Every natural or legal person who wishes to fly with or use an aircraft in Luxembourg must comply with several formalities. These range from the identification marking of the aircraft to the actual registration of the aircraft until its de-registration, where applicable.

These various formalities must be carried out at the Directorate of Civil Aviation (Direction de l'Aviation Civile - DAC).

Who is concerned

Each individual or company wishing to register an aircraft in Luxembourg.

Costs

The applicant must pay a fee of EUR 130 for the issue of:

• a certificate of registration;
• an airworthiness certificate;
• a noise certificate.

The fee of EUR 130 is payable only once if the certificates are issued simultaneously to the same applicant.

In addition, a fee is payable in the case of a change of registration of a:

• complex motor-powered aircraft: the amount of the fee is EUR 5,000;
• non-complex motor-powered aircraft: the amount of the fee is EUR 500.

Fees for aircraft classification are based on the time spent processing the request (see the Grand Ducal regulation of 19 November 2019 under "Legal References").

How to proceed

Aircraft identification method

Aircraft registered in Luxembourg are identified by the combination of the LX designator code and a group of 3 letters, the 2 groups being separated by a hyphen.

The letter B at the beginning of the 2^nd group is reserved for hot air balloons.

The letter C at the beginning of the 2^nd group is reserved for sailplanes.

The letter H at the beginning of the 2^nd group is reserved for helicopters.

The letter X at the beginning of the 2^nd group is reserved for microlight aircraft (ULM).

The use of the letter Q as the 1^st letter of the 2^nd group as well as groups of 3 letters assimilated to distress codes (SOS, XXX, PAN, TTT, etc.) are prohibited.

Submission of applications and declarations

Reservation of a registration mark

In order to mark its identity, each aircraft must bear nationality and registration marks.

The reservation of a registration mark is the first step in the aircraft registration process.

To this end, the applicant must submit an application for the reservation of a registration mark to the Luxembourg Aircraft Register at the DAC:

• by post; or
• by fax; or
• by email.

The reservation request must be signed by the owner or their representative and must include:

• the name of the aircraft manufacturer;
• the type of aircraft;
• the serial number;
• the name and address of the applicant;
• a fax number or email address of the applicant;
• the name and address of the owner.

The applicant can indicate several wishes for registration marks in order of preference. The first free registration mark will be allocated to them.

A reservation is allocated to a company/association (owner) on condition that:

• it is duly registered with the Trade and Companies Register (RCS); and
• that its articles of association are published in the RCS.

Application for registration

The application for registration of the aircraft is required before the start of the technical part which includes the classification of the aircraft. This application must be accompanied by supporting documents.

The applicant must send the original application for registration to the DAC. It must indicate:

• the name and address of the owner;
• if applicable, the name and address of the operator or manager;
• general information about the aircraft, its destination and operation.

The application for registration must include, on the first page, the original signature of the owner where the owner is a legal person. The 2^nd page may be signed by an authorised representative with a power of attorney to sign, a mandate or delegation for the dossier.

In the case of a natural person, the original signature must be on the 2^nd page.

In the case of multiple owners (co-ownership), the relevant appendix for natural persons and/or legal entities must be completed.

In case of 1^st registration or in case of a change in the information contained in a registration certificate already issued, the applicant must also provide :

• an application for an airworthiness certificate;
• if applicable, an application for a noise certificate.

Applications for a certificate of airworthiness and a noise certificate

The applicant can send the applications for airworthiness and noise certificates:

• after the end of the eligibility process;
• to the DAC (the original document must be sent);
• signed by the owner or authorised representative.

These applications must provide the information necessary for the issuance of the certificates.

Declaration of registration of emergency beacons

The registration form for emergency beacons must be submitted in case of:

• a 1^st registration;
• a change of beacon or contact details;
• any change in the information relating to the beacon.

The applicant must send the form to the DAC indicating the nature of the beacons and contact information:

• by post, fax or email;
• signed by the owner or authorised representative.

Application for de-registration

The application for de-registration is used to:

• de-list an aircraft from the Luxembourg Aircraft Register; or
• carry out a change of ownership (de-registration followed by registration with the details of the new owner).

The request for de-registration must:

• be sent to the DAC (the original document);
• be signed by the owner or the authorised representative;
• indicate the country of destination of the aircraft.

Supporting documents

Reservation request

The applicant shall attach to their application, where appropriate:

• a copy of the delegation of signature;
• in the case of a company:
  • an extract from the RCS;
  • a copy of the articles of association.

Application for registration

If the owner is a natural person, he or she must enclose with the application:

• a copy of their ID card;
• a certificate of residence.

If the owner is a legal person, their application must be accompanied by:

• the company’s articles of association;
• an extract from the RCS;
• the shareholder structure;
• the complete organisation chart of the companies, in the case of cascading companies;
• a copy of the identity cards of the majority shareholders, directors and/or the economic beneficiary.

