Luxembourg - applying for permanent residence and citizenship

Luxembourg residence permit: status, prospects and ways of obtaining it

The standard of living in the state, prospects and opportunities for living for the whole family, as well as comfortable conditions for doing business - it is on these criteria, according to the founder of the company GARANT.in Andriy Boyko, it is worth choosing a country to move to. Wealthy citizens prefer comfort, security and a reliable berth, and they also value time. A win-win option will be a country that grants the right of legal residence in return for investment in its economy.

Those who are not looking for easy ways, immediately accept the conditions of more developed countries. One of the undoubted leaders on the map of Europe by many indicators remains Luxembourg. The small duchy is widely known in the world as an active and influential player in the international arena, as well as a highly developed industrialized country. Why not try to find your happiness there!

Investment path for potential Permanent Residence Card holders

It is impossible to obtain permanent residence in Luxembourg without a long-term visa and residence permit. The migration legislation of the state is one of the strictest among European countries.

In the absence of any support programs, benefits and subsidies, running a business by foreign citizens in the territory of the Duchy is quite a complicated business. However, investment in business, among other possible options for registration of residence permit for investment, remain the most affordable, as the minimum amount of financial investment is only 500 thousand euros. And it does not matter - directed these investments in an existing business or to open their own. In the second case, the applicant will be obliged to create 5 jobs for local citizens.

 There are two more types of investment:

financial investments from 3 million euros in the country's investment funds, which then distribute the money among troubled businesses;

opening a deposit in a local bank for an amount from 20 million euros with no right of return earlier than in 5 years.

As you can see, they are much more expensive, but the mechanism of their implementation is simpler and does not require personal participation of the investor.

What to do next, if the investor's goal is to obtain a residence permit, and later, perhaps, citizenship?

According to Andrei Boyko, the main task for the applicant will be to clearly fulfill the conditions of migration legislation on the order and terms of investment. Further - it is a matter of time, in the literal sense of the word. In 5 years after receiving the right to temporary stay in the country, the holder of a residence permit card can apply for permanent resident status.

Requirements for applicants for a residence permit in Luxembourg

Conditions on the absence of a criminal record, any restrictions on entry into the territory of the European Union remain.

Also, the applicant passes the strictest check on the legality of the origin of the invested capital, which, in addition, must remain in circulation all the time before the application.

The requirements for the applicant are not limited to this:

The period of stay outside the state may not exceed 6 months in total per year and 10 months in all 5 years. Exceptions to this are trips for a longer period of time for a valid reason, such as childbirth, illness or study. 

The applicant must prove his/her commitment to integration into the local society. Such evidence can be a certificate of language courses or simply witness testimony.

Social and health insurance is mandatory.

Applicant for a residence permit must have their own or rented housing on the territory of the state.

A stable, legal income in the amount that will allow you to support your family at a decent level is also considered a must.

Undeniable advantages of Luxembourg residence permit

A very small percentage of applicants receive the coveted status of permanent resident of the duchy. All this is due to strict restrictions and requirements for applicants. But, according to Andrei Boyko, the difficulties on the way to registration of permanent residence in this country is worth overcoming for the sake of the magnificent prospects that opens the card before its owner.

Just think about it! Luxembourg ranks 5th in the world in the category of “free passports”. Although the residence permit is not yet citizenship, but the list of rights of a permanent resident includes freedom of movement in 186 countries of the world. To live, work, study in local and European educational institutions, keep savings in the most reliable banks, receive qualified medical care - all this can citizens who have received a residence permit of the Duchy.

Since the country has an impeccable reputation and does not serve as a place of “money laundering” for business representatives, the status of a permanent resident of Luxembourg is considered honorable and commands respect. 

