Reclaiming Luxembourgish nationality
It is possible to reclaim Luxembourgish nationality.
The reclamation procedure is open to adults who have lost their status as Luxembourg nationals. It confers upon foreign nationals all the rights and obligations associated with being a Luxembourgish national.
The forms listed in the 'Forms / Online services' section are to be submitted in person to the relevant commune, 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
The reclamation procedure is open:
- to adults who have lost their status as Luxembourgish nationals;
- to women who have lost their status as Luxembourgish nationals, without expressly requesting it, as a result of having acquired the nationality of their husband through marriage, or because their husband has acquired a nationality other than the Luxembourgish nationality.
- to direct maternal or paternal descendants of an ancestor who held the Luxembourgish nationality on 1 January 1900, where the latter or one of their descendants lost this nationality.
If the legal conditions for reclaiming nationality are not met, the person in question may potentially acquire Luxembourgish nationality by naturalisation or through the option declaration procedure.
Applicants can determine which nationality acquisition procedure applies to their case with the help of a decision tree.
Prerequisites
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 reclamation 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.
Refusal to grant Luxembourgish nationality on the grounds of a criminal conviction does not apply to women who have lost their status as Luxembourgish nationals, without expressly requesting it, as a result of having acquired the nationality of their husband through marriage, or because their husband has acquired a nationality other than Luxembourgish nationality.
Preliminary steps
Persons, who had a direct maternal or paternal ancestor with Luxembourgish nationality on 1 January 1900, where the latter or one of their descendants lost this nationality, have to address the Ministry of Justice in order to request, by 31 December 2018 at the latest, the issuance of a certificate confirming that they are a direct descendant of an ancestor who was Luxembourgish on 1 January 1900.
Deadlines
Descendants of Luxembourgish ancestors must comply with 2 deadlines.
By 31 December 2018, they must have requested a certification confirming that they are a descendant of an ancestor who was Luxembourgish on 1 January 1900 from the Ministry of Justice.
By 31 December 2025, they must sign, in the presence of a civil registrar, a declaration to reclaim Luxembourgish nationality.
Costs
The reclamation procedure is free of charge.
However, the preparation of certain documents to be produced as part of the reclamation 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 extracts from the criminal record.
How to proceed
Submitting a reclamation declaration to the civil registrar
The file must be presented to the civil registrar of the commune of the usual place of residence of the applicant.
In the event that the applicant lives abroad, the file should be presented to the 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 declaration to reclaim Luxembourgish nationality must be signed by the applicant or their legal representative. Signature by proxy is not permitted.
If the legal conditions are met and if the file contains all the necessary documentation, the civil registrar will record the reclamation declaration. They then send the file to the Nationality Office (Service de la nationalité luxembourgeoise) of the Ministry of Justice directly and without delay.
If the file submitted is incomplete, the civil registrar will request that the applicant produces 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 record the declaration. 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 date on which Luxembourgish nationality was reclaimed is stated on the reclamation declaration.
Supporting documents
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;
- if applicable, the authorisation of the judge supervising guardianship to initiate a reclamation procedure;
- if applicable, the decision of the Minister granting an exemption to submit any of the required documents. This exemption can be obtained by submitting a reasoned request to 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 a sworn translator or by a foreign public authority.
Additional supporting documents for adults having lost their status as Luxembourgish nationals
- a certificate of loss of Luxembourgish nationality;
- 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.
The civil registrar will request the record no. 2 of the criminal record from the public prosecutor's office after having obtained an authorisation from the applicant. If applicants refuse to give their authorisation, the application will not be considered.
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 a sworn translator or by a foreign public authority.
Additional supporting documents for women who have lost their status as Luxembourgish nationals as a result of having acquired the nationality of their husband
- a certificate of loss of Luxembourgish nationality.
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 a sworn translator or by a foreign public authority.
Additional supporting documents for direct descendants of an ancestor who was Luxembourgish on 1 January 1900
- a certificate confirming that the applicant is a direct descendant of an ancestor who was Luxembourgish on 1 January 1900;
- 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.
The civil registrar will request the record no. 2 of the criminal record from the public prosecutor's office after having obtained an authorisation from the applicant. If applicants refuse to give their authorisation, the application will not be considered.
Review of the application by the Ministry of Justice
The civil registrar will send the reclamation declaration and supporting documents to the Ministry of Justice directly and without delay.
If the minister has no objection to the reclamation declaration, the applicant will reclaim 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 reclamation application
The reclamation declaration will be cancelled by the minister:
- if the civil registrar has recorded the reclamation declaration in violation of the law; or
- if the applicant has made false statements, concealed important information or acted fraudulently.
