How to get a job in Luxembourg
In this article we will tell you how to look for a job in Luxembourg and what to look out for.
For third-country nationals, which means anyone lacking a European Union passport, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Sweden nationality, the employment process in the Grand Duchy can be divided into five steps.
The search for a workplace in Luxembourg
It is possible to find the appropriate job opportunities, including English-speaking vacancies in Luxembourg. There are several popular methods:
- With social media and messengers: LinkedIn, Facebook, Telegram,
- With the local employment agency ADEM, where you can find open vacancies in the Grand Duchy,
- With social networking and the help of friends.
The particular demand is concentrated in the IT sector and finances in Luxembourg, but it doesn't mean there are few jobs in other areas. If you take a look at the list of popular jobs in Luxembourg, you will see, that the country is looking for financial analysts, engineers and nurses - key professions that are in constant demand. The financial sector is attracting risk management specialists, construction needs engineers and healthcare is experiencing a shortage of nursing staff.
Keep in mind, that you will need an education diploma in order to be employed as a Blue Card highly-qualified specialist. High-skilled specialists are in demand in Luxembourg, there are several professions to start research with:
Resume and motivation letter application
A well-written resume and cover letter are crucial elements of the employment process in Luxembourg.
The resume should be done in English and/or French and be well structured. Fill out the information in 5 specific sections: contacts, education, experience, personal projects, and skills. When preparing your resume, use a regular font and fit all the information on an A4 sheet. Use headings and bullets to keep the text consistent and clear.
A cover letter must accompany your resume when you apply for a job. This also could be an email in the language of the job description or in English or a separate document. The entire text should also fit the A4 format. It is important to structure the cover letter: state the position you are applying for, include the greeting, main part, and conclusion, and mention your contact info. Keep the narrative in a business style.
The invitation and several rounds of job interviews in Luxembourg
Luxembourg, like the rest of the EU, approaches the recruitment process very seriously. Normally, those looking for jobs from abroad will have several online interviews that last an average of 45-60 minutes.
Luxtoday Guide for Passing the Job Interview
What documents are necessary to work in Luxembourg?
For nationals of EU countries, things are quite simple. In general, copies of diplomas or professional certificates if the position requires them, a valid passport or national identity document and signing an employment contract in Luxembourg are sufficient. On the other hand, it is more difficult for nationals of other countries and many more documents are required.
The requirements vary, however, depending on your circumstances; it is not the same, for example, if it is a normal job or a highly qualified job. In addition, the requirements also change according to your family situation; if you have a partner of Luxembourgish or European nationality, things may be easier. In any case, the following are the documents generally required:
- Two fully completed copies of the Schengen visa application form.
- Two recent and identical passport photos.
- A passport.
- Proof of accommodation.
- An employment contract with a Luxembourg employer.
- A certificate issued by the ADEM (Employment Development Agency) authorizing the employer to hire a third-country national.
- Copies of educational degrees or professional qualifications.
- A curriculum vitae.
- The applicable visa fee.
ADEM certificate for foreign workers
In EU law, a third country is any country that isn't a member of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA countries are often treated similarly because of its agreements with the EU, even though they are not a part of EU. A third-country national is anyone who is a citizen of a country outside the EU and EEA. This means that people from countries outside the EU/EEA, like the United States, China, India, or Morocco, are considered third-country nationals.
One of the most famous cases in recent years happen to be Brexit. In June 2016 the United Kingdom decided to stop being part of the European Union. So from 2020, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union.
If you're a US citizen, you don't need a visa to visit most European countries in the Schengen Area for stays up to 90 days. Still, from 2025, US citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before visiting. This isn't a visa, though.
Normally it takes 3 to 4 weeks to obtain the certificate from ADEM for third-country nationals. It is an important paper from ADEM, that grants your employer the right to hire and make a labor contract with a third-country national. This will also allow the employee to obtain temporary authorisation to stay.
Foreign nationals should keep in mind that recruitment and employment eligibility has certain nuances.
- The employer must submit the vacancy information to ADEM, the national employment agency of Luxembourg. They are obliged to first look for a suitable candidate in European Union. If none is available for specific job requirements, the employer has the right to hire an employee from a third country. The given certificate allows hiring an individual who is not registered with ADEM.
- The employer must create a labor contract with the worker, stating the date of entering the job.
The ADEM certificate and the labor contract should be attached to your temporary authorisation to stay application.
Design and production engineers, equipment maintenance and roof restoration specialists are in demand in the industrial sector. The growth of investment activity in construction ensures stable demand for engineering personnel.
The employment contract creation
Every single thing that was discussed and agreed upon during the job interview process, should be spelled out in your contract. This applies to the conditions of relocation, cultural and language adaptation, your payment, the reimbursement of expenses conditions, termination terms on your own and by the company, etc.
Moreover, the contract specifies information about the parties, the place and time of work, job description and responsibilities, the amount of salary and additional benefits, if any, the length of vacation and trial period, etc.
The employment contract must be made in accordance with Luxembourg law and created in 2 copies signed by both parties.
Once these steps are done, you can collect your documents and apply for a visa and a temporary residence permit.
How to become self-employed in Luxembourg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where to look for a job?
If I am not working in IT or finance, am I still eligible for a Blue Card residency in Luxembourg?
Can ADEM help find a job?
Is it necessary to write all terms of relocation in the contract?
Is it easy to find a job in Luxembourg?
Is it easy to find a job in English only?
Source: govjobs.public.lu, ec.europa.eu, adem.public.lu
We took photos from these sources: Giulia Squillace for Unsplash
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