Obtain a Luxembourg passport

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is actually one of the smallest states in Europe. Its small size has not prevented it from taking a leading position among the countries of the European Union, and the city of the same name to combine the role of the capital of the duchy and one of the capitals of the EU. Also Luxembourg is in the Schengen zone, moreover - the signing of the first agreement was in a small city of Schengen on the territory of the duchy. Citizenship of the country is a dream of many foreigners, including clients of our emigration center “Garant.in”. This is due to the wide advantages, opportunities and prospects that are open to the happy owners of the passport, as it is among the five most “respected” in the world.

Advantages of Luxembourg citizenship for third-country nationals

Visa-free travel through the countries of the European Union and Schengen zone.

Getting the right to accelerated opening of visas to the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The prospect of developing business in Luxembourg on favorable terms.

Deposits in the most reliable banks in Europe.

Opportunity to receive education in the best educational institutions in Europe.

Access to modern qualified medical care.

The right to enjoy all the benefits of civilization in one of the most comfortable countries for life.

The existence of the institute of “dual citizenship”.

Ways of obtaining citizenship

If you still decided to settle in this country, it is worth being patient.

Migration Service of Luxembourg, trying to protect its population from an excessive influx of foreigners, has adopted fairly strict rules and conditions for potential citizens.

The standard mechanisms remain the acquisition of citizenship by blood right. For foreigners who have no blood ties with the Duchy, there is a method of naturalization. The decisive factor in this case will be the fact of residence on the territory of the country, which is a minimum of 10 years. The process is long and devoid of any state guarantees.

In order to reduce the risks, our specialists advise you to choose another way.

Citizenship for investors I

t should be noted that it is impossible to “buy” citizenship of the Principality, because any proposals of this kind - fraud. But to issue a residence permit “golden visa” with the right to later apply for a passport of the country is a real possibility. Thanks to amendments to the migration legislation in 2017, wealthy investors can issue a residence permit in exchange for financial investments in the economy of the country.

“Golden visa” according to - Luxembourg.

Common to all financial obligations will be the term of the deposit, which is 5 years.

What objects of investment and minimum amounts of deposits are provided by the investment legislation of Luxembourg?

Investment in an existing business. This direction obliges the investor to contribute to the fund of the company, which is registered in the territory of the state, the amount of 500 thousand euros.

Opening your own business to be registered in Luxembourg. The volume of investments - from 500 thousand euros. In this case, the mandatory condition is the creation of 5 jobs within 3 years from the date of the official opening of the company. Selection of employees is carried out by a specially authorized agency. Financial injections into the investment funds of the Duchy from 3 million euros. Opening a deposit in a local bank in the amount of 20 million euros.

The purchase of real estate is not defined as a mechanism for obtaining a visa. At the same time, there are no prohibitions on the purchase of housing.

The origin of the capital, as well as information about the investor is carefully checked by the regulatory authorities. All the rigidity of the legislation in relation to migrant investors leads to a small number of issued “golden visas”.

Luxembourg residence permit is issued for 3 years with the right to extend it, provided that the investment is maintained.

PERMANENT RESIDENCE

After 5 years, a temporary visa can be replaced by a permanent visa. A positive response to a request for a permanent residence permit also depends on the fulfillment by the resident of the requirements for staying in the country. Legislation allows you to leave the borders of the state for no longer than 6 months a year and 10 months in total for 5 years. The exception will be valid reasons: childbirth, illness, study, etc.

Citizenship

After another 5 years the investor can apply for citizenship. Language skills and absence of criminal record are additional requirements if all the above points are met.

Obtain a passport of Luxembourg citizen in 2024 In-demand and promising destination for foreigners makes local authorities pursue an appropriate policy.

So, recently, thanks to the reduction of tax rates, the construction of new residential properties in Luxembourg is actively going on. Although the purchase of real estate and is not defined as a subject of investment in order to obtain a “golden visa”, but the purchase of housing significantly increases the chances of the applicant for a positive response - because it is a signal of the seriousness of the intentions of a potential citizen.

Also this year we can hope for a reduction in the period of residence for applicants - such innovations already exist in the project. 

All changes are closely monitored by GARANT.in staff in order to respond in time and provide professional assistance and support to our clients.