has recorded the option declaration in violation of the law; or
- if the applicant has made false statements, concealed important information or acted fraudulently.
The option declaration may be cancelled within the period of 4 months following the receipt of the application by the Ministry of Justice.
Cancellation of the option declaration means that the person in question does not obtain Luxembourgish nationality.
The civil registrar who recorded the option declaration will inform the person concerned.
In the case of false statements, concealment of important information or fraud, the cancellation of the option declaration is accompanied by a ban on initiating a naturalisation, option or reclamation procedure for a period of 15 years.
The ministerial decision to cancel the option declaration may be subject to an appeal for review lodged before the administrative tribunal within a period of 3 months from notification of the decision. The appeal must be lodged by a court lawyer.
Correction of the option declaration
The minister will instruct the civil registrar to correct the option declaration in the event of a purely clerical error or omission, the indication of an inappropriate legal basis or an error regarding the marital status of the applicant.
The correction shall be made through an annotation on the option declaration.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
-
Ministry of Justice Nationality Office
- Address:
-
13, rue Erasme
L-1468
Luxembourg
L-2934 Luxembourg
- Phone:
-
(+352) 247 84 547
General questions and secretariat
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 20 27 59
- Email address:
- nationalite@mj.public.lu
-
Nationality Office
Certificates regarding Luxembourg nationality
- Address:
- 13, rue Erasme L-1468 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 84 532
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 20 27 59
- Email address:
- certificat-nationalite@mj.etat.lu
Closed ⋅ Opens Monday at 8.30
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
-
Nationality Office
General questions and secretariat
- Address:
- 13, rue Erasme L-1468 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 84 547
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 20 27 59
- Email address:
- nationalite@mj.public.lu
Closed ⋅ Opens Monday at 8.30
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
-
Nationality Office
Nationality by option
- Address:
- 13, rue Erasme L-1468 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 88 523
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 20 27 59
- Email address:
- nationalite@mj.public.lu
Closed ⋅ Opens Monday at 8.30
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
-
Nationality Office
Naturalisation
- Address:
- 13, rue Erasme L-1468 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 88 525
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 20 27 59
- Email address:
- nationalite@mj.public.lu
Closed ⋅ Opens Monday at 8.30
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
-
Nationality Office
Reclamation procedure
- Address:
- 13, rue Erasme L-1468 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 88 523
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 20 27 59
- Email address:
- nationalite@mj.public.lu
Closed ⋅ Opens Monday at 8.30
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 11.30, 14.30 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
2 of 6 bodies shown
Communal administrations
- Address:
- Luxembourg
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Decision tree: Can you apply for Luxembourgish nationality?
Pdf • 1.03 Mb
-
Listes des experts, traducteurs et interprètes assermentés
sur le site du ministère de la Justice
Legal references
-
Loi du 23 octobre 2008
portant révision de l'article 9, alinéa 1er de la Constitution
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Loi du 23 octobre 2008
portant révision de l'article 10 de la Constitution
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Loi modifiée du 8 mars 2017
sur la nationalité luxembourgeoise
