British nationals ceased to be considered EU citizens on 1 February 2020. However, the rules on the free movement of persons will continue to apply to British nationals and their family members until the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement reached by the United Kingdom and the European Union.

They are still entitled to reside in Luxembourg not only during but also after the end of the transition period.

Although entitlement to residence and the associated rights will remain similar to those they currently enjoy as EU citizens, they will be required to obtain a new residence document attesting that they are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement; this will replace the current residence permit.

Who is concerned

The following must apply for the new residence document:

• British nationals residing in Luxembourg at the end of the transition period (i.e. prior to 1 January 2021);
  
• nationals of third countries who are family members of a British national and residing in Luxembourg at the end of the transition period (i.e. before 1 January 2021);
• British nationals and their family members who already benefit from the right of residence or the right of permanent residence in Luxembourg and who are temporarily away at the end of the transition period.
  

The following persons are deemed to be family members:

• the applicant's spouse (husband/wife);
  
• the registered partner;
  
• any unmarried children under the age of 18 of the British national and/or his/her spouse/partner, on condition that they are in their custody and care. In the event of joint custody, the other custodian must have given consent;
  
• any unmarried adult children of the British national and/or his/her spouse/partner, as long as they are not eligible for any other category of residence permit (for people in paid employment, students, etc.). In this last case, the sponsor – i.e. the person on whom the family member depends – must be able to prove that his/her monthly financial resources amount to at least the social minimum wage;
  
• the direct relatives in the ascending line (parents) of the sponsor or his/her spouse/partner, as long as they are not eligible for any other category of residence permit (for people in paid employment, people with own adequate income/financial resources, etc.). In this last case, the sponsor – i.e. the person on whom the family member depends – must be able to prove that his/her monthly financial resources amount to at least the social minimum wage.
  

The following persons are not required to apply for a new residence document:

• British nationals who also hold the nationality (dual nationality) of one of the European Union Member States or one of the other states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or the Swiss Confederation. These persons are not required to apply for a new residence document, but they are free to do so if they so choose;
  
• the family members of a British national who themselves have the nationality of a European Union Member State, or one of the other states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or the Swiss Confederation. These persons are not required to apply for a new residence document, but they are free to do so if they so choose;
  
• British nationals who have:
  
  • a diplomatic card (carte diplomatique); or
    
  • a legitimation card (carte de légitimation); or
    
  • another residence document issued for members of the resident diplomatic and consular corps as well as for officials and other agents of the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union and international organisations with their headquarters or established in Luxembourg.

Prerequisites

To be entitled to a new residence document, applicants must be entitled to reside in the Grand Duchy at the time of application.

Deadlines

Applications for a new residence document must be submitted within 12 months of the end of the transition period provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement, i.e. 31 December 2020 - so no later than 31 December 2021.

Applications may be submitted from 1 July 2020.

How to proceed

Filing an application

Applicants must fill in and sign a residence document application form and send it by post to the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Direction de l’Immigration du ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes).

To facilitate the processing of applications, all members of the same family (e.g. spouses and children) are asked to submit their residence permit applications together, at the same time.

Supporting documents

Applicants must include the following valid supporting document to their application:

• for British nationals: a copy of their ID card or passport;
  
• for third country nationals who are family members of a British national: a full copy of their passport (all pages).
  

Application processing time

Applications are processed in order of receipt.

When their application has been processed, applicants will receive a letter inviting them to make an appointment with the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in order to have their photograph and fingerprints taken, which will be incorporated into the residence permit. The applicant may also bring a recent photograph compliant with OACI/ICAO standards ('biometric passport standards').

A few days after the biometric data have been collected, the applicant can pick up the residence permit in person at the Immigration Directorate, by appointment.

The residence document takes the form of a chip card containing biometric data.

Validity period

The new residence document will be valid from the first day after the end of the transition period - in principle, then, from 1 January 2021. The duration of validity of the residence document varies according to the type of document it replaces (either 5 or 10 years).

As long as the conditions for obtaining the residence document continue to be met, it will be renewable on request.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact