The Luxembourg government has announced a significant change to its immigration procedures, effective October 1, 2026. The new procedure will require non-EU citizens who wish to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days to apply for a long-stay visa, known as visa D. This visa will replace the current temporary residence permit, which was previously required. The change aims to harmonize Luxembourg's immigration procedures with those of other EU member states.
The new procedure was validated by the Council of Government in July 2025 and announced on September 23, 2026. It will apply to non-EU citizens who wish to work, study, or join family members in Luxembourg. The visa D will be issued by Luxembourg's diplomatic representations or, in countries where Luxembourg is not represented, by the Belgian embassy. According to the authorities, this reform aims to align national procedures with European practices and enhance security.
The current temporary residence permit procedure will be abolished, and applicants will no longer need to apply to the Directorate General of Immigration before traveling to Luxembourg. Instead, they will apply directly for the visa D at the Luxembourg embassy or consulate in their home country. The visa D will be valid for six months and will allow its holder to travel within the Schengen area.
The new procedure consists of three main steps. First, applicants will submit their application at the Luxembourg embassy or consulate in their home country. Once the application is approved, they will receive the visa D, which will allow them to enter Luxembourg. After arrival, they will need to register with the local authorities within three days and apply for a residence permit.
The change will affect non-EU citizens, including those from Algeria, who wish to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days. The new procedure will apply to various categories, including workers, students, and family members. However, EU citizens, as well as citizens of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, will not be affected by this change.
The Luxembourg government has stated that the reform aims to enhance security and align with European practices. The visa D will provide a more streamlined process for non-EU citizens who wish to stay in Luxembourg for an extended period. The change is expected to simplify the application process and provide more flexibility for applicants.
The new procedure will not affect applications submitted from within Luxembourg, such as requests for replacement, renewal, or change of category of a residence permit. The government has encouraged applicants to anticipate the new procedure and respect the new application requirements. The change is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Key points
- The new visa D procedure will replace the temporary residence permit for non-EU citizens staying in Luxembourg for more than 90 days.
- The change aims to harmonize Luxembourg's immigration procedures with those of other EU member states.
- The new procedure will apply to various categories, including workers, students, and family members.
