Luxembourg · Work permit · Open
Luxembourg Residence Permit for Salaried Workers: How It Works
The residence permit for salaried workers is Luxembourg's standard route for non-EU employees who do not qualify for the EU Blue Card. Your employer must first declare the vacancy to ADEM, the national employment agency. If no suitable candidate from Luxembourg or the EU is found within three weeks, ADEM can issue a certificate that lets the employer hire you.
The first permit lasts up to one year for one profession in one sector. The first renewal can last up to three years and opens access to any sector. Read the official Guichet.lu page before you start.
At a glance
Luxembourg Residence Permit for Salaried Workers (Titre de sejour travailleur salarie)
- Who it’s for
- Non-EU workers with a Luxembourg job that could not be filled from the local or EU labour market
- How it’s calculated
- No minimum salary on the official page beyond normal Luxembourg pay rules; the employer must first declare the vacancy to ADEM.
- Initial stay
- Up to 1 year, for one profession in one sector
- Renewal
- Yes: first renewal up to 3 years with access to any sector and profession
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term residence after 5 years
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- Yes
- Health insurance required
- No
- Processing time
- Temporary authorisation normally decided within 3 months
- Fees
- EUR 80 for the residence permit and EUR 80 to renew.
- Tax
- Taxed like other employees in Luxembourg.
Key requirements
- Employer declares the vacancy to ADEM; if not filled within 3 weeks, ADEM can issue a certificate allowing a non-EU hire
- Signed employment contract
- Temporary authorisation to stay applied for from abroad (not from inside Luxembourg)
- D visa if your nationality needs one
- Declaration of arrival, medical check and residence permit application within 3 months
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 a job offer in Luxembourg that could not be filled from the local or EU labour market. The official page does not set a minimum salary beyond normal Luxembourg pay rules. Americans, Canadians, Brits and Australians all follow the same process.
The ADEM step
Your employer declares the vacancy to ADEM. If ADEM does not propose a suitable candidate within three weeks, it can issue a certificate allowing the employer to hire a non-EU worker. If your salary reaches the threshold, the EU Blue Card is the alternative for highly qualified jobs.
Documents you'll need
- A valid passport.
- Your signed employment contract.
- The ADEM certificate.
- Proof of qualifications for the job.
- Later, a medical check and the residence permit application.
Step-by-step application
- Your employer declares the vacancy to ADEM.
- If ADEM issues the certificate, you sign the contract.
- Apply for the temporary authorisation to stay from outside Luxembourg.
- Get a D visa if your nationality needs one.
- Declare your arrival at your commune, take the medical check and apply for the residence permit within three months.
Costs and timeline
The residence permit costs €80, and so does each renewal. The temporary authorisation is normally decided within three months.
Taxes once you're resident
You are taxed like other employees in Luxembourg. See our Luxembourg guide for rates and tax classes.
Family members
Your spouse or partner and children can join you through family reunification.
Renewal and long-term residence
The first renewal can be for up to three years and lets you work in any sector and profession. Long-term residence is possible after 5 years.
| 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
Moving to Luxembourg: the complete guide →
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a work permit in Luxembourg?
Your employer declares the vacancy to ADEM. If no suitable local or EU candidate is found within three weeks, ADEM can issue a certificate, and you then apply for a temporary authorisation to stay from abroad.
Can I apply from inside Luxembourg?
No. The temporary authorisation to stay must be applied for from outside Luxembourg, according to Guichet.lu.
Can I change jobs?
The first permit is tied to one profession in one sector. After the first renewal, you can work in any sector and profession.
How much does it cost?
€80 for the residence permit and €80 for each renewal.
Sources and last checked · Oct 19, 2026
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.