The reclamation declaration may be cancelled within the period of 4 months following the receipt of the application by the Ministry of Justice.
Cancellation of the reclamation declaration means that the person in question has not obtained Luxembourgish nationality.
The civil registrar who recorded the reclamation declaration will inform the person concerned.
In the case of false statements, concealment of important information or fraud, the cancellation of the reclamation declaration is accompanied by a ban on initiating a naturalisation, option declaration or reclamation procedure for a period of 15 years.
The ministerial decision to cancel the reclamation declaration may be subject to a reversal on appeal petitioned before the administrative tribunal within a period of 3 months from notification of this decision. The appeal must be lodged by a court lawyer.
Correction of the reclamation declaration
The minister will instruct the civil registrar to correct the reclamation 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 reclamation declaration.
Forms / Online services
Autorisation de demander le bulletin n°2 du casier judiciaire
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
Naturalisation / Option / Recouvrement - Notice biographique - Questionnaire
Einbürgerung / Option / Wiedereinbürgerung - Lebenslauf - Fragebogen
Who to contact
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Ministry of Justice
Nationality Office13, rue Erasme
L-1468 Luxembourg
Postal address :
L-2934 Luxembourg
Fax : (+352) 26 20 27 59Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) from 8.30 to 11.30 and 14.30 to 16.00 / Special opening hours during Christmas and the summer holidays.
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Communal Administrations
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Beaufort9, rue de l'Eglise
L-6315 Beaufort
Phone : (+352) 83 60 45-1Fax : (+352) 86 93 88Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.30 (closed on Thursday afternoon) / open until 20.00 on Wednesdays -
Bech1, Enneschtgaass
L-6230 Bech
Phone : (+352) 79 01 68-1Fax : (+352) 79 06 74Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00 (closed on Monday afternoons); Thursday: 13.00 - 19.00 (open until 17.00 during school holidays) -
Beckerich6, Dikrecherstrooss
L-8523 Beckerich
Phone : (+352) 23 62 21-1Fax : (+352) 23 62 91 62Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 08.30 - 12.00; Wednesday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.45 -
Berdorf5, rue de Consdorf
L-6551 Berdorf
Phone : (+352) 79 01 87-1Fax : (+352) 79 91 89Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00; Monday to Wednesday: 14.00 - 16.00; Thursday: 14.00 - 19.00 -
Bertrange2, beim Schlass
L-8058 Bertrange
Postal address :
B.P. 28 L-8005 Bertrange
Phone : (+352) 26 31 2-1Fax : (+352) 26 31 27 57Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00 -
Bettembourg13, rue du Château
L-3217 Bettembourg
Postal address :
B.P. 29 L-3201 Bettembourg
Phone : (+352) 51 80 80-1Fax : (+352) 51 80 80-601Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 16.30 / "Biergerzenter" open until 19.00 on Thursdays -
Bettendorf1, rue Neuve
L-9353 Bettendorf
Phone : (+352) 80 25 92-1Fax : (+352) 80 92 34Monday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 18.45; Tuesday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 16.30 (closed on Wednesdays) -
Betzdorf11, rue du Château
L-6922 Berg
Postal address :
B.P. 2 L-6901 Roodt/Syre
Phone : (+352) 77 00 49-1Fax : (+352) 77 00 82Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 12.00 et 13.30 - 16.30 (bureau de la population et état civil) / Uniquement sur RDV: lundi, mardi, jeudi, vendredi: 16.30 - 17.00; mercredi: 07.00 - 08.00 -
Bissen1, rue des Moulins
L-7784 Bissen
Postal address :
B.P. 25 L-7703 Bissen
Phone : (+352) 83 50 03-21Fax : (+352) 85 97 63Monday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 18.30 (only population service); Tuesday to Friday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30 (closed on Thursday morning) -
Biwer6, Kiirchestrooss
L-6834 Biwer
Phone : (+352) 71 00 08-1Fax : (+352) 71 90 25Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 11.30 (fermé le 1ier mercredi de chaque mois, ouvert le 1ier mercredi de chaque mois de 14.00 - 18.00) -
