🇱🇺 Luxembourg Citizenship by Descent

EU CITIZENSHIP · Western Europe

Luxembourg's 2017 Nationality Law was specifically designed to reconnect the diaspora — extending citizenship by descent to the 3rd generation (great-grandparent) with no residency or language requirement. Dual citizenship explicitly permitted. One of Europe's wealthiest countries. Full EU citizenship.

Overview

Luxembourg's Nationality Law (Loi du 8 mars 2017 sur la nationalité luxembourgeoise) was a landmark reform specifically designed to reconnect the Luxembourg diaspora — particularly the large communities in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Americas. The law extended citizenship by descent to the 3rd generation (great-grandparent) with no residency or language requirement. Dual citizenship is explicitly permitted. The Luxembourg passport is one of the most powerful in the world, providing full EU citizenship and visa-free access to 190+ countries. Luxembourg is one of Europe's wealthiest countries (highest GDP per capita in the EU).

Step-by-Step Process

1. 1: Verify eligibility: confirm Luxembourg ancestor is a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent — Family records research · 1–2 weeks · ~$0
2. 2: Gather vital records: birth, marriage, and death certificates for yourself and all Luxembourg ancestors in the lineage chain — Local vital records + Luxembourg civil registry (État Civil) · 4–16 weeks · $100–$500
3. 3: Obtain Luxembourg ancestor's civil registration records from the Luxembourg National Archives — Archives nationales de Luxembourg (Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg City) · 4–12 weeks · $50–$200
4. 4: Have all foreign documents apostilled and officially translated into French, German, or Luxembourgish — Secretary of State office + certified translator · 4–8 weeks · $200–$600
5. 5: Submit application at Luxembourg embassy/consulate or Ministry of Justice in Luxembourg City — Luxembourg embassy/consulate or Ministry of Justice (Luxembourg City) · 1 day · €100 application fee
6. 6: Application reviewed and citizenship granted — Luxembourg Ministry of Justice · 6–24 months · None directly
7. 7: Apply for Luxembourg ID card and passport — Luxembourg embassy/consulate or in Luxembourg · 4–8 weeks · ~€30–€60

Advantages

• Full EU citizenship — live, work, and study across all 27 EU member states
• 3-generation limit (great-grandparent) — one of the more generous EU descent pathways
• No residency or language requirement — process handled at Luxembourg embassies worldwide
• Dual citizenship explicitly permitted under the 2017 law
• Luxembourg passport ranks 6th globally with 190+ visa-free countries
• Luxembourg is one of Europe's wealthiest countries (highest GDP per capita in the EU)
• 2017 law specifically designed to reconnect the diaspora

Considerations

• 3-generation limit — great-great-grandparent claims not covered
• Luxembourg civil registry records can be difficult to access from abroad
• Processing times of 6–24 months
• Luxembourg is a small country with limited domestic job market
• Luxembourgish language (not required for descent but useful for residency)

Requirements

• Applicant's birth certificate (apostilled)
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates for all Luxembourg ancestors in the lineage chain
• Luxembourg ancestor's civil registration records from Luxembourg National Archives
• Certified translations into French, German, or Luxembourgish of all foreign documents
• Apostille stamps on all foreign documents
• Completed application form
• Current valid passport (copy)
• €100 application fee

Tax Considerations

Non-resident dual citizens are taxed by Luxembourg only on Luxembourg-sourced income. Luxembourg has a progressive income tax rate (0–42%). Luxembourg has an extensive network of double tax treaties. Tax residency is established by spending more than 183 days per year in Luxembourg.

Frequently Asked Questions

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