Asylum and international protection in Luxembourg

International protection is open only to third-country nationals and stateless persons; applications by EU citizens are inadmissible. Luxembourg recognises refugee status, for people with a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, and subsidiary protection, for people who do not qualify as refugees but face a real risk of serious harm such as the death penalty, torture or indiscriminate violence in armed conflict. Temporary protection exists only after an EU Council decision on a mass influx.

Since 12 June 2026 the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and the Luxembourg law of 11 June 2026 apply. Claims lodged before that date follow the procedure of the law of 18 December 2015, but the new qualification rules (Regulation 2024/1347) and asylum and migration management rules (Regulation 2024/1351) apply to everyone.

Only one EU state is responsible for each claim. Another state may be responsible if a family member lives there, if it issued you a residence permit, visa or diploma, if you entered the EU through it, or if you already applied there; in that case Luxembourg declares itself not competent and you are transferred.

A claim is inadmissible if you have protection in a first country of asylum or another EU state, if a safe third country exists where you could have settled, if you were relocated by an international criminal court, if you applied more than seven working days after receiving a return decision, or if a subsequent claim contains nothing new.

You state your wish to apply for international protection in person to the DGIM refugees department, the Grand Ducal Police, the National Reception Office (ONA), the National Office for Children (ONE) or, if detained, at the detention centre or prison. Unaccompanied minors can apply themselves or through an ad hoc administrator appointed by a family judge within 15 working days.

People who entered the Schengen area without the required checks undergo screening: identity check, photo and fingerprints, an interview on their journey and a health and vulnerability assessment, completed within three days and usually within one day. To register and lodge the claim you then go in person to the DGIM, receive information on your rights in a language you understand, hand over identity and other documents against a receipt and get an appointment for formal lodging.

After registration you receive the applicant certificate (the pink document), which is valid only in Luxembourg and must be renewed in person at the date shown on its back. You may not leave the country; leaving can lead to the file being closed. Within eight days you declare your usual residence at a commune.

You are invited to an audio-recorded personal interview at the DGIM, where each adult explains separately why they left and what they fear. A lawyer may attend and the DGIM provides an interpreter. Only medical reasons excuse absence. The written report is read back to you for corrections and signature; if it is drawn up later you have eight days to comment. A language test or medical examination may be ordered.

In the normal procedure a decision is generally taken within six months of lodging, extendable by six more months in cases of very high numbers of claims, complex issues or delays caused by the applicant. The accelerated procedure, used for example for safe countries of origin, manifestly unfounded statements or nationalities with an EU recognition rate of 20% or less, generally ends within three months.

After lodging, you can contact ONA for social support, accommodation and material aid; unaccompanied minors are supported by ONE. You have the right to a free interpreter and to legal aid, or to a lawyer of your choice registered with a Luxembourg bar. Since 12 June 2026 no temporary work permit is needed: four months after registration, if no final decision has been taken and the delay is not your fault, you may sign an employment contract; for claims after that date, the date from which you may work is printed on the back of the pink document.

Recognised refugees and subsidiary protection holders receive a five-year residence permit and the same access as Luxembourg nationals to social security, housing, education and healthcare, and may work as employees or self-employed. Refugees receive a refugee travel document; subsidiary protection holders travel on their national passport or on documents issued by the DGIM if they cannot obtain one.

In the normal procedure you can appeal the refusal and the removal order to the Administrative Tribunal within 20 days of notification; this appeal suspends removal. The Tribunal's judgment can be appealed to the Administrative Court within 15 days, without suspensive effect. In the accelerated procedure, and against inadmissibility or closure decisions, the deadline is 10 days, the Tribunal's decision is final and the appeal is not suspensive, although you can ask the court to let you stay. Appeals must be filed by a lawyer registered with a bar.

After a final refusal you are invited to leave voluntarily within 30 days and can contact info@movingforward.public.lu for return and reintegration support; nationals of visa-free countries are not entitled to the financial support. Without departure, forced removal and an entry ban of up to five years can follow.

Ministry of Home Affairs, General Department of Immigration, Department for refugees: 26 route d'Arlon, L-1140 Luxembourg, tel. +352 247 84 565. Reception and accommodation: National Reception Office (ONA), which also runs an information portal for applicants (info-dpi.public.lu).