Luxembourg student visa and residence permit

The student permit is for people admitted to a higher education establishment in Luxembourg to follow, as their main activity, a full-time course leading to a higher education degree or diploma. Recognised establishments are the University of Luxembourg, schools awarding the advanced technician's certificate (BTS) and approved private higher education institutions. Doctoral candidates enrolled in a PhD programme are treated as students, not researchers.

Pupils in primary or secondary school use a separate "pupil" category, and third-country family members of EU citizens need no prior authorisation to study. Applicants under 18 need written parental authorisation.

You must show resources for living costs during your studies and for the journey home equal to at least 80% of the social inclusion income (REVIS) in force. With the social parameters from 1 June 2026 (EUR 972.20 per adult and EUR 972.20 for common household costs), that works out at about EUR 1,555 a month for a single person.

Accepted proof is an original grant or student loan certificate stating amount and duration; an original bank certificate in your name; a parent's bank certificate confirming that they can cover your living, health and tuition costs for at least 12 months plus the trip home; or a statement of financial support signed by a guarantor who is Luxembourgish or legally resident in Luxembourg, whose original the guarantor sends to the DGIM. Free accommodation and a job of up to 15 hours a week also count.

Since 1 October 2026 Luxembourg no longer asks first-time applicants to obtain a temporary authorisation to stay from Luxembourg before the visa. You file one visa D application for a residence permit "student" with the Luxembourg (or, where Luxembourg has no post, Belgian) embassy responsible for your country of residence, or with its external service provider. Files lodged on or before 30 September 2026 continue under the old procedure.

The embassy only forwards complete files; the decision is taken by the General Department of Immigration (DGIM) of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Receipt of the file does not mean it is complete. The national visa form is completed in English or French, with one ICAO photo under three months old and a passport issued within the last ten years and valid at least six months beyond the planned stay. Documents in other languages than English, French or German need a sworn translation.

Because the embassy or its service provider now collects the file, students no longer wait for a letter from Luxembourg before booking the visa appointment. Start as soon as you have the admission letter, since the DGIM may set a deadline for missing papers and the 60-day clock stops until they arrive.

The official response time is in principle no more than 60 days. If information is missing, the minister says what is needed and sets a reasonable deadline, and the 60 days are suspended. Without any answer within three months the application can be treated as refused. Approved applicants receive a six-month visa D.

The visa D is valid for six months and only opens the door; the residence permit is issued in Luxembourg. Within three days of arrival you declare your arrival at the commune where you live, showing your passport with the valid visa and, if you have it, your lease. The date of that declaration normally becomes the start date of the residence permit, and no permit is issued without a valid legal address.

As soon as possible you also complete the medical check for foreigners: an examination by a general practitioner, internist or paediatrician practising in Luxembourg plus a tuberculosis screening (at a laboratory on the doctor's prescription or at the Ligue médico-sociale; children between 2 months and 2 years have a tuberculin test at the Ligue). The Health Directorate sends the resulting certificate directly to the General Department of Immigration (DGIM).

The residence permit application must reach the DGIM, in the same category as your visa, no later than three months before the visa D expires. It can be filed on MyGuichet.lu (with or without LuxTrust or eID) or by post, with a full copy of the passport, the commune's arrival declaration and proof of suitable housing if it was not already in the visa file. When it is approved you pay the EUR 80 issuance fee, book an appointment for photo and fingerprints, and collect the biometric card about one week later.

Renew at the DGIM at least two months before the card expires, with your passport, proof of enrolment, proof of resources (including six months of bank statements if you rely on a bank certificate) and a recent Luxembourg criminal record extract (bulletin no. 3); the fee is again EUR 80. If you complete a Luxembourg university course of at least five years, you can apply before the student permit ends for a salaried or self-employed permit linked to your field, through a simplified procedure.

With the student residence permit you may work on average up to 15 hours a week per month outside study time. The cap does not apply in school holidays, to research done for a doctorate in the university or an accredited institute, or to assistants employed by the University of Luxembourg. The employer files a written declaration with the DGIM before hiring and informs it within three working days of your first day. Traineeships that are part of your course need no separate trainee permit.