Luxembourg passport: advantages for holders and visa-free travel

If you have ever wondered how to obtain this document, worry not, as we guide you through the step-by-step process of acquiring a Luxembourg passport.

How strong is the Luxembourg passport

Various indexes gauge the strength of passports, and among them, the 🏆 Henley Passport Index stands as one of the most significant. Spanning 18 years of historical data, this index relies on information from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and is updated quarterly.

Another influential passport ranking is the 🏆 Passport Index from Arton Capital, a Canadian consulting company and, according to its creators, is updated in real-time.

Here we will analyze the ranking of the Luxembourg passport using these two indices as a basis, which allows us to get a general idea of the strength of the Luxembourg passport. However, there are considerable differences between the two due to their notation criteria, update frequency, and information sources among other possible variables.

Henley Global

As per the latest Henley Passport Index rankings, Japan, which had long held the top spot, yielded its position to Singapore, leading to several European countries ascending in the ranks. Luxembourg, standing strong as one of the top performers, moved from 4th to 3rd place, sharing this position with six other nations: Austria, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, and Sweden.

According to this Index, the Luxembourg passport grants its holders access to 189 countries, and remarkably, Luxembourg has consistently been in the top four since 2017 and has never fallen below the sixth position since the index's inception in 2006.

All these advantages and more distinguish the Luxembourg passport from a mere residence permit. We will examine this subject in more detail in the next section.

Passport and ID card: what is the difference

In the Grand Duchy, residents and citizens commonly use an ID card, as their primary identifying document, this ID card can be a Luxembourgish identity card or a residence permit. Let's see what these cards are and how they differ from a passport.

• The Luxembourgish identity card is an identification document for Luxembourg nationals, which means that it is linked to Luxembourg citizenship. It serves as an identity document in Luxembourg and the EU but does not serve as international identification.
• The residence permit grants the right to stay in the country for a specific period, and in some cases, it allows individuals to work as well. Acquiring a residence permit doesn't require Luxembourg citizenship but involves meeting certain requirements and applying for consideration.
• A passport, as well as the Luxembourg identity card, is intrinsically tied to one's citizenship, as it represents the nationality of a particular country.

While the residence permit functions as an identification document within Luxembourg and the EU, the passport extends its purpose to facilitate seamless global travel.

Although all these documents allow you to live in Luxembourg, there is an important difference between the Luxembourg identity card or passport which imply Luxembourg citizenship, and a residence permit.

• Luxembourg citizens possess the right to vote in national, local, and European elections.
• Citizens enjoy greater protection against deportation compared to residents.
• Luxembourg citizenship opens the door to a wider range of social benefits, including eligibility for certain government jobs and the opportunity to obtain a Luxembourg passport.
• You can go to numerous visa-free countries with a Luxembourg passport.
• Citizenship imparts a deeper sense of identity and belonging to the country, which can hold significant importance for individuals.

Although the Luxembourg passport is exclusively available to Luxembourg nationals, obtaining one is still possible through the process of naturalization. By following this procedure, you can acquire Luxembourg citizenship and subsequently obtain a Luxembourg passport. However, it is important to keep in mind that specific requirements must be met to be eligible for naturalization.

What Luxembourg Passport looks like

The Luxembourg passport showcases an elegant design both on the cover and inside its pages. Adorned with the iconic Luxembourg Coat of Arms on the cover, it embodies national pride.

Inside, the Luxembourg passport contains several pages dedicated to personal information such as the holder's name, date of birth, photograph, and signature. The document incorporates advanced security features like watermarks and special printing techniques to prevent counterfeiting, ensuring its authenticity.

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Visa requirements for Luxembourg passport holders

The Luxembourg passport opens doors to visa-free travel in a considerable number of countries. While various institutions may provide differing information on this matter, for this section, we will rely on the reputable and regularly updated index by Arton Capital.

To ensure certainty regarding the entry conditions of a particular country, we strongly advise consulting with the consular authorities of that country.

Visa-free countries

The first list encompasses countries that welcome Luxembourg passport holders with open arms, allowing entry without the need for a visa or any other additional documentation.

Countries requiring special procedure

The second list will highlight countries where entry is visa-free but requires specific procedures to be followed. These procedures may include applying for an expedited visa upon arrival or obtaining an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before departure.

How to obtain a Luxembourgish Passport

A passport becomes a necessity when you intend to travel to foreign countries outside the European Economic Area, as most of them require this travel document.

If you're looking to obtain a passport, you can follow the straightforward steps outlined below:

1. Gather the necessary documents.
2. Pay the issuance fees.
3. Submit the application.

We will examine each step in more detail below, however, to be sure to obtain updated and much more detailed information, we recommend you visit directly the pages dedicated to this procedure on Guichet for both resident and non-resident nationals.

Required documents

The following are the documents within the visa requirements for Luxembourg citizens and residents. 

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*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

An identity document

Usually passport

The previous passport

if you have one or, if you have lost it, the declaration of theft or loss established by the police

The payment receipt of the issuance fee

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1 photo

Complying with ICAO standards

A residence permit

Issued in the country of residence

A copy of the marriage certificate.

In the case of marriage abroad

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*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.

Issuance fees for passport

The cost of the passport varies according to the duration of the passport and the delivery delay.

Although the standard duration of the passport is 5 years, it is possible to apply for a passport with a duration of only 2 years for children under 4 years of age.

Payment can be made in different ways:

• Online via MyGuichet.lu;
• By bank card directly at the Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office (BPVL);
• By deposit or transfer to the BPVL's post office account (IBAN: LU 46 1111 1298 0014 0000 / BIC: CCPLLULL).

Application process

To apply for a passport, you must go to one of the following establishments with all the required documents.

When you make the request, you must indicate where you want to recover the passport, it can be at the BPVL of Luxembourg City or the same office but in your commune of residence.

Finally, when the processing period is over, you must go in person to receive your passport.