Application for recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad (access to a regulated profession at a higher education level)

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Summary:

In order to exercise a regulated profession in Luxembourg, you must apply for professional recognition of your qualification(s) obtained abroad. You must wait for this application to be accepted before applying to the relevant ministry for a licence to practise or for the authorisation of establishment.

Recognition of professional qualifications
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The exercise of certain professions in Luxembourg (known as 'regulated professions') is subject to first receiving a licence to practise from the competent ministry. In some cases, the recognition of professional qualifications is a prerequisite for obtaining a licence to practise.

The Ministry of Research and Higher Education (Ministère de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement supérieur – MRES) is responsible for the recognition of foreign higher education degrees for access to regulated professions.

For sector-specific professions (nurse responsible for general care, midwife and architect), holders of evidence of formal qualifications referred to in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC are exempt from the recognition procedure. They may apply directly to the competent ministry for a licence to practise.

Please note that:

  • recognition of professional qualifications:
    • is intended solely for access to a regulated profession;
    • does not confer the right to use an academic title; and
    • does not provide information on the level of the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework (cadre luxembourgeois des qualifications – CLQ); 
  • access to the regulated profession of lawyer via the Cours complémentaires en droit luxembourgeois (CCDL) still requires the completion of the procedure for the approval of law degrees.

Who is concerned

The professions concerned that fall under the regulatory authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Security are the following:

  • health professions:
    • social worker (assistant social);
    • surgical assistant, medical laboratory assistant, radiology technician (assistant technique médical en chirurgie, assistant technique médical de laboratoire, assistant technique médical de radiologie);
    • dietician (diététicien);
    • occupational therapist (ergothérapeute);
    • nurse, anaesthetics and intensive care nurse, head nurse, paediatric nurse, psychiatric nurse (infirmier, infirmier en anesthésie et réanimation, infirmer gradué, infirmier en pédiatrie, infirmier psychiatrique);
    • laboratory assistant (laborantin);
    • physiotherapist (masseur-kinésithérapeute);
    • speech therapist (orthophoniste);
    • osteopath (ostéopathe);
    • orthoptist (orthoptiste);
    • curative teacher (pédagogue curatif);
    • chiropodist (podologue);
    • psychomotor therapist (rééducateur en psychomotricité);
    • midwife (sage-femme);
  • psychotherapist(psychothérapeute).

The professions concerned that fall under the regulatory authority of the General Directorate for SME, Craft and Retail (Direction générale PME, artisanat et commerce) of the Ministry of the Economy are the following:

Prerequisites

If you practise one of the liberal professions referred to above (that fall under the remit of the Ministry of the Economy) in the capacity of a sole trader or as the manager of a company, you must first submit your application for the right of establishment.

If your degree does not meet the criteria for direct granting of the right of establishment, the Ministry of the Economy will ask you to submit an application for recognition of your professional qualifications.

Costs

All applications for recognition of professional qualifications are subject to the prior payment of a fee of EUR 75 per recognition and profession. The fee must be paid by bank transfer to the following account:

Account holder: ENREGISTREMENT&DOMAINES/LUXBG.-A.R.
IBAN: LU36 0019 5955 4436 2000
BIC: BCEELULL
Communication: Taxe reconnaissance des diplômes, MESR, [name of the applicant], [date of the application]

The fee is not reimbursed if the application for recognition is rejected.

You can request a duplicate of the decision for a fee of EUR 10.

How to proceed

Submitting the application

You can submit your application for recognition of your qualification (see 'Online services and forms'):

  • online via MyGuichet.lu, which does not require any authentication product;
  • by post to the following address:

Ministère de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement supérieur
18-20, montée de la Pétrusse
L-2327 Luxembourg.

If you apply via MyGuichet.lu, all subsequent messages, including notifications of changes in the application's processing status, will be sent by email.

To speed up the processing of your application, please make sure that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.