Depending on the situation, other supporting documents may be required for the registration process, namely:

• the certificate issued by the Minister of Finance or his delegate, certifying that the customs requirements have been complied with;
• the certificate issued by the Directorate of Registration certifying that the import value added tax (VAT) has been paid, or the certificate of exemption from this tax;
• a copy of the insurance policy which must comply with the minimum cover defined by the European regulation;
• the application for a radio licence (except, where applicable, for microlight aircraft and hot air balloons):
  • the original of the application should be sent to the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation - ILR);
  • a copy is to be sent to the DAC;
• the application for registration in the register of air mortgages in Luxembourg (if the maximum take-off weight is over 5,700 kg);
• when a declaration of activity is made in another Member State of the European Union (EU):
  • a copy of the NCC declaration (operation of complex aircraft for non-commercial purposes);
  • a copy of the SPO declaration for aerial work (specialised operation);
• in the case of a lease contract (financial leasing): lease contracts that clearly demonstrate the relationship between the owner and the operator (lessee) of the aircraft.

Application for a certificate of airworthiness

The application must be accompanied by the following:

• a copy of the weighing form;
• where applicable, a copy of the export certificate of airworthiness when the aircraft comes from a third country.

Application for a noise certificate

The applicant must attach a copy of the document containing the noise data (relevant page of the EASA TCDSN, EASA database extract or flight manual extract) to their application.

Request for de-registration

The application must be accompanied by the following:

• the original registration certificate;
• the original certificate of airworthiness;
• in the case of a registration at the Mortgage Office, which is compulsory for aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of more than 5,700 kg: a copy of the certificate of de-registration at the Mortgage Office.

Application processing time

Reservation request

The approximate processing time is 1 to 3 days for certified aircraft.

The processing time can vary from 1 week to several months for non-certified aircraft.

Application for registration

A confirmation email is sent to the applicant to inform that the documents have been accepted and are being reviewed.

The documents presented for eligibility require validation by the DAC's legal department. The validation period varies between 2 and 5 days depending on the completeness of the documents provided.

Applications for certificates of airworthiness, noise certificates and the beacon registration form

If the applications are not filled in correctly, a reply will be provided within 2 days maximum.

Validity period

A confirmation email is sent to the applicant for the reservation of the registration mark. The reservation remains valid for a period of 6 months.

It can be extended on simple request.

The registration certificate ceases to be valid:

• at the request of the owner or in case of transfer of ownership of the aircraft;
• in the event of automatic de-registration:
  • if the aircraft is out of service;
  • if there has been no news of the aircraft for 6 months from:
    • the day of departure of the aircraft; or
    • the day to which the last news received relates;
  • when the conditions for registration are no longer met;
• in the event of de-registration at the request of the Minister for Mobility and Public Works.

Appeals

An applicant whose application for registration is refused by the DAC may, within the legal time limits:

• attempt to settle the dispute amicably and:
  • submit a complaint to the Ombudsman;
  • send an non-contentious appeal to the Director of the DAC for review of their decision;
• submit a contentious appeal to the Administrative tribunal with the assistance of a court lawyer.

Obligations

Deadlines for reporting a change

The owner must notify the DAC of any element that leads to a change in the information contained in the application and the documents to be produced for registration purposes. The notification must be submitted within 30 days

An application to change the information on the registration certificate must be submitted in the following cases:

• change of address of the registered owner or operator;
• change of ownership without change of registration;
• change of operator.

Change of address of the registered owner or operator

For any change of address of the owner or operator, the applicant must send a request to the DAC:

• in the form of an official letter;
• which must indicate:
  • the new address of the company's registered office; or
  • the natural person's new address of residence.

In the case of a legal person, the application must be accompanied by:

• either a recent extract from the RCS;
• or the minutes of the meeting at which the change of address was decided;
• or a copy of the amended articles of association of the company.

In the case of a natural person, the applicant must attach a recent certificate of residence issued by the communal administration concerned.

Change of ownership without change of registration

In the case of a change of ownership of an aircraft, where the registration marks remain unchanged, the change of ownership must be effected by means of a de-registration of the former owner, followed immediately by re-registration in the name of the new owner.

The documents to be submitted by the new owner include:

• for a natural person:
  • a residence certificate;
  • a copy of their ID card;
• for a legal person:
  • a copy of the company’s articles of association;
  • a copy of the identity document of at least one director;
• where applicable, an operating contract or "Lease agreement";
• copies of the NCC (Non-Commercial Operation of Complex Aircraft) and SPO (Specialised Operation) declarations when these are made in another EU Member State;
• an application for registration (Form 101-1);
• a power of attorney to sign: if an agent is completing the administrative formalities concerning the change of ownership;
• a copy of the new insurance policy;
• a copy of the deed of ownership (bill of sale, invoice with proof of payment, etc.);
• a copy of the application for a radio licence.

After verification of the documentation:

• a de-registration certificate is issued in the name of the former owner;
• a final registration certificate is issued in the name of the new owner.

The certificate of airworthiness and the noise certificate are not changed.

In the case of a change of ownership where the registration marks change, the aircraft is to be considered as a new aircraft.

Change of operator

In the case of a change of aircraft operator, the registered owner of the aircraft must inform the DAC using the form "Demande d’immatriculation au relevé luxembourgeois des aéronefs" (Form 101-1).

In the case of a commercial operation of an aircraft, a new operating agreement or "Lease - agreement" must be attached to the application.

A new final certificate is issued, the certificate of airworthiness as well as the noise certificate are not changed.

Sanctions

The entry in the aircraft register is automatically deleted when:

• the aircraft is out of service;
• the DAC has had no news of the aircraft for 6 months from the day of departure of the aircraft;
• when the conditions for registration are no longer met.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact