Luxembourg's D visa: the new first step for Americans staying past 90 days
Since October 1, 2026, Americans moving to Luxembourg apply in person at a Luxembourg consulate before they fly. Here's how it works and which permit has to sit behind it.
The visa is the easy part. What decides your move is the permit behind it: a job, a business, serious capital, a school place or family already living here. U.S. retirement income on its own won't get you in.
New as of October 2026
What changed on October 1, 2026
Until September 30, 2026, Americans asked Luxembourg's immigration directorate for a temporary authorization to stay, then flew in visa-free. Luxembourg was the last EU country running that separate step. It's gone now. The Foreign Ministry says the D visa is required for all third-country nationals staying more than 90 days, and Americans are third-country nationals. Files lodged on or before September 30 finish under the old rules.
You apply in person at the office that covers your state. Honorary consulates don't handle visas. The embassy asks for complete visa applications at least 15 days before you leave; give yourself far more room than that.
The D visa is good for six months. It gets you in and lets you travel around the Schengen Area while your residence permit is being issued.
- New York consulate: CT, DE, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VT
- San Francisco consulate: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT and WA
- Embassy in Washington, D.C.: every other state, plus D.C.
National Visa (Type D)
Required for US citizens planning to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days for purposes such as work, study, family reunification, or other long-term stays. Application must be submitted at a Luxembourg consulate or embassy before arrival.
- Government cost
- $99
- Processing time
- ~60 days
- Timeline
- More than 90 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Key requirements
- Valid passport
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Health insurance
- Purpose-specific documents (e.g., work contract, enrollment letter, family reunification proof)
- Clean criminal record
The permit behind your visa, by where your money comes from
You have capital to invest
The investor permit starts at about $569,000 (€500,000) in a Luxembourg company. A new business must create five jobs within three years. Larger options: about $3.4 million (€3 million) in an investment structure or $22.8 million (€20 million) on deposit. Up to three years, renewable.
A high Luxembourg salary
The EU Blue Card needs at least about $74,700 a year (€65,652), the floor since March 3, 2026. No labor market test, a four-year first card, and your spouse and kids can apply with you.
Any other job offer
Your employer lists the job with ADEM, the national employment agency, for three weeks first. Year one ties you to one profession in one sector; renewals open up any job for up to three years.
Your own business
The self-employed permit runs up to three years. You show the qualifications and adequate resources for the work. There's no digital nomad visa, so remote freelancers usually go this way.
A school place
Students show monthly resources of at least 80% of Luxembourg's social inclusion income and can work an average of 15 hours a week during term.
Family already here
Your sponsor needs income at least equal to the unskilled minimum wage, now about $3,150 a month (€2,771.33), averaged over 12 months. Family members who come this way can work.
Retiring on U.S. income? This route is closed
Since May 12, 2023, Luxembourg's permit for people living on their own means accepts only income from work in another EU or Schengen country, or a pension paid by a Luxembourg or other EU or Schengen social security body. U.S. Social Security and U.S. pensions don't count. Your realistic options are the investor permit or joining a spouse who works here.
Step by step
From consulate appointment to residence card
- Line up your permit basis. A job offer, business plan, investment or school place, depending on your route.
- Apply for the D visa in person at the Luxembourg office for your state.
- Declare your address within 3 days of arrival at the commune (town hall) where you'll live.
- File for your residence permit within 3 months of entry, with the €80 fee (about $91).
Under the old procedure, the ministry usually decided within 3 to 4 months, and family reunification could take up to 9. Timelines for the new D visa route weren't published as of September 2026, so don't sign a lease or give notice on a short runway.
Here's the catch on health coverage
With a Luxembourg employer, you're in the public system. Without one, voluntary public insurance costs about $177 a month (€155.19) and pays nothing for your first three months. Budget private coverage for that gap.
The long game: residence, then a Luxembourg passport
5 years
To EU long-term residence
absences under 6 months in a row, 10 in total
5 years
To citizenship
final year uninterrupted
A2 / B1
Luxembourgish, speaking / listening
required to naturalize
Yes
Keep your U.S. passport
dual nationality allowed since 2009
People who can help with the paperwork
Plan-B Outbound Migration
Multi-Country Visa Support
Multi-country visa support for Americans moving abroad, from choosing the right permit to assembling the application.
Legalize That Doc
Document Preparation
Document preparation for use overseas: FBI background checks, vital records, apostilles and legalizations.
Hunter Schultz
Healthcare Coach
A healthcare coach who helps you plan care and coverage for your new country before you land.
ExpatInsure
Global Health Insurance
International health insurance for expats, including policies for a residence permit file.
MyExpatTaxes
U.S. Expat Tax Service
Tax filing software built for Americans abroad, with expert help for complex returns.
Luxembourg D visa questions
Where do Americans apply for a Luxembourg D visa?
At the Luxembourg office that covers your state. New York handles CT, DE, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VT. San Francisco handles AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT and WA. The embassy in Washington, D.C., covers every other state and D.C. Honorary consulates don't process visas.
How long is a Luxembourg D visa valid?
Six months. It lets you enter Luxembourg and travel within the Schengen Area while your residence permit is issued. Within 3 days of arriving you declare your address at your commune, and within 3 months of entry you file for the residence permit, which costs €80 (about $91 in September 2026).
How much do I need to earn for a Luxembourg EU Blue Card?
At least €65,652 a year gross (about $74,700 in September 2026), the threshold since March 3, 2026. Blue Card jobs skip the three-week labor market test at ADEM, the first card lasts four years (or the contract plus three months if shorter), and your spouse and minor children can apply with you.
Does Luxembourg have a digital nomad visa?
No. Remote freelancers usually apply for Luxembourg's self-employed permit, which runs up to three years and requires the qualifications and adequate resources for the work. If you plan to stay on a U.S. employer's payroll, check your options with an immigration lawyer first.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa to live in Luxembourg?
Yes. Since October 1, 2026, Americans who plan to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days need a long-stay D visa before they travel. You apply in person at the Luxembourg embassy in Washington, D.C., or the consulates general in New York or San Francisco, depending on your state. The D visa replaces the temporary authorization to stay that Americans used to get before entering visa-free.
Can I become a Luxembourg citizen and keep my U.S. passport?
Yes. Luxembourg has allowed dual nationality since January 1, 2009. You need at least 5 years of legal residence with the final year uninterrupted, a pass on the Luxembourgish language test (A2 speaking, B1 listening) and the civic course or test. The naturalization procedure itself is free.
What if I applied for a temporary authorization to stay before October 1, 2026?
Luxembourg's Foreign Ministry says applications submitted on or before September 30, 2026 continue under the old procedure. Anything filed from October 1, 2026 goes through the new D visa process at a Luxembourg embassy or consulate.
Can I retire in Luxembourg on U.S. Social Security?
No, not on that income alone. Since May 12, 2023, Luxembourg's permit for people living on their own means accepts only income from work in another EU or Schengen country, or a pension paid by a Luxembourg or other EU or Schengen social security body. Americans with capital can look at the investor permit, which starts at €500,000 (about $569,000) invested in a Luxembourg company.
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