Documents

What documents to prepare at home country

Getting ready to relocate starts with checking all the necessary papers for the process - and some of them might take months to make. This article explores the necessary preparations, so you can be prepared to move with ease and not forget useful papers back in the country of origin.

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Once you come to Luxembourg, you will need to confirm and process a lot of paperwork. In order to make it easier, you should collect your documents from your place of residence.

There are essential documents, that you will need when moving to Luxembourg as a high-qualified worker. And there are recommended documents that might be handy in different cases.

Essential documents

People relocating with the Blue Card will need 4 categories of documents with them. All the documents must be initially collected in the home country's national language for further translation. Those are the basic papers to obtain temporary authorization to stay and apply for a visa. Normally, essential documents will suffice to solve the majority of the issues in Luxembourg as well.

Passports

Internal passport and a copy of the main and registration pages. In case you lose your foreign passport, the internal passport is the only document that verifies your identity to the embassy. International passport and a copy of all the pages certified by the notary

Certificates

Personal birth certificate and marriage certificate (apostilled), if you are married.

Apostilled criminal record

You can request the criminal record from your local competent authority. The criminal record should be recent, not more than 6 months old, and be notarized or apostilled. Normally, it takes 30 days to obtain this document, but check in with your local authority.

Employment documents

Required papers: educational diploma, labor contract, resume, cover letter.

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However, depending on your employer company and ADEM requirements, you may also need:

to apostille an educational diploma,
to apostille a birth certificate,
to provide notarized copies of your other documents: diplomas, birth and marriage certificates, criminal record, etc.

Clarify the requirements with your employer's HR specialist.

Additional documents

These types of documents are not necessary for the relocation process itself. But they can be requested to suit various situations in Luxembourg.

Certificates

Should include apostille and notarized translations to French/German (also in Word format):

Parents' birth certificates

The document is required to prove the relationship status, in case you plan to bring your family members to Luxembourg for family reunification.

Death certificate

If you have minor children, and your partner (their parent) has died, you will need to submit this document.

Unique number documents

It's reasonable to take some additional official papers that contain:

The taxpayer identification number.
The pension savings personal account identification number.

Licenses

Drivers license
You can drive for up to a year with your original license according to the law in Luxembourg, but you still have to apply for a replacement immediately upon arrival.
IDP (International Driving Permit)
It makes it much easier to move around the territory of the Grand Duchy, rent a car, and solve disputes that arise on the road.

Employment history or contracts

These are the essential documents of employment. You may need them to open a bank account in Luxembourg.

Education documents

Besides the essential diploma, consider collecting these papers:

Degree documents that prove your academic titles;
Certificate of Secondary Education;
Professional retraining certificates and diplomas.

Typically, the education documents apostille process takes up to 45 days. The time limit may be extended in some cases. Education documents are usually provided with an apostille, but sometimes it is not necessary, if not stated otherwise. If you will translate the diploma, request a Word format translation to be sent via email from your translator as well.

References

You will need them to confirm income, enroll your children in school, etc.

For adults — proof of income

This is an evidence of your ability to pay. This document confirms the official income. You can obtain this paper from your employer or at the tax office.

For children

A reference, stating that you do not benefit from child support allowances in your country of origin.

Academic or grades report for the past two years. If there is no such report, you can provide a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal.

For students

Reference from the Dean's Office, provided in English on demand.
Professional and academic curriculum vitae. This should be an official document certified by the competent institution. It must list all of the academic work you have done during your studies.

Medical records

Travel Health Insurance, which you might need it in case of illness until the local health insurance plan arrives.
Patient medical record. In case you have health problems, chronic diseases, etc. Translate your medical record documents into English and notarize the translation.

Power of Attorney

This is one of the necessary documents that require the notary's help – a general power of attorney in the name of a close relative or another trusted person must be made, so you can manage your property, accounts, etc. without being present.

The person with such a document will have the authority to deal with urgent matters on your behalf: obtaining documents, paying bills, withdrawing money from the bank, selling an apartment that is no longer in use, and so on.

The Power of Attorney is not on the list of essential documents, but it is a must-have in case you do not plan to travel to your home country to deal with organizational moments in person.