Travelling to Luxembourg in 2025: restrictions and requirements

Luxembourg entry requirements in 2025

Luxembourg is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, which means that there are no internal border controls with other Schengen countries. Therefore, citizens of the European Union and Switzerland only need an identity document to enter the country, however, nationals of other countries must comply with the entry requirements for Luxembourg. These vary according to the purpose of the trip and its duration and give rise to different types of visas with two main categories:

1. Short-stay visas: 

   Those who wish to enter the country for a short period must apply for a short-stay visa, also known as a type C visa. Specifically, this visa allows transit through or stay in Luxembourg and the Schengen area, continuously or not, for a maximum of 90 days in 180 days and is intended for the following purposes:

   • Tourist or family visits.
   • Participation in conferences, trade fairs, or exhibitions.
   • Participation in boards of directors and general meetings.
   • Provision of services within the same group of companies.
2. Long stay visas:

   Those who want to stay in Luxembourg for more than 3 months must apply for a long-stay visa, also known as a type D visa. Additionally, citizens of certain countries who wish to settle in Luxembourg as residents must also apply for this type of visa as part of the procedure. Specifically, this visa is intended for:

   • Holders of a temporary residence permit.
   • Holders of a work permit for paid employment.
   • Those who are going to join a family member who is an EU citizen.
   • Those who want to carry out any other type of activities such as self-employed work, studies, research, or sports activities.

As we have mentioned, however, not everyone needs to apply for one of these visas to enter Luxembourg. Depending on the nationality of the person wishing to enter the country, there are three possible cases:

1. European citizens: 

   they do not need a visa and can enter the country without any restrictions.

2. Citizens who do not require a short-stay visa: 

   citizens of certain countries do not need a short-stay visa to enter Europe. A list of these countries can be found on the website of the European Commission.

3. Citizens who always require a visa:

   citizens of countries that do not fall into either of the above categories must always apply for a visa to enter the country.

What documents do you need to visit Luxembourg?

If you know you need a visa since you are not a European citizen and you are wondering how to travel to Luxembourg, the first thing you should know is that the requirements are very different depending on the type of trip. The estimated duration of the trip, the type of activities you intend to carry out in the country, and even your personal circumstances. Below we will mention some documents that are generally required for most cases:

• 2 recent and identical passport photos.
• 2 fully completed copies of the Schengen visa application form.
• A criminal record extract or an affidavit issued by your residence country.
• Passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay.
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your stay in Luxembourg or a financial statement of support from a reference person in Luxembourg.
• Proof of legal residence in the country where you live.

In addition to these documents, depending on the type of visa being applied for, additional documents will be required. Below we list the documents required for some of the most common types of visas:

1. For short-stay visas:

   • Official letter of invitation for a business visit.
   • Proof of accommodation, either at a friend's or relative's home or at a hotel.
   • Health insurance covering the travel period.
   • A round-trip air ticket or a flight itinerary reservation.
2. For work visas:

   • An employment contract with a Luxembourg employer and, in addition, for visas for highly qualified workers, the contract must have a minimum duration of one year, and the gross annual salary must be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary or 1.2 times for specific professions.
   • Certificate issued by the ADEM (Employment Development Agency) authorizing the employer to hire a third-country national. This certificate must be obtained by the employer by applying to the ADEM three weeks after submitting the job vacancy declaration and must be sent to you to attach to your visa application.
   • Copies of educational degrees or professional qualifications.
   • A curriculum vitae.
3. For student visas:

   • Proof of full-time admission to a higher education institution in Luxembourg.
   • Adequate Financial Resources for Living in Luxembourg. This means having resources to cover the costs of housing, transportation, food, entertainment and miscellaneous expenses. More precisely, the state requires that you have at least 80% of the current income for social integration. This is currently set at 1,201 euros per month, so you will need to have at least 860.8 euros per month.
   • An attestation of health insurance covering health risks in Luxembourg.
   • Parental authorization if the student is under 18.

Health requirements for entry into Luxembourg

Luxembourg does not currently require vaccination certificates, medical tests or special health-related requirements for entry into the country. In addition, in May 2023 the WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic emergency to be over and all previous COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. However, it is advisable to check for updates on health requirements before traveling as these may change depending on the circumstances.

Another issue related to health requirements is travel insurance. Although this insurance is a mandatory requirement for short-term tourist visas, it is not always necessary for long-term visas and it depends on the type of visa being applied for. It is therefore essential to review the requirements for each type of visa carefully. Work or study visas, for example, do not require travel insurance.

Also related to the issue of health is the requirement for a medical examination for those who wish to travel to the country for a long period of time with a D-type visa. Although it is not a requirement to enter the country, it is a requirement that must be met once one enters the country as part of the immigration process.

Other regulations

Finally, it is important to bear in mind that in addition to the visa-related entry requirements for Luxembourg, it is also necessary to comply with restrictions on the transportation of goods. This will avoid surprises when entering the country, such as having to abandon certain goods or pay import tariffs.

On entering Luxembourg, some items such as personal effects can benefit from customs exemptions and do not have to pay duties or taxes, however, other goods must be declared at customs and the corresponding duties and taxes must be paid.

Goods on the following list can be imported without having to declare them or pay any taxes, as long as the limits, which are set by the European Union, are respected.

1. Tobacco Products:

   One of the following

   • 200 cigarettes.
   • 100 cigarillos.
   • 50 cigars.
   • 250 grams of tobacco.
2. Alcoholic Drinks:

   One of the following

   • 1 liter exceeding 22% alcohol volume.
   • 2 liters up to 22% alcohol volume.

   And both of the following:

   • 4 liters of still wine.
   • 16 liters of beer.
3. Personal Items of Non-Commercial Nature Worth Up To:

   • 430 euros when traveling by air or sea.
   • 300 euros when traveling by land.
   • 150 euros for travelers under 15 years of age.

In this short guide we have had a first look at the requirements for entering Luxembourg, but this is a fairly broad topic and many details must be taken into account. If you have plans to enter the grand duchy, you must look into the matter in depth, carefully review all the requirements and plan your trip with time and care.