Acquiring Luxembourgish nationality by naturalisation
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.
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.
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.
Applicants can determine which nationality acquisition procedure applies to their case with the help of a decision tree.
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.
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.
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
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 to Friday: 08.00 - 11.30; Monday: 13.00 - 16.30 / the Population Office is open until 19.00 on Wednesdays -
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 -
Kiischpelt7, op der Gare
L-9776 Wilwerwiltz
Phone : (+352) 92 14 45Fax : (+352) 92 06 15Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 11.30 and 14.00 - 16.30 -
Koerich2, rue du Château
L-8385 Koerich
Phone : (+352) 39 02 56-1Fax : (+352) 39 73 62Monday to Friday: 08.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00; open until 19.00 on Wednesdays -
Kopstal28, rue de Saeul
L-8189 Kopstal
Phone : (+352) 30 01 71-1Fax : (+352) 30 04 15Monday to Friday: 07.30 - 12.00 and 13.30 - 16.00