Each national of a third country (i.e. a country that is neither a Member State of the European Union (EU) nor considered equivalent to an EU Member State) and who:

• resides abroad; and
• wishes to:
  • establish their residence in Luxembourg; and
  • work there as a self-employed person.

Moreover, in order to be granted an authorisation to stay as a self-employed worker, you must:

• provide proof of required qualifications to carry out the planned activity and, where applicable, in order to be registered with the respective professional body in the relevant professional register;
• where applicable, ensure you fulfil the conditions set out by law to access the professions of craftsman, trader, manufacturer and certain liberal professions;
• provide proof that you have sufficient resources to carry out the planned activity in Luxembourg;
• ensure that the activity carried out serves the interests of the country in terms of social or cultural interest, or economic benefit, i.e.:
  • as a response to an economic need;
  • in terms of integration in the national or local economic context;
  • in terms of viability and sustainability of the business project;
  • in terms of creating jobs;
  • in terms of investments, namely in research and development of innovative activities or specialisation;
  • the activity must be of such nature that it requires the presence on Luxembourg territory of the third-country national in order to ensure the day-to-day management of the company.

Before applying for a temporary authorisation to stay, the applicant must fulfil the conditions of access to the profession concerned:

• if the self-employed activity requires a business permit, you must include in your application the agreement in principle from the Ministry of the Economy regarding the issuance of the business permit;
• if the activity requires other authorisations, accreditations or registrations, you must attach a copy of your authorisation or registration/accreditation to your application for an authorisation to stay, or the agreement in principle from the competent authority.

Supporting documents

You must submit a copy of the following documents with your application:

• the applicant’s valid passport, showing all pages;
• the required form, duly completed (see 'Online services and forms'); 
• a curriculum vitae;
• diplomas or professional qualifications required to carry out the planned activity;
• an extract from the criminal record of your current country of residence (if you are of legal age), dated within the last 3 months, or an affidavit if there is a justified reason why a criminal record extract cannot be obtained;
• in the case of an activity subject to a business permit, the Ministry of the Economy's agreement in principle (see template under 3.3.):
  • for any business in the following sectors: retail, liberal professions, industry, food, fashion, health and hygiene, engineering, construction, communications, multimedia and the performing arts, and arts and crafts: a licence to practise must first be requested from the Ministry of the Economy. Here (French, Pdf, 236 Kb) you can find a comprehensive list of occupations subject to a business permit;
• in the case of a takeover of a business, the balance sheets and profit and loss accounts for the past 3 financial years;
• a business and a financing plan;
• proof that you have the necessary economic resources to carry out your business project (bank statement, detailed financial portfolio);
• a valid residence permit issued by another EU Member State if the applicant is already resident in the Schengen Area;
• travel health insurance valid throughout the territories of the Schengen Area Member States and covering, for the entire duration of the visa applied for:
  • medical treatment costs, including hospitalisation costs;
  • repatriation costs for medical reasons;
  • funeral costs.

Time limit for a response

In principle, the time limit for a response is a maximum of 3 months.

If you do not receive a response within this period, you may consider your application to have been rejected.

Procedures

Links