Staying in Luxembourg for less than 90 days as a third-country national
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Third-country nationals who wish to either stay in the Schengen area for a period of 90 days, or transit through it, must:
- before entering the country:
- carry a valid travel document. This document must be valid for at least 3 months after the date on which they plan to leave the territory of the Member States of the European Union (EU).
- if they are subject to a short-stay visa requirement to enter the Schengen area:
- apply for a short-stay visa at the relevant diplomatic or consular representation;
For further information on short-stay visas, please consult the following link: Short-stay Schengen visa (maximum 90 days within a 180-day period).
- after entering the country:
- either make a declaration of arrival in their commune of temporary residence;
- or complete an accommodation form at the establishment where they are staying (hotel, guest room, etc.).
The eTracking function for hardcopy (paper) forms is a feature of this process. This option allows users to track the progress of administrative procedures by email and/or by SMS.
Who is concerned
Third-country nationals (who are not EU citizens and are not treated as EU Member State nationals – Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) who wish to stay in Luxembourg for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period for:
- tourism or to visit family or friends (without undertaking work);
- business and official visits;
- other reasons for travel, such as: culture, sports, studies, medical reasons, etc.
All third-country nationals who wish to work in Luxembourg for a period of less than 90 days must first apply for a work permit to the General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Specific case: a third-country national wishing to come to Luxembourg to get married
Third-country nationals wishing to marry an EU or third-country national legally residing in Luxembourg must follow the usual procedures for a short stay. They must also:
- apply for a short-stay visa, if necessary; and
- meet the conditions for entry and short-term stay.
Prerequisites
Before coming to Luxembourg, third-country nationals must:
- check whether or not they have to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen area;
- carry a recognised and valid travel document. The validity must be at least 3 months beyond the date on which they plan to leave the territory of the EU Member States in order to enter the territory legally;
- not be listed in the Schengen Information System (SIS);
- not be subject to a decision prohibiting entry into the territory;
- not be considered as a threat to public order, national security, public health or international relations of Luxembourg or one of the signatory States of an international convention on the crossing of external borders and binding Luxembourg;
- be able to document the object and conditions of the intended stay;
- be in possession of sufficient personal resources, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence and/or transit to a third country (or provide evidence of the possibility of acquiring such resources legally);
- have travel medical insurance that covers:
- a minimum of EUR 30,000 in medical expenses, valid for the duration of the planned stay; and
- all risks within the Schengen area.
Additional documents may also be requested by consulates.
Third-country nationals who meet the above conditions are granted authorisation to stay in Luxembourg and the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How to proceed
Before entering the country
If the third-country national is not subject to visa requirements
Third-country nationals (not family members of an EU citizen) who are not subject to visa requirements must, to meet the conditions to enter and stay, provide the following documents when entering the country:
- carry a recognised and valid travel document. The validity must be at least 3 months beyond the date on which they plan to leave the territory of the EU Member States in order to enter the territory legally;
- in case of a control at the outside border of the Schengen area, supporting documents proving:
- the purpose of the trip: official letter of invitation for a business trip, hotel reservation, return airline ticket, etc.;
- be in possession of sufficient personal resources, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence and/or transit to a third country (or provide evidence of the possibility of acquiring such resources legally).
Financial statement of support
The financial statement of support may be made either:
- online via the 'Application for a formal obligation for a short stay in Luxembourg' procedure on MyGuichet.lu. This is a procedure with authentication that requires:
- a LuxTrust product; or
- an electronic identity card (eID);
- in paper format by completing the required form. This procedure requires:
- legalisation of the guarantor's signature by the authorities in their place of residence;
- the approval of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
The following supporting documents must be attached to the application:
- a copy of the guarantor's passport/identity card data page, and, in the case of third-country nationals, a copy of their residence permit;
- the guarantor's last three payslips (or any other document certifying monthly income) and/or any other additional monthly income and, where applicable, any proof of financial assistance, without resorting to the social assistance system;
- a copy of the data page of the passport of the financially supported person.
After approval of the financial statement of support, the third-country national concerned has six months from the date of approval to make use of it.
Please note: approval of the financial statement of support:
- does not constitute an authorisation to enter or reside in Luxembourg; and
- does not prejudge the decision that will be made regarding the short stay visa application.
If the third-country national is subject to visa requirements
Third-country nationals subject to visa requirements must submit a visa application before travelling, from their country of origin:
- to the Luxembourg diplomatic or consular body in their country of origin; or
- failing that, to the embassy or consulate of the country in the Schengen area which represents Luxembourg for the issuance of visas.
Possession of a valid visa does not in itself confer an automatic right of entry into the territory of EU Member States, in accordance with article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009.
It is advisable to renew your travel document before entering Luxembourg if it expires in less than 6 months.
If the non-EU national has a valid residence permit for family members of an EU citizen or a valid residence permit issued by another Schengen area Member State, no visa is required.
After entering the country
Within 3 days of arriving in Luxembourg, third-country nationals are required to complete the following formalities:
- either make a declaration of arrival at the communal administration where they will be staying by presenting, in particular: a valid travel document accompanied, where applicable, by a visa, residence card or residence permit issued by another EU Member State;
- or complete an accommodation form at the establishment where they are staying. It serves as a declaration of arrival.
The maximum duration of the stay in the Schengen area is limited to 90 days over a 180-day period from the date of entry into the Schengen area.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Directorate of Consular Affairs and International Cultural Relations
- Address:
- 6, rue de l’Ancien Athénée L-1144 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 88 300
- Email address:
- service.passeports@mae.etat.lu
- Email address:
- service.visas@mae.etat.lu
- Email address:
- service.legalisation@mae.etat.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Luxembourg diplomatic and consular missions
on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
-
List of countries whose citizens require a visa
on the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
-
Travel documents for non-EU family members
on Your Europe
Legal references
-
Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009
establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
-
Loi modifiée du 29 août 2008
portant sur la libre circulation des personnes et l'immigration
-
Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 5 septembre 2008
portant exécution de certaines dispositions relatives aux formalités administratives prévues par la loi du 29 août 2008 sur la libre circulation des personnes et l'immigration
