Luxembourg · Freelance visa · Open
Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Workers
Luxembourg's residence permit for self-employed workers lets non-EU founders and freelancers live in Luxembourg and run their own business. You need a business permit where your activity requires one, the qualifications for the work, a business plan with financing, proof of enough resources, and an activity that serves Luxembourg's economic interests, for example by creating jobs, investing or bringing innovation.
The permit lasts up to three years and can be renewed for up to three more at a time. Check the official Guichet.lu page before you apply.
At a glance
Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Workers (Titre de sejour travailleur independant)
- Who it’s for
- Non-EU entrepreneurs and freelancers with a viable business that serves Luxembourg's economic interests
- How it’s calculated
- Proof of sufficient resources for the activity; no fixed amount on the official page.
- Initial stay
- Up to 3 years
- Renewal
- Yes, for up to 3 more years at a time
- 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
- Normally within 3 months; no answer after that counts as a refusal
- Fees
- EUR 80 for the residence permit and EUR 80 to renew.
- Tax
- Business income is taxed in Luxembourg; get local accounting advice.
Key requirements
- Business permit from the Ministry of the Economy where the activity needs one
- Qualifications for the activity
- Business plan and financing plan
- Proof of sufficient resources
- Activity that meets an economic need (jobs, investment, innovation)
- Physical presence to manage the business day to day
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
Founders and freelancers with a viable business in Luxembourg. The authorities look at whether the activity meets an economic need, whether you have the qualifications and resources, and whether you will manage the business in person.
Money requirement
No fixed amount is published. You must show sufficient resources for the activity and your stay, and a financing plan for the business.
Documents you'll need
- A valid passport.
- A business permit from the Ministry of the Economy, where your activity needs one.
- Proof of your qualifications.
- A business plan and financing plan.
- Proof of sufficient resources.
Step-by-step application
- Check whether your activity needs a business permit and apply for it.
- Prepare your business plan and financing plan.
- Apply for the temporary authorisation to stay from abroad.
- Get a D visa if your nationality needs one.
- Declare your arrival, 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. Decisions are normally made within three months, and no answer after that counts as a refusal.
Taxes once you're resident
Business income is taxed in Luxembourg, and you will pay social contributions as a self-employed person. Get local accounting advice. See our Luxembourg guide.
Family members
Your spouse or partner and children can join you through family reunification.
Renewal and long-term residence
The permit can be renewed for up to three years at a time while the business continues to meet the conditions. Long-term residence is possible after 5 years.
Alternatives
If you have a job offer, the Luxembourg EU Blue Card is usually simpler. For a founder route nearby, compare the Belgium professional card, or Finland's start-up permit.
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium Professional Card (Self-Employed) | Belgium | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 5 years; a first card is usually probationary for 2 y… | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Czech Freelance / Business Visa (Zivno Trade Licence) | Czechia | Freelance visa | Open | - | Long-term visa for up to 1 year | Permanent residence generally follows f… |
| France Freelance and Entrepreneur Visa (Profession Libérale) | France | Freelance visa | Open | €1,867/mo income | Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for 1 year; vali… | About 5 years of residence; conditions … |
| Germany Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) | Germany | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 3 years | A settlement permit can be applied for … |
| Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Workers | Luxembourg | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 3 years | Long-term residence after 5 years |
| Portugal D2 Visa (Independent Worker and Entrepreneur) | Portugal | Freelance visa | Open | - | Residence visa valid 120 days, then a 2-year residence perm… | 5 years of legal residence; citizenship… |
| Sweden Self-Employed Permit | Sweden | Freelance visa | Open | €17,819 investment | Up to 2 years, never beyond passport validity | Permanent residence permits are general… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other freelance visas in Europe
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium Professional Card (Self-Employed) | Belgium | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 5 years; a first card is usually probationary for 2 y… | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Czech Freelance / Business Visa (Zivno Trade Licence) | Czechia | Freelance visa | Open | - | Long-term visa for up to 1 year | Permanent residence generally follows f… |
| France Freelance and Entrepreneur Visa (Profession Libérale) | France | Freelance visa | Open | €1,867/mo income | Long-stay visa valid as a residence permit for 1 year; vali… | About 5 years of residence; conditions … |
| Germany Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) | Germany | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 3 years | A settlement permit can be applied for … |
| Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Workers | Luxembourg | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 3 years | Long-term residence after 5 years |
| Portugal D2 Visa (Independent Worker and Entrepreneur) | Portugal | Freelance visa | Open | - | Residence visa valid 120 days, then a 2-year residence perm… | 5 years of legal residence; citizenship… |
| Sweden Self-Employed Permit | Sweden | Freelance visa | Open | €17,819 investment | Up to 2 years, never beyond passport validity | Permanent residence permits are general… |
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
Can I freelance in Luxembourg as an American?
Yes, with the residence permit for self-employed workers. You need a viable business, a business permit where required, qualifications and enough resources.
How long is the self-employed permit valid?
Up to three years, renewable for up to three years at a time.
What counts as economic interest?
Guichet.lu mentions things like creating jobs, investing, innovation or meeting an economic need. Explain this clearly in your business plan.
How much does it cost?
€80 for the residence permit and €80 for each renewal, plus any business permit costs.
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.