In order to be able to broadcast a Luxembourg audiovisual or audio service, applicants must first obtain a licence.

The Communications and media service (Service des médias et des communications) processes licence applications for:

• services broadcast over the air (terrestrial radio);
• services by cable in Luxembourg;
• services via satellite in Luxembourg.

The Independent Luxembourg broadcasting authority (Autorité luxembourgeoise indépendante de l'audiovisuel - ALIA) processes licence applications for the following Luxembourg broadcast services:

• local radio stations, and;
• radio transmission networks.

Who is concerned

All natural or legal persons can apply for a licence for:

• a Luxembourg service broadcast over the air, or;
• a Luxembourg service by cable.

 All legal entities under Luxembourg law can apply for a licence for:

• a Luxembourg service via satellite;
• a radio transmission network, or;
• a local radio.

Preliminary steps

If the programme is of a commercial nature, applicants must hold a business permit or have applied for one to the Ministry of the Economy.

How to proceed

Radio broadcasting over the air

Barring exceptions, licences for broadcasting over the air are granted after a public call for proposals which states:

• the available frequencies and slots, with their respective characteristics;
• the information to be provided by applicants and the selection criteria of the beneficiaries;
• the conditions to be met by the beneficiary and the service proposed;
• the deadline for the submissions.

In order to obtain a licence, applicants or their representatives must send an application to the Communications and media service in 2 copies or an electronic version, including:

• the application form for the service broadcast over the air (the form will be published after the public call for proposals);
• all the supporting documents requested in the call for proposals.

Service distributed by cable

In order to obtain a licence, applicants or their representatives must send an application to the Communications and media service in 2 copies or an electronic version, including:

• the application form for a service distributed by cable (TV and radio);
• all the supporting documents requested in the form.

Service broadcast via satellite

In order to obtain a licence, applicants or their representatives must send an application to the Communications and media service in 2 copies or an electronic version, including:

• the application form for a service broadcast via satellite (TV and radio);
• all the supporting documents requested in the form.

Local radios and radio transmission networks

Barring exceptions, permits for local radios and radio transmission networks are granted after a public call for proposals which indicates:

• the available frequencies and slots, with their respective characteristics;
• the information to be provided by applicants and, where applicable, the selection criteria of the beneficiaries;
• the conditions to be met by the beneficiary and the service proposed;
• the deadline for the submissions.

In order to obtain a permit, applicants or their representatives must send an electronic application to the Independent Luxembourg broadcasting authority (Autorité luxembourgeoise indépendante de l'audiovisuel - ALIA), including:

• the application for an audio broadcasting service;
• all the supporting documents requested in the form.

Specifications

Every licence comes with specifications stating the operating conditions to be respected.

They contain, among others, provisions on:

• Royalties to be paid to the Public Treasury and the cultural services to be ensured for the country's interest, where applicable;
• the surveillance of the content by the Independent Luxembourg broadcasting authority (ALIA);
• limitations regarding advertising messages;
• the obligation to keep the facilities at the disposal of the State for free for the dissemination of official statements or information relating to human safety and police needs.

Validity of the licence

The licence can be used for one or more services and can, if needed, include exclusive elements for a limited duration.

It is personal, not transferable and of limited duration.

It may be renewed for the same beneficiary without a new call for proposals. In such case, the provisions of the new licence may vary from the ones that applied previously.

The authorities can withdraw the licence at any time if:

• either the conditions required to obtain the licence are no longer met;
• or the specifications are no longer respected;
• or it is not used on a regular basis.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact