Regulated healthcare professions
Last update
The exercise of certain health professions in Luxembourg (known as regulated healthcare professions) is subject to receiving an licence to practise beforehand.
This licence to practise is issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Security.
Who is concerned?
Target audience
If you want to set up and work in Luxembourg, you must be a national of:
- an EU Member State; or
- a State of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), or Switzerland; or
- a third country.
If you are a third-country national, you must also:
- have a valid residence permit; or
- have been granted international protection.
If you are banned (temporarily or permanently) from practising in the country where you last practised your profession, you cannot practise in Luxembourg either. The same applies if disqualification proceedings are currently under way against you.
Professions concerned
The professions concerned are:
- nursing auxiliary / healthcare assistant (aide-soignant);
- social and hygiene worker (assistant d’hygiène sociale);
- social worker (assistant social);
- surgical assistant (assistant technique médical de chirurgie);
- medical laboratory assistant (assistant technique médical de laboratoire);
- radiology technician (assistant technique médical de radiologie);
- dietician (diététicien);
- occupational therapist (ergothérapeute);
- nurse (infirmier);
- anaesthetics and intensive care nurse (infirmier en anesthésie et réanimation);
- paediatric nurse (infirmier en pédiatrie);
- head nurse (infirmier gradué);
- psychiatric nurse (infirmier psychiatrique);
- laboratory assistant (laborantin);
- masseur (masseur);
- physiotherapist (masseur-kinésithérapeute);
- speech therapist (orthophoniste);
- orthoptist (orthoptiste);
- osteopath (ostéopathe);
- curative teacher (pédagogue curatif);
- chiropodist (podologue);
- psychomotor therapist (rééducateur en psychomotricité);
- midwife (sage-femme);
Prerequisites
Whatever healthcare profession you may be considering, you need to meet a number of conditions:
- hold a Luxembourg or foreign diploma giving you access to the intended profession;
- have the necessary linguistic skills required (see below) to practise the profession:
- either Luxembourgish;
- French;
- or German;
- understand one of the 3 administrative languages of Luxembourg (German, French or Luxembourgish).
Preliminary steps
Diplomas and recognition of diplomas
If you hold a Luxembourg diploma, you can apply for a licence to practise directly to the Ministry of Health and Social Security.
If the diploma was not obtained in Luxembourg, you must apply for recognition of your professional qualifications.
General care nurses and midwives holding evidence of formal qualification as referred to in Annex 5.2.2. or 5.5.2. of Directive 2005/36/EC are exempt from the recognition procedure and may directly apply for a licence to practise to the Ministry of Health and Social Security.
General care nurses and midwives whose formal qualifications are not compliant with the aforementioned Directive, as well as all other health professions listed above under 'Professions concerned', must submit their application for recognition:
- if they have obtained a secondary school graduation diploma, of equivalent or lower level: to the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MENEJ); or
- if they have obtained a diploma higher than the secondary school graduation diploma: to the Ministry for Research and Higher Education (MESR).
Language abilities required
As a healthcare professional, you must have the language skills needed to practise your profession in Luxembourg.
Your disciplinary, civil and criminal liability may be incurred if, owing to insufficient language abilities, you make a mistake in the performance of your duties.
If your mother tongue is not French, German or Luxembourgish, you must provide proof of your language skills in order to be authorised to practise.
The minimum level of language abilities required with respect to French or German is equivalent to the Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The level can be proven by any means such as:
- a copy of the training certificates obtained in one of these 2 languages;
- proof of professional experience in a French or German speaking country.
If you cannot supply any of the above proof, you must provide a level B2 language proficiency certificate issued by an approved examination centre.
In Luxembourg, the approved examination centre is the National Institute for Languages Luxembourg (Institut national des langues Luxembourg - INLL).
Costs
Applications for a licence to practise require prior payment of a fee of EUR 75 for each licence to practise and each intended profession.
When applications are submitted online through MyGuichet.lu, the fee must be paid online. The EUR 75 fee must be paid by credit card at the end of the procedure, and is mandatory to complete the application. Therefore, if you have already made the payment by bank transfer, you should send your application by post.
Note: fees will not be reimbursed if the Ministry of Health and Social Security refuses to grant the licence to practise, or if you withdraw your application.
How to proceed
Applying for the licence to practise
You can apply for your licence to practise online via MyGuichet.lu (see 'Online services and forms').
The application procedure can be accessed:
- with authentication, using a LuxTrust product or an electronic ID card (eID); or
- without authentication.
The procedure with authentication has several advantages compared to the procedure without authentication. In particular, it allows you to temporarily save any data that you have already entered so that you can access it at a later date.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive any related messages/notifications by email.
Supporting documents
You must include the following supporting documents with your application:
- a copy of your valid identity document, and, if you are a third-country national:
- a copy of a valid residence permit; or
- a document certifying that you are a beneficiary of international protection;
- an extract from the criminal record of your country of residence (no more than 3 months old). If you have been resident in the country in question for less than one year, you must enclose an extract from the criminal record of the country or countries in which you practised your profession before;
- a certificate of good mental and physical health issued by a licensed doctor (no more than 3 months old);
- a copy of your Luxembourgish or foreign diploma;
- where applicable, a copy of the official decree attesting the recognition of the professional qualifications;
- if your mother tongue is not French, German or Luxembourgish, you must provide proof of your language skills.
Translations of documents
Any documents that are not drawn up in French, German or Luxembourgish must be accompanied by their French, German or Luxembourgish translation produced by a sworn/certified translator.
Processing the application
After the application for the licence to practise (or the application for renewal) has been examined, you will receive the decision by post.
To speed up the processing of your application, you should ensure that you have added all the required information and supporting documents to your file.
Lapsing of the licence
The licence to practise will lapse if you do not start practising your profession in Luxembourg within 2 years of the issuance of the licence.
The same applies if you cease your professional activity in Luxembourg for a duration of more than 2 years.
The invalidated licence to practise can be renewed upon request.
Application for a renewal of the licence to practise
You can submit your application for renewal online using MyGuichet.lu (see the section 'Online services and forms').
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive any related messages/notifications by email.
Supporting documents
You must include the following supporting documents with your application for renewal:
- a copy of your valid identity document, and, if you are a third-country national:
- a copy of a valid residence permit; or
- a document certifying that you are a beneficiary of international protection;
- an extract from the criminal record of your country of residence (no more than 3 months old). If you have been resident in the country in question for less than one year, you must enclose an extract from the criminal record of the country or countries in which you practised your profession before;
- a certificate of good mental and physical health issued by a licensed doctor (dated less than 3 months prior to the application);
Translations of documents
Any documents that are not drawn up in French, German or Luxembourgish must be accompanied by their French, German or Luxembourgish translation produced by a sworn/certified translator.
Processing the application
After the application for the licence to practise (or the application for renewal) has been examined, you will receive the decision by post.
To speed up the processing of your application, you should ensure that you have added all the required information and supporting documents to your file.
Work reintegration internship
If you have not exercised your profession for at least 5 years, you must complete a reintegration training course before returning to work.
You must inform the Minister of Health and Social Security of your intention to complete such a training, and state:
- the number of years of inactivity;
- the workplace and department you wish to reintegrate;
- if you have taken part in continuing education courses in your field of work.
The Minister will provide you with:
- the number of hours of practical training to attend;
- the number of lesson hours you must attend ;
- an internship agreement.
The internship agreement must be signed between the intern, the internship supervisor, the representative of the place of training, and the Minister of Health and Social Security.
The internship supervisor must have at least 5 years of professional experience in the same profession as the professional taking the reintegration training course.
Possibilities of appeal in the event of refusal
The applicant may appeal the decision by filing the appeal with the administrative tribunal within 3 months of being notified of the decision.
Penalties
You are liable to imprisonment from 8 days to 3 months, as well as a fine of EUR 251 to EUR 5,000:
- in the event of unauthorised practise of your profession; or
- if the authorisation was obtained based on fraudulent declarations.
Register of healthcare professions
As a reminder, the health professionals' contact details are listed in the register of healthcare professions.
You are therefore required, under penalty of disciplinary sanctions, to regularly update your contact information in the register if your situation changes (employer, occupation rate, address of the medical practice, email address, telephone number, etc.).
Requesting duplicates
A copy of the licence to practise can be obtained against payment of a EUR 10 fee. Applications should be made by post or email to the Ministry of Health and Social Security, and should include:
- proof of payment of the EUR 10 fee; and
- a copy of your identity document.
The fee must be paid by wire transfer on the following account:
IBAN: LU13 1111 0011 4679 0000
BIC: CCPLLULL
Name of the beneficiary: Administration de l’enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA
Communication: DUPLICATA + the professional's name
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Ministry of Health and Social Security
-
Ministry of Health and Social Security Ministry of Health and Social Security
- Address:
- 1, rue Charles Darwin L-1433 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 85505
- Email address:
- professions.sante@ms.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://msan.gouvernement.lu/fr.html
National Institute for Languages Luxembourg
-
National Institute for Languages Luxembourg
- Address:
- 21, boulevard de la Foire L -1528 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 44 30 - 1
- Website:
- http://www.inll.lu/en/
Open Closes at 17.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 17.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 19.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 16.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 19.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 17.00
Monday and Thursday from 8.00 to 19.00 / Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.00 to 17.00 / Friday from 8.00 to 16.00. Opening hours may vary during school holidays.
You can contact the INLL via the following link: http://www.inll.lu/en/contact/formulaire-de-contact/ -
National Institute for Languages Luxembourg - Belval - Maison du savoir
- Address:
- 2, avenue de l'Université L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 46 66 44 - 9491
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 44 30 - 330
- Website:
- http://www.inll.lu/en/
From Monday to Thursday from 8.00 to 18.00 / Friday from 8.00 to 12.30 and from 13.30 to 16.00. Opening hours may vary during school holidays. You can contact the INLL via the following link: http://www.inll.lu/en/contact/formulaire-de-contact/ -
National Institute for Languages Luxembourg - Mersch
- Address:
- 57, rue Grande-Duchesse Charlotte L-7520 Mersch Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 26 44 30 - 500
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 32 45 - 45
- Website:
- http://www.inll.lu/en/
From 8.00 to 12.15 and from 13.45 to 17.00 (except on Fridays until 16.00). Opening hours may vary during school holidays. You can contact the INLL via the following link: http://www.inll.lu/en/contact/formulaire-de-contact/
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Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Travailler dans la santé
sur Sante.lu
-
Reconnaissance de diplômes des professions de santé
sur le site du ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche
Legal references
- Code de la santé
-
Loi modifiée du 26 mars 1992
sur l'exercice et la revalorisation de certaines professions de santé
-
Loi modifiée du 28 octobre 2016
relative à la reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles
-
Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 14 septembre 2006
fixant les modalités de l'enseignement théorique et pratique de réintégration des professionnels de la santé ayant cessé l'exercice de leur profession
-
Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 8 avril 2000
fixant la procédure à suivre pour obtenir l'autorisation d'exercer au Grand-Duché certaines professions de santé
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