Nationality of Luxembourg: all obtaining pathways
Luxembourg reduces naturalization to five years of legal residence, with a Luxembourgish exam (A2 oral, B1 written) and a mandatory civic-education course. Acquisition by option covers marriage and ancestry, and former Luxembourgish nationals can recover nationality with no residence requirement.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Full age
- Legal residence in Luxembourg for at least 5 years; the final year of residence immediately before the application must be uninterrupted
- Knowledge of Luxembourgish certified by the official language-evaluation exam (certificat de réussite)
- Having attended the "Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg" course or passed its exam
- Honourability: REFUSED for false statements/concealment/fraud in the application, or a sentence of ≥12 months firm imprisonment or ≥24 months suspended (in Luxembourg or abroad, if also an offence under Luxembourg law and executed <15 years earlier)
- Free procedure (only fees for supporting documents)
- Application in person at the commune of residence
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Residence certificate
- Luxembourgish proficiency certificate (oral A2/written B1)
- Civic-education course certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Extract from the population registry
2Acquisition by option (through marriage or ancestry)
Acquisition by option (through marriage or ancestry)
Requirements
- The OPTION route (arts. 7 ff. of the nationality law) differs from naturalisation: spouse of a Luxembourg national, persons born in Luxembourg, adults with prior continuous residence, etc.
- Option terms and conditions governed by the 23 October 2008 law (by category)
- RECOVERY (recouvrement) lets former Luxembourg citizens regain nationality, honourability and language conditions applying
- Confirm exact option terms per category in the guichet preconditions page
Documentation
- Marriage certificate or proof of Luxembourgish ancestry
- Residence certificate
- Luxembourgish proficiency certificate (if applicable)
- Birth certificate
- Extract from the population registry
3Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Luxembourgish citizen at the time of birth
- Automatic transmission with no generational limit
- For descendants of Luxembourgish nationals who lost the nationality: recovery through special registration
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the Luxembourgish parent
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Luxembourgish civil registry documents
4Recovery of Luxembourgish nationality
Recovery of Luxembourgish nationality
Requirements
- Have previously been a Luxembourgish citizen and lost the nationality
- Residence in Luxembourg at the time of the application or previous residence in Luxembourg
- Command of Luxembourgish at oral A2 level
- Completed civic-education course
Documentation
- Proof of previous Luxembourgish nationality
- Residence certificate
- Luxembourgish proficiency certificate
- Civic-education course certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Luxembourg
How many years of residence does Luxembourg require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Luxembourg (Naturalization by residence), the term is ≥5 years of legal residence in Luxembourg, with the last year uninterrupted before applying. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
How much does the nationality of Luxembourg cost?
The official fee referenced in the fact sheet is Free of charge. Check the linked official source on each pathway in case it has changed.
Can the nationality of Luxembourg be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Acquisition by option pathway (Option: 3 years married to a Luxembourg national (+ cohabitation and residence); recovery: for former Luxembourg citizens with no residence period). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Luxembourg require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Valid passport; Residence certificate; Luxembourgish proficiency certificate (oral A2/written B1); Civic-education course certificate; Criminal record certificate; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Luxembourg?
Luxembourg provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Acquisition by option, Nationality by descent, Recovery of Luxembourgish nationality.
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