Considering a job in Luxembourg in 2025? Its strong economy and large expat community attract professionals. Here's what you should know about getting a work permit.
*Want guidance to apply for work overseas? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.
A Luxembourg Work Permit is formal permission allowing non-EU/EEA citizens to live and work legally in Luxembourg. Anyone from outside the European Union needs it to take a paid job there.
The work permit:
This permit is a key step in following Luxembourg’s immigration and labor laws and is the way for professionals to join one of Europe’s most active economies.
The benefits of a Luxembourg Work Permit are given below.
The various types of Luxembourg work permits are given below.
The eligibility criteria for a Luxembourg work permit are given below.
The documents required to apply for a Luxembourg work permit are given below.
The step-by-step process to apply for a Luxembourg work permit is given below.
Step 1: Secure a job offer for work in Luxembourg.
Step 2: The employer requests permission to hire a worker who is not from the EU.
Step 3: Submit your work permit application to the Immigration Office.
Step 4: If needed, ask for a Visa D for a long stay.
Step 5: When you arrive, apply for your Luxembourg residence permit.
Detailed information about the fees for Luxembourg Work Permit is given below.
| Type of Fee | Amount (EUR) |
| Work Permit Application Fee | € 80 |
| Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) Fee | € 50 |
| Renewal Fee | € 80 |
| EU Blue Card Application Fee | € 80 |
| Replacement Fee (Lost/Damaged) | € 80 |
Detailed information about the processing time for La uxembourg work permit is given below.
| Type of Application | Estimated Processing Time |
| Standard Work Permit | 8–12 weeks |
| EU Blue Card | 6–8 weeks |
| Seasonal Work Permit | 4–6 weeks |
| Renewal of Work Permit | 4–8 weeks |
| Intra-Company Transfer Permit | 6–10 weeks |
Generally, work permits are granted for a one-year duration and can be renewed each year. After maintaining residency for five continuous years, individuals are eligible to apply for either long-term EU resident status or permanent residency.
| Problem | Suggestion |
| Delays in labor market tests can occur. | Focus on sectors facing skill shortages, such as IT, healthcare, or finance. |
| The documentation process can be complex. | Prepare and double-check documents early to prevent them from being rejected. |
| Language differences may present difficulties. | Learning basic French or German could be helpful. |
Y-Axis is a global career and immigration firm that aids professionals in obtaining work permits and settling in other countries. We provide complete support to simplify your Luxembourg work permit application.
Our services cover:
Offering post-arrival help such as residence registration and permit renewals
For non-EU/EEA citizens, such as Canadians, a work permit is needed to live and work in Luxembourg by law. Canadians planning to work in Luxembourg must acquire both a work permit and a residence permit. EU/EEA citizens are exempt from needing permits. Foreign workers who are not EU/EEA citizens must apply before entering Luxembourg. The work permit is tied to a specific job and employer. Therefore, individuals must have a job offer from a company in Luxembourg before applying.
Yes, Canadians can apply for a Luxembourg work permit, provided the meet the eligibility requirements. Canadians have the option to seek a Luxembourg work permit if they get a job offer there. First, the employer needs to get approval from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to hire someone from outside the EU. Once that is done, the worker will need to apply for a long-stay visa (Visa D) and register for a residence permit after they arrive. Canadians are often considered good candidates in IT, finance, and healthcare because they usually speak English well and have needed skills.
The various types of work permits available in Luxembourg are given below.
Since each permit has different needs and timeframes, applicants should make sure they apply in the correct category for their job.
The processing times for Luxembourg Work Permit are given below.
| Type of Application | Estimated Processing Time |
| Standard Work Permit | 8–12 weeks |
| EU Blue Card | 6–8 weeks |
| Seasonal Work Permit | 4–6 weeks |
| Renewal of Work Permit | 4–8 weeks |
| Intra-Company Transfer Permit | 6–10 weeks |
For Canadian residents seeking a Luxembourg work permit, here are the common requirements:
In some cases, employers need to do a job market assessment to prove that no qualified EU candidates were available before hiring from outside the EU.
For Canadian residents seeking a Luxembourg work permit, here are the common requirements:
In some cases, employers need to do a job market assessment to prove that no qualified EU candidates were available before hiring from outside the EU.
Yes, you can bring your family to Luxembourg on a work permit. Foreign nationals who possess a work permit for Luxembourg can ask for family reunification. This allows them to bring their spouse, children under 18 years old, and in some cases, dependent parents into the country. If the application is accepted, family members get residence permits. Spouses might may also have the option to work in Luxembourg. To qualify, people must show they have enough income and suitable housing to provide for their family members. Usually, requests for family reunification are only accepted after someone has lived in Luxembourg for a set amount of time, commonly one year.
The costs of a Luxembourg work permit are given below.
| Type of Fee | Amount (EUR) |
| Work Permit Application Fee | € 80 |
| Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) Fee | € 50 |
| Renewal Fee | € 80 |
| EU Blue Card Application Fee | € 80 |
| Replacement Fee (Lost/Damaged) | € 80 |
No, Canadian residents cannot switch employers in Luxembourg while on a work permit. In Luxembourg, work permits usually are employer and job-specific. During the permit's initial term, Canadians can't just switch jobs. A new employer has to apply for a new permit, which means repeating parts of the application. After five years of residence, people can apply for long-term EU resident status, which allows easier job changes.
If your Luxembourg Work permit application does not succeed, Luxembourg officials will provide written reasoning. This typically stems from missing paperwork, not meeting the needed standards, or difficulties regarding the employer's permit. Canadian residents have the option to contest the decision within three months or send a revised application that fixes the identified problems. To lower the chance of denial, it is very important to carefully check the guidelines and give correct records.