Supporting documents

You must include the following supporting documents with your application:

  • a copy of the qualification(s): diploma, certificate, transcript of grades, attestation, diploma supplement, etc.;
  • official documents providing proof of professional experience, if any: copy of the work contract, employer certificates, etc.;
  • official documents proving the legal establishment or recognition of your professional qualification(s) in one or more EU Member States, if any: copy of the licence to practise, recognition of equivalence, certification of membership in a professional body, etc.;
  • a copy of an identity document (front and back);
  • a copy of the Luxembourg residence permit valid for persons who are not nationals of an EU Member State or a Member State of the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation;
  • proof of payment of the fee;
  • where applicable, any other useful document.

If the documents are not drawn up in German, French or English, you must attach a certified translation from a sworn translator. 

Processing the application

After the application for recognition has been examined, you will be sent the decision by post. You will receive:

  • a direct recognition decision;
  • a decision granting compensatory measures; or
  • a rejection of your application.

Direct recognition decision

In the case of a direct recognition decision, you must apply to the competent ministry for a licence to practise the profession and/or for the right of establishment.

Decision granting compensatory measures

The decision to grant compensatory measures (aptitude test or adaptation period) is based on the finding of substantial differences between:

  • your theoretical knowledge and your practical skills; and
  • the professional profile as defined by Luxembourg law/regulations.

In the event of a decision granting compensatory measures, recognition of professional qualifications is conditional on the successful completion of an aptitude test and/or an adaptation period. The purpose of these measures is to bridge the differences between your qualifications and the professional profile required in Luxembourg.

Information on the details of the adaptation period and the aptitude test is given in the letter notifying you of the decision to grant compensatory measures.

After obtaining recognition of professional qualifications following the successful completion of the compensatory measures, you must apply to the competent ministry for the licence to practise the profession or for the right of establishment.

Rejection

If the application for recognition of professional qualifications is rejected, you may contest the administrative decision via the usual means of appeal provided that you adhere to the statutory time limits.

Requesting duplicates

For duplicate copies, you must apply by post or email to the Ministry of Research and Higher Education and enclose:

  • proof of payment of the fee; and
  • a copy of an identity document.

Online services and forms

Online services

Recognition of professional qualifications

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Downloadable forms

Note: view tips for using PDF forms.

Application for recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad (other health professions)

Last update 12.02.2024

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Other language(s)

Demande de reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles afférentes à la profession de psychothérapeute

Last update 18.10.2023

PDF585 Kb

Demande de reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles obtenues à l'étranger (professions libérales)

Last update 18.10.2023

PDF473 Kb

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Who to contact

Ministry for Research and Higher Education Approval Board

Address:
20, montée de la Pétrusse L-2327 Luxembourg Luxembourg
Phone:
(+352) 247 86 619
Email address:
homologation@mesr.etat.lu
Website:
https://mesr.gouvernement.lu/en.html

Ministry for Research and Higher Education

  • Ministry for Research and Higher Education

    Address:
    20, montée de la Pétrusse L-2327 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 86 619
    Website:
    https://mesr.gouvernement.lu/en.html
    Open ⋅ Closes at 16.30
    Tuesday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Wednesday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Thursday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Friday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    7.45 to 16.30

  • Ministry for Research and Higher Education Approval Board

    Address:
    20, montée de la Pétrusse L-2327 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 86 619
    Email address:
    homologation@mesr.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://mesr.gouvernement.lu/en.html

  • Ministry for Research and Higher Education Financial Aid Department

    Address:
    18-20, montée de la Pétrusse L-2327 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    B.P. 1101, L-1011 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 88 650
    Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.30
    Fax:
    Reception: (+352) 26 19 01 04 / Financial aid: (+352) 45 56 56
    Email address:
    aide-fi@mesr.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://mengstudien.public.lu/
    Open Closes at 16.30
    Tuesday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Wednesday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Thursday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Friday:
    7.45 to 16.30
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    7.45 to 16.30

  • Ministry for Research and Higher Education The Academic Board

    Address:
    18-20, montée de la Pétrusse L-2327 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 86 639
    Fax:
    (+352) 26 29 60 37
    Email address:
    cheryl.colbert@mesr.etat.lu
    Website:
    http://www.mesr.public.lu/

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