Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality by option

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Last updated more than 5 years ago

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 'Forms / Online services' section are to be submitted in person to the commune of residence, together with all other legally required documents. If the applicant lives broad, 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 (Contrat d'accueil et d'intégration) (case no. 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.

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:

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 must be organised by the National Institute for Languages Luxembourg (INLL) or by a provider offering a course certified by the minister responsible for national education.

The organiser will document course attendance.

Case no. 7: adults having fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract

Adults who have fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract 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.

Holders of a certificate of participation to the citizenship courses to be taken as part of the conclusion of a Welcome and Integration Contract 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 recognized automatically, there is no procedure to 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 by the Minister, a reversal on appeal may be petitioned before the administrative tribunal.

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 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 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

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 adults having fulfilled the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract

  • a certificate confirming fulfilment of the obligations arising from the Welcome and Integration Contract;
  • 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 a reversal on appeal petitioned 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 by made through an annotation on the option declaration.

Forms / Online services

Autorisation de demander le bulletin n°2 du casier judiciaire

Les informations qui vous concernent recueillies sur ce formulaire font l’objet d’un traitement par l’administration concernée afin de mener à bien votre demande.

Ces informations sont conservées pour la durée nécessaire par l’administration à la réalisation de la finalité du traitement

Les destinataires de vos données sont les administrations compétentes dans le cadre du traitement de votre demande. Veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée par votre demande pour connaître les destinataires des données figurant sur ce formulaire. Conformément au règlement (UE) 2016/679 relatif à la protection des personnes physiques à l'égard du traitement des données à caractère personnel et à la libre circulation de ces données, vous bénéficiez d’un droit d’accès, de rectification et le cas échéant d’effacement des informations vous concernant. Vous disposez également du droit de retirer votre consentement à tout moment.

En outre et excepté le cas où le traitement de vos données présente un caractère obligatoire, vous pouvez, pour des motifs légitimes, vous y opposer.

Si vous souhaitez exercer ces droits et/ou obtenir communication de vos informations, veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée suivant les coordonnées indiquées dans le formulaire. Vous avez également la possibilité d’introduire une réclamation auprès de la Commission nationale pour la protection des données ayant son siège à 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

En poursuivant votre démarche, vous acceptez que vos données personnelles soient traitées dans le cadre de votre demande.

Télécharger le formulaire PDF, 318 Kb

Genehmigung, das Führungszeugnis Nr. 2 des Strafregisters zu beantragen

GENEHMIGUNG, DAS FÜHRUNGSZEUGNIS NR. 2 DES STRAFREGISTERS ZU BEANTRAGEN 
im Rahmen eines Antrags auf Einbürgerung oder einer
Options- oder Wiedereinbürgerungserklärung

Ihre in diesem Formular erfassten personenbezogenen Informationen werden von der zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörde verarbeitet, um Ihren Antrag erfolgreich abzuschließen.

Diese Informationen werden von der Behörde für den zur Verarbeitung erforderlichen Zeitraum gespeichert.

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Gemäß der Verordnung (EU) 2016/679 zum Schutz natürlicher Personen bei der Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten und zum freien Datenverkehr haben Sie das Recht auf Zugang, Berichtigung und gegebenenfalls Löschung Ihrer personenbezogenen Informationen. Sie haben zudem das Recht, Ihre erteilte Einwilligung jederzeit zu widerrufen.

Weiterhin können Sie, außer in Fällen, in denen die Verarbeitung Ihrer Daten verpflichtend ist, Widerspruch einlegen, wenn dieser rechtmäßig begründet ist.

Wenn Sie diese Rechte ausüben und/oder Einsicht in Ihre Informationen nehmen möchten, können Sie sich unter den im Formular angegebenen Kontaktdaten an die zuständige Verwaltungsbehörde wenden. Sie haben außerdem die Möglichkeit, bei der Nationalen Kommission für den Datenschutz Beschwerde einzulegen (Commission nationale pour la protection des données, 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux).

Wenn Sie Ihren Vorgang fortsetzen, akzeptieren Sie damit, dass Ihre personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihres Antrags verarbeitet werden.

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Naturalisation / Option / Recouvrement - Notice biographique - Questionnaire

Les informations qui vous concernent recueillies sur ce formulaire font l’objet d’un traitement par l’administration concernée afin de mener à bien votre demande.

Ces informations sont conservées pour la durée nécessaire par l’administration à la réalisation de la finalité du traitement

Les destinataires de vos données sont les administrations compétentes dans le cadre du traitement de votre demande. Veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée par votre demande pour connaître les destinataires des données figurant sur ce formulaire. Conformément au règlement (UE) 2016/679 relatif à la protection des personnes physiques à l'égard du traitement des données à caractère personnel et à la libre circulation de ces données, vous bénéficiez d’un droit d’accès, de rectification et le cas échéant d’effacement des informations vous concernant. Vous disposez également du droit de retirer votre consentement à tout moment.

En outre et excepté le cas où le traitement de vos données présente un caractère obligatoire, vous pouvez, pour des motifs légitimes, vous y opposer.

Si vous souhaitez exercer ces droits et/ou obtenir communication de vos informations, veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée suivant les coordonnées indiquées dans le formulaire. Vous avez également la possibilité d’introduire une réclamation auprès de la Commission nationale pour la protection des données ayant son siège à 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

En poursuivant votre démarche, vous acceptez que vos données personnelles soient traitées dans le cadre de votre demande.

Télécharger le formulaire PDF, 359 Kb

Einbürgerung / Option / Wiedereinbürgerung - Lebenslauf - Fragebogen

Ihre in diesem Formular erfassten personenbezogenen Informationen werden von der zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörde verarbeitet, um Ihren Antrag erfolgreich abzuschließen.

Diese Informationen werden von der Behörde für den zur Verarbeitung erforderlichen Zeitraum gespeichert.

Die Empfänger Ihrer Daten sind die im Rahmen Ihres Antrags zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörden. Um die Empfänger der in diesem Formular erfassten Daten zu erfahren, wenden Sie sich bitte an die für Ihren Antrag zuständige Behörde.

Gemäß der Verordnung (EU) 2016/679 zum Schutz natürlicher Personen bei der Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten und zum freien Datenverkehr haben Sie das Recht auf Zugang, Berichtigung und gegebenenfalls Löschung Ihrer personenbezogenen Informationen. Sie haben zudem das Recht, Ihre erteilte Einwilligung jederzeit zu widerrufen.

Weiterhin können Sie, außer in Fällen, in denen die Verarbeitung Ihrer Daten verpflichtend ist, Widerspruch einlegen, wenn dieser rechtmäßig begründet ist.

Wenn Sie diese Rechte ausüben und/oder Einsicht in Ihre Informationen nehmen möchten, können Sie sich unter den im Formular angegebenen Kontaktdaten an die zuständige Verwaltungsbehörde wenden. Sie haben außerdem die Möglichkeit, bei der Nationalen Kommission für den Datenschutz Beschwerde einzulegen (Commission nationale pour la protection des données, 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux).

Wenn Sie Ihren Vorgang fortsetzen, akzeptieren Sie damit, dass Ihre personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihres Antrags verarbeitet werden.

Das Formular herunterladen PDF, 336 Kb

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