Luxembourg Replaces Temporary Residence Authorization Process with Long-Stay Visa D

• Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, Luxembourg will require most third-country nationals seeking to reside for more than 90 days to apply for a Long-Stay Visa D abroad rather than first obtaining a temporary residence authorization.  

Long-Stay Visa D to Replace the Temporary Residence Authorization Process  

The government of Luxembourg is reforming its immigration process for first-time applicants for a residence permit. Effective Oct. 1, 2026, the country will replace its longstanding temporary residence authorization procedure with a Long-Stay Visa D application process, aligning its immigration system with practices used across the European Union (EU).  

Under the new process, third-country nationals seeking to reside in Luxembourg for more than 90 days will no longer need to obtain a temporary residence authorization before traveling. Instead, applicants must submit a Long-Stay Visa D application through a Luxembourg diplomatic mission or, where Luxembourg is not represented, the appropriate Belgian embassy abroad.  

Luxembourg Aligns with European Standards 

According to the government, the change is intended to align Luxembourg’s immigration procedures with those used by other EU member states. 

The government noted that Luxembourg was the last EU member state maintaining a separate national temporary residence authorization process for first-time applicants.  

Impacted Individuals

The new procedure applies to most non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals planning to reside in Luxembourg for more than 90 days, including those traveling for: 

• Employment 
• Studies 
• Family reunification 
• Other long-term residence purposes  

Exemptions 

The new process does not apply to: 

EU citizens and qualifying family members 

• Nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland 
• UK nationals protected under the Withdrawal Agreement 
• Residence permit renewals, replacements or category changes 
• Individuals applying for international protection (asylum)  

How the New Process Will Work 

Beginning Oct. 1, 2026: 

1. Applicants must file their application in person at a Luxembourg embassy or, where Luxembourg is not represented, the competent Belgian embassy. 
2. Approved applicants will receive a Long-Stay Visa D valid for six months. 
3. The visa holder may enter Luxembourg and travel within the Schengen Area while awaiting issuance of a residence permit. 
4. After arrival, individuals must submit an arrival declaration to their local municipality within three days and then apply for their residence permit with the immigration authorities.  

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