Immigration to Luxembourg from the United Kingdom

Do UK citizens need a visa to move to Luxembourg?

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union. This significant change means that British citizens no longer enjoy the freedom of movement they once did within the EU. Naturally, many people are now wondering, What’s the current situation for moving to Luxembourg from the UK?

For short stays of less than 90 days, UK citizens can still enter Europe without a visa, provided the purpose of their visit is tourism or business. However, if you plan to stay in Luxembourg for more than three months, or if your stay is less than three months but involves work, you will need to apply for a visa for Luxembourg from the UK.

UK community in Luxembourg today

Now that you know you don’t need a visa to enter Luxembourg despite Brexit, you might be eager to start driving to Luxembourg from the UK. But before you hit the road, you might want to familiarise yourself with the strong ties between the two countries. Moving on, let's explore the topic by examining the British population in the Grand Duchy, looking at some statistics, and exploring where the communities congregate.

British population in Luxembourg

Source: STATEC

According to the latest United Nations data, the UK had 4,732,510 emigrants as of mid-2020, representing about 7.05% of the British population. This figure places the UK 13th out of 232 countries in terms of the number of citizens living abroad, a relatively high ranking. The most popular destinations for British emigrants are Australia (27.16%), followed by the United States (14.23%) and Canada (11.36%). On the other hand, Luxembourg is a less common destination, ranking 50th among preferred countries for British emigrants.

However, despite not being a top destination, the number of British citizens in Luxembourg is still significant. As of January 1, 2023, there were 3,924 British nationals living in Luxembourg, making up 0.59% of the total population and 1.25% of the foreign population. This places the British as the 14th most represented foreign nationality in the country.

Nevertheless, while the British community in Luxembourg remains substantial, it has seen a decline of about 30% since Brexit. In 2019, there were approximately 5,766 British citizens in the Grand Duchy.

Why do British people immigrate to Luxembourg?

Source: Eurostat

Beyond the total number of British residents, it's also insightful to look at the annual influx and the reasons behind their move. Post-Brexit data shows that most visas granted to UK citizens are for family reasons or employment purposes, with very few coming to Luxembourg for educational reasons.

British community in Luxembourg

As we've seen, the British population in Luxembourg, though smaller than in some other countries, is vibrant and well-connected. Here are some of the key communities and events that help British nationals feel at home:

Brits-Luxembourg Facebook Group

This Facebook group, with around 1,500 members at the time of writing, offers a space for British nationals to connect with one another. Members can participate in gatherings and events organised by the group, making it a valuable resource for networking and socialising.

British Community on InterNations

InterNations is a global community that connects expatriates and international travellers in various cities worldwide. In Luxembourg, it serves as a key meeting point for British expatriates, offering social events, interest groups, and online forums where they can share experiences, seek advice, and build networks. This platform facilitates integration into local life while maintaining cultural ties.

The British-Luxembourg Society (BLS)

Founded in 1947 to promote friendship between the UK and Luxembourg, BLS organises cultural and educational activities, such as lectures, English classes, and social events. The society is known for its prestigious annual lecture in memory of Sir Winston Churchill. Since Brexit, BLS has strengthened its ties with the British Embassy and updated its statutes to adapt to the changing times while continuing to foster close relations between the two nations.

The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg

This English-language forum connects leaders and participants in Luxembourg’s local and international business community. The Chamber promotes trade between the UK and Luxembourg, organising expert-led events on current topics, as well as social and networking activities. With over 300 members, the Chamber includes companies from sectors such as finance, technology, and professional services. It collaborates closely with the British Embassy and other organisations to strengthen commercial relationships.

Doing business in Luxembourg

If you're considering establishing yourself in Luxembourg, whether as an employee or an independent entrepreneur, it's essential to understand the business landscape before you start searching for flights from the UK to Luxembourg. To do so, you should familiarise yourself with the country’s key industries and economic sectors.

Luxembourg's economy is one of the most dynamic in Europe and among the most open in the world. The country consistently ranks among the top 10 globally in terms of territorial competitiveness, digitalization, and innovation. The most developed industrial sectors in Luxembourg include the steel industry and financial services.

Industry

Finance

If you are exploring business opportunities in the Grand Duchy and would like to investigate further, we recommend contacting the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg, which we mentioned earlier. They can provide valuable guidance and direct you to the right resources based on your interests or business inquiries.

Luxembourg

Company

Documents

How to register a company in Luxembourg

Living in Luxembourg

One of the most important things to examine when moving to another country is getting an idea of what life is like in the country. Let's then try to take a look at the quality of life, cost of living, culture and general lifestyle in the Grand Duchy with some comparisons to life in the United Kingdom.

Quality of life

Assessing the well-being of citizens across Europe can be challenging due to the subjective nature of this concept. However, several metrics provide some insights. One such metric is the global life satisfaction index, where Europeans rated their satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied).

Source: Eurostat

In 2018, Luxembourg scored 7.5, slightly above the European average of 7.3, while the UK scored 7.6, a marginal difference that suggests both countries offer a similar level of life satisfaction.

Another useful tool is the Quality-of-Life Index provided by Numbeo, which aggregates eight sub-indices. According to this index, Luxembourg scores 221.99, while the UK is lower with a score of 171.29. This disparity highlights how subjective and varied quality-of-life assessments can be. Ultimately, the best approach is to consider the specific characteristics of each country and see how they align with your personal preferences and lifestyle.

Cost of living

Comparing the cost of living in Luxembourg and the UK reveals that both countries are relatively expensive. To gauge this, we can refer to indices provided by Numbeo, which offers the world’s largest database on the cost of living. Their “Cost of Living Plus Rent Index” estimates the price of consumer goods, including rent, relative to New York City.

Source: Numbeo

London ranks as one of the world’s most expensive cities, only surpassed by some major Swiss cities, and is significantly more expensive than Luxembourg. However, Luxembourg's cost of living is comparable to other UK cities like Edinburgh or Bristol and is slightly higher than in cities like Belfast, Newcastle upon Tyne, or Sheffield.

A more detailed comparison would involve looking at various categories of living expenses, but it's important to make these comparisons city by city rather than on a national level. We will then focus a little more on this subject, but only by comparing the two capitals.

Luxembourg City is generally less expensive in most aspects compared to London, except for certain items like the cost of a meal at McDonald’s or similar establishments, and mobile phone and internet plans. Our comparison is however incomplete, we have selected the most representative items, Numbeo offers a much more extensive table that you can consult directly on their website.

Multiculturalism

Luxembourg is exceptionally multicultural. In 2023, of the total population, 347,402 were Luxembourgish nationals, while 313,400 were foreign nationals, meaning that 47.4% of the population is of foreign nationality. This is a unique situation compared to most countries worldwide. This multiculturalism extends to languages as well. Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German. Although English is not an official language, it is widely spoken and commonly used in professional environments, particularly in the prominent financial sector.

Cultural life in country and its nature

Luxembourg may be a small country, but it boasts a rich cultural heritage deeply connected to European history. Its mediaeval architecture, castles, and museums reflect centuries of French, German, and Belgian influence. The country’s vibrant cultural scene includes festivals, theatres, and galleries that celebrate both its historical legacy and contemporary diversity.

Surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and valleys, Luxembourg offers a serene environment filled with natural beauty, providing a perfect blend of cultural richness and picturesque landscapes.

How to immigrate to Luxembourg from the UK?

If you're considering relocating to Luxembourg from the UK, it's important to understand the visa requirements and the immigration process. As mentioned earlier in this article, UK nationals do not need a visa to enter Luxembourg for stays of up to 90 days if the purpose of the visit falls into one of the following categories:

• Tourism or family visits.
• Participation in conferences, trade fairs, or exhibitions.
• Business travel (such as visiting business partners, negotiating contracts, etc.)
• Participation in boards of directors and general meetings.
• Provision of services within the same group of companies.

Long term visa to Luxembourg

If your stay in Luxembourg exceeds 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-term visa, also known as a Type D visa. This visa has a duration from 90 days and up to 1 year, with possibility of extension.

Purposes that allow to receive a long-term visa in Luxembourg include:

Work

Required for employment, whether salaried, self-employed, or highly skilled.

Study

Necessary for those planning to study for more than three months.

Family reunion

Allows family members of Luxembourg residents to join them.

Private reasons

For those who have personal or family ties in Luxembourg but do not qualify for family reunification.

The application process for a long-term visa involves several steps, which must be completed in order to receive a visa. We describe the process in common steps, but you might face some differences, depending on your intended activity and personal situation, so keep it in mind.

With this you should already have a clear idea of the process, however, if you still do not know if you need a visa to enter the UK and the requirements, we will clarify things a little more. For each of the most common reasons for entry we are going to explore and see if the British need a visa and, in each case, we will leave links where the requirements and procedures for obtaining a visa are specified.