Boulaide3, rue de la Mairie
L-9640 Boulaide
Phone : (+352) 99 30 12Fax : (+352) 99 36 92Monday, Thursday: 14.00 - 17.00; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 -
Bourscheid1, Schlassweee
L-9140 Bourscheid
Phone : (+352) 99 03 57-1Fax : (+352) 99 03 57-565Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00; Monday: 14.00 - 18.00; Tuesday to Friday: 14.00 - 16.00 (except on Wednesdays) -
Bous-Waldbredimus20, rue Luxembourg
L-5408 Bous
Phone : (+352) 28 86 04 01Fax : (+352) 28 86 04 109 -
ClervauxMontée du Château
L-9712 Clervaux
Postal address :
B.P. 35 L-9701 Clervaux
Phone : (+352) 27 800-1Fax : (+352) 27 800-900Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 11.30; mardi à vendredi: 14.00 - 16.30; mercredi ouvert jusqu'à 19.00 (uniquement bureau de la population, sauf la veille d'un jour férié) -
Colmar-Berg5, rue de la Poste
L-7730 Colmar-Berg
Postal address :
B.P. 10 L-7701 Colmar-Berg
Phone : (+352) 83 55 43-1Fax : (+352) 83 55 43-225Monday to Thursday: 08.00 - 12.00; Monday: 13.00 - 17.00; Wednesday: 13.00 - 18.30 (closed on Fridays) -
Consdorf8, route d'Echternach
L-6212 Consdorf
Phone : (+352) 79 00 37-1Fax : (+352) 79 04 31Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00; open until 18.00 on Tuesdays -
Contern4, Place de la Mairie
L-5310 Contern
Phone : (+352) 35 02 61Fax : (+352) 35 72 36Monday-Friday: 08.00 - 11.45 and 13.00 - 16.45 / Population office: Wednesday: 07.00 - 11.45 and 13.00 - 16.45 -
DalheimGemengeplaz
L-5680 Dalheim
Phone : (+352) 23 60 53-25Fax : (+352) 23 60 53-50Monday, Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 17.00; Tuesday, Thursday: 07.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 17.00; Wednesday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 17.00 -
Diekirch27, avenue de la Gare
L-9233 Diekirch
Postal address :
B.P. 145 L-9202 Diekirch
Phone : (+352) 80 87 80-1Fax : (+352) 80 87 80-250Lundi à vendredi: 08.30 - 11.30 et 14.00 - 16.30 / Bureau de la population et état civil: mercredi jusqu'à 18.00 -
Differdange40, avenue Charlotte
L-4530 Differdange
Postal address :
B.P. 12 L-4501 Differdange
Phone : (+352) 58 77 1-11Fax : (+352) 58 77 1-1210Monday and Friday: 07.30 - 12.00 and 13.30 - 17.00 / the "Biergeramt" is also open on Saturdays: 09.00 - 11.00 -
Dippach11, rue de l'Eglise
L-4994 Schouweiler
Postal address :
B.P. 59 L-4901 Bascharage
Phone : (+352) 27 95 25-200Fax : (+352) 27 95 25-299Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.00; open until 18.00 on Mondays; Wednesday from 07.30 -
DudelangePlace de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-3590 Dudelange
Postal address :
B.P. 73 L-3401 Dudelange
Phone : (+352) 51 61 21 -1Fax : (+352) 51 61 21-299Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00; Wednesday: 8.00-12.00 and 13.00-19.00; Thursday: 8.00-17.00 -
Echternach2, place du Marché
L-6460 Echternach
Postal address :
B.P. 22 L-6401 Echternach
Phone : (+352) 72 92 22-1Fax : (+352) 72 92 22-51Lundi à jeudi: 08.30 -11.30 et 14.00 - 16.30 ; vendredi: 08.30 - 13.00 heures / Bureau de la population et état civil: lundi ouvert jusqu’à 19.00 -
Ell27, Haaptstrooss
L-8530 Ell
Postal address :
B.P. 9 L-8501 Redange/Attert
Phone : (+352) 26 62 38-1Fax : (+352) 26 62 38-55Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.15 - 11.45; Thursday: 14.00 - 18.30 -
Erpeldange sur Sûre21, Porte des Ardennes
L-9145 Erpeldange-sur-Sûre
Postal address :
B.P. 39 L-9001 Ettelbruck
Phone : (+352) 81 26 74-1Fax : (+352) 81 97 08Monday: 07.30 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 18.00; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 07.30 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.30 -
Esch sur AlzettePlace de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-4002 Esch-sur-Alzette
Postal address :
B.P. 145 L-4002 Esch-sur-Alzette
Phone : (+352) 2754 1Fax : (+352) 54 35 14 667Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 17.00 ("Biergeramt") -
Esch-sur-Sûre1, an der Gaass
L-9150 Eschdorf
Phone : (+352) 83 91 12-1Fax : (+352) 83 91 12-25Monday to Thursday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.30 ; open until 18.30 on Mondays, Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 -
