Luxembourg · Work permit · Open
Luxembourg EU Blue Card: Requirements and How to Apply
The Luxembourg EU Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU workers with a contract of at least six months and a salary of at least €65,652 a year, about €5,471 a month. It is issued for four years, or for the length of your contract plus three months if that is shorter, and it can be renewed on the same terms.
You apply for a temporary authorisation to stay from abroad before travelling, then complete a few steps after arrival. Check the official Guichet.lu page before you apply, since the salary threshold is set by regulation and changes.
At a glance
Luxembourg EU Blue Card (Carte bleue europeenne)
- Who it’s for
- Highly qualified non-EU workers with a Luxembourg job offer and the required qualifications
- Income requirement
- €5,471 a month
- How it’s calculated
- Gross annual salary of at least EUR 65,652 (about EUR 5,471 a month), the amount Guichet.lu lists as current; set by Grand-Ducal regulation.
- Initial stay
- 4 years, or the contract length plus 3 months if shorter
- Renewal
- Yes, on the same terms
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term residence after 5 years of lawful, uninterrupted stay; citizenship after 5 years with a Luxembourgish test
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- Yes
- Health insurance required
- No
- Processing time
- The temporary authorisation to stay is normally decided within 3 months
- Fees
- EUR 80 for the residence permit; the page lists no fee for the temporary authorisation.
- Tax
- Salary is taxed in Luxembourg up to 42% plus a solidarity surcharge; an inbound regime for highly skilled recruits may apply.
Key requirements
- Employment contract of at least 6 months
- Salary of at least EUR 65,652 a year
- Proof of the required qualifications
- Temporary authorisation to stay applied for from abroad, then a D visa if needed
- Declaration of arrival at the commune within 3 working days and a medical check
- Residence permit application within 3 months of arrival
Checked against the official page · Last checked Oct 19, 2026. Rule changes. Rules change: confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor. Not legal advice.
Who qualifies
You need an employment contract of at least six months for a highly qualified job in Luxembourg, the qualifications required for it and a gross annual salary of at least €65,652. Americans, Canadians, Brits and Australians all apply the same way.
Salary requirement
Guichet.lu lists the current threshold as €65,652 gross a year. The figure is set by Grand-Ducal regulation and is updated, so confirm it before you negotiate.
Documents you'll need
- A valid passport.
- Your employment contract of at least six months.
- Proof of your qualifications.
- The application for a temporary authorisation to stay.
- Later, a medical check and the residence permit application.
Step-by-step application
- Sign the contract with your Luxembourg employer.
- Apply for the temporary authorisation to stay from outside Luxembourg.
- Get a D visa if your nationality needs one.
- Travel to Luxembourg and declare your arrival at your commune within three working days.
- Take the medical check.
- Apply for the residence permit within three months of arrival.
Costs and timeline
The residence permit costs €80. The temporary authorisation is normally decided within three months.
Taxes once you're resident
Your salary is taxed in Luxembourg at progressive rates up to 42%, plus a solidarity surcharge. An inbound regime for highly skilled recruits may reduce the tax on part of your package. See our Luxembourg guide.
Family members
Your spouse or partner and children can join you through family reunification.
Permanent residence and citizenship
After 5 years of lawful, uninterrupted stay you can apply for long-term residence. Citizenship is also possible after 5 years, with a spoken Luxembourgish test and a course or test on living together in Luxembourg.
Alternatives
If your salary is below the Blue Card threshold, look at the residence permit for salaried workers. To work for yourself, see the self-employed permit. Nearby, compare the Belgium EU Blue Card.
| Route | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg EU Blue Card | Work permit | Open | €5,471/mo income | 4 years, or the contract length plus 3 months if shorter | Long-term residence after 5 years of la… |
| Luxembourg Residence Permit for Salaried Workers | Work permit | Open | - | Up to 1 year, for one profession in one sector | Long-term residence after 5 years |
| Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Workers | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 3 years | Long-term residence after 5 years |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other work permits & blue cards in Europe
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria Red-White-Red Card | Austria | Work permit | Open | €3,465/mo income | 24 months, tied to the employer named in your application | Long-term resident - EU status after 5 … |
| Belgium EU Blue Card | Belgium | Work permit | Open | €4,748/mo income | Tied to the contract, usually up to a few years | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Belgium Single Permit (Highly Skilled Workers) | Belgium | Work permit | Open | €3,703/mo income | Usually up to 3 years, tied to the job | Permanent residence after 5 years; citi… |
| Denmark Work Permit (Pay Limit Scheme and Positive List) | Denmark | Work permit | Open | €6,154/mo income | Normally 4 years if the job lasts 4 years or more; shorter … | 8 years of legal residence, or 4 years … |
| Finland EU Blue Card | Finland | Work permit | Open | - | Up to 2 years at a time | 4 to 6 years depending on route; Blue C… |
| Finland Residence Permit for Specialists | Finland | Work permit | Open | €3,937/mo income | Up to 2 years (or the length of the job if shorter) | 4 to 6 years depending on route (rules … |
| France Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) | France | Work permit | Open | €3,299/mo income | Card valid for the length of the employment contract, up to… | About 5 years of residence leads to lon… |
| Germany EU Blue Card | Germany | Work permit | Open | €4,225/mo income | Length of your employment contract plus 6 months, up to 4 y… | Settlement permit after 27 months with … |
| Germany Opportunity Card | Germany | Work permit | Open | €1,091/mo income | Up to 1 year | No direct route: switch to a work permi… |
| Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit | Ireland | Work permit | Open | €3,409/mo income | Job offer of at least 2 years; the holder is expected to st… | After 60 months of residency permission… |
| Luxembourg EU Blue Card | Luxembourg | Work permit | Open | €5,471/mo income | 4 years, or the contract length plus 3 months if shorter | Long-term residence after 5 years of la… |
| Luxembourg Residence Permit for Salaried Workers | Luxembourg | Work permit | Open | - | Up to 1 year, for one profession in one sector | Long-term residence after 5 years |
| Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant Permit | Netherlands | Work permit | Open | €5,942/mo income | As long as your contract, up to 5 years | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Norway Skilled Worker Residence Permit | Norway | Work permit | Open | - | University-level positions normally up to 3 years (up to 1 … | You can apply for permanent residence a… |
| Poland Work Permit and Single Residence-and-Work Permit | Poland | Work permit | Changing | - | Typically up to 3 years, tied to the employer and role (not… | Long-term EU resident status generally … |
| Sweden Work Permit (Employees) | Sweden | Work permit | Changing | €3,071/mo income | Up to 2 years, not longer than the employment contract or p… | Permanent residence permits are general… |
| Switzerland B Work Permit (non-EU quotas) | Switzerland | Work permit | Open | - | Typically 1 year for non-EU/EFTA workers (per swissinfo; co… | C settlement permit after 10 years in g… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other ways to live in Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Residence Permit for Salaried Workers Open
- Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Workers Open
Moving to Luxembourg: the complete guide →
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary for a Luxembourg Blue Card?
At least €65,652 gross a year, about €5,471 a month, according to Guichet.lu. Check the current figure before you apply.
How long is a Luxembourg Blue Card valid?
Four years, or the length of your contract plus three months if that is shorter. It can be renewed on the same terms.
Can I apply from inside Luxembourg?
No. The temporary authorisation to stay is applied for from abroad, before you travel, according to Guichet.lu.
How much does it cost?
€80 for the residence permit, according to Guichet.lu. Visa fees, translations and document legalisation are extra.
Sources and last checked · Oct 19, 2026
Notes: The page gives the threshold as current without a date; check before applying.
Figures are our research estimates from the sources above; rules and prices change. Not legal, tax or immigration advice. Spot something out of date? Tell us.