EttelbruckPlace de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-9087 Ettelbruck
Postal address :
B.P. 116 L-9002 Ettelbruck
Phone : (+352) 81 91 81-1Fax : (+352) 81 91 81-364Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30; open until 18.30 on Wednesdays -
Feulen25, route de Bastogne
L-9176 Niederfeulen
Phone : (+352) 81 27 47-1Fax : (+352) 81 79 08Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 (closed on Thursday morning); Monday, Wednesday: 13.00 - 17.00; Thursday: 13.00 - 19.00 -
Fischbach1, rue de l'Eglise
L-7430 Fischbach
Phone : (+352) 32 70 84-1Fax : (+352) 32 70 84-50Monday and Friday: 08.30 - 11.30; Thursday: 14.00 - 18.00 -
Flaxweiler1, rue de Berg
L-6926 Flaxweiler
Phone : (+352) 77 02 04-1Fax : (+352) 77 08 33Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00 -
Frisange10, Munnerëferstrooss
L-5701 Frisange
Postal address :
B.P. 12 L-5701 Aspelt
Phone : (+352) 23 66 84 08-1Fax : (+352) 23 66 06 88Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.00 (closed on Friday afternoon); Tuesday: 07.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 16.00; Thursday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.00 - 18.30 -
Garnich15, rue de l'Ecole
L-8353 Garnich
Phone : (+352) 38 00 19-1Fax : (+352) 38 00 19 90Monday-Friday: 08.30-11.30; Monday: 14.00 - 18.00; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 14.00 - 16.00 -
Goesdorf1, Op der Driicht
L-9653 Goesdorf
Phone : (+352) 83 92 70Fax : (+352) 89 91 73Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 08.30 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 18.00; closed on Thursday at 17.00 -
Grevenmacher6, Place du Marché
L-6755 Grevenmacher
Postal address :
B.P. 5 L-6701 Grevenmacher
Phone : (+352) 75 03 11-1Fax : (+352) 75 03 11-80Sécrétariat et recette communale: lundi à mercredi: 08.30 - 11.40 et 13.10 - 16.00; jeudi ouvert jusqu’à 18.00; vendredi ouvert jusqu’à 15.00 / Service du citoyen: 08.30 - 11.40 et 13.10 - 16.00; jeudi ouvert jusqu’à 19.00; vendredi ouvert jusqu’à 15.00 -
Grousbous-Wahl1, rue de Bastogne
L-9154 Grosbous
Postal address :
B.P. 7 L-9006 Grosbous
Phone : (+352) 83 80 22-1Fax : (+352) 83 86 55 -
HabschtPlace Denn
L-8465 Eischen
Phone : (+352) 39 01 33-1Fax : (+352) 39 01 33-209Maison communale à Eischen: lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 12.00; lundi, jeudi, vendredi: 13.00 - 17.00; mardi: 13.00 - 19.00 / Bureau communal à Hobscheid: mercredi: 10.00 - 12.00 / Bureau communal à Septfontaines: mercredi: 13.30 - 16.30 -
Heffingen2, am Duerf
L-7651 Heffingen
Phone : (+352) 83 71 68-1Fax : (+352) 87 97 54Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00 ; Tuesday from 07.00, open until 19.00 on Thursdays -
Helperknapp2, rue de Hollenfels
L-7481 Tuntange
Phone : (+352) 28 80 40-1Fax : (+352) 28 80 40-299Monday: 08.00 – 11.30 / Tuesday: 07.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 / Wednesday: 08.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 (* Nocturne every first Wednesday of the month until 18.30 / Thursday: 08.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 (** Thursday afternoon by appointment only) / Friday: 08.00 – 11.30. -
Hesperange474, route de Thionville
L-5886 Hesperange
Postal address :
B.P. 10 L-5801 Hesperange
Phone : (+352) 36 08 08-1Fax : (+352) 36 00 06Monday to Friday: 07.45 - 11.45 and 13.30 - 17.00; open until 18.00 on Thursdays -
Junglinster12, rue de Bourglinster
L-6112 Junglinster
Postal address :
B.P. 14 L-6101 Junglinster
Phone : (+352) 78 72 72-1Fax : (+352) 78 83 19Lundi à vendredi: 08.00 - 11.30 et 13.00 - 16.30 / Bureau de la population: ouvert jeudi jusqu'à 19.00 (sauf la veille d'un jour férié) -
Käerjeng24, rue de l'Eau
L-4920 Bascharage
Postal address :
B.P. 50 L-4901 Bascharage
Phone : (+352) 50 05 52-1Fax : (+352) 50 05 52 399Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.00 (or by appointment) -
Kayl4, rue de l'Hôtel de Ville
L-3674 Kayl
Postal address :
B.P. 56 L-3601 Kayl
Phone : (+352) 56 66 66-1Fax : (+352) 56 33 23"Biergerzenter": Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30 and 13.30 - 16.30; open until 18.30 on Wednesdays -
Kehlen15, rue de Mamer
L-8280 Kehlen
Phone : (+352) 30 91 91-1Fax : (+352) 30 91 91-200Monday-Friday: 07.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00