Thinking about moving to Luxembourg for work? Great choice. The Grand Duchy has a steady economy, good salaries, and a welcoming immigration system—especially if you prepare your paperwork the right way. This guide walks Indian applicants through the entire process in simple language, from the first employer step to the visa, arrival tasks, fees, and timelines. You’ll also find crisp tables under each section so you can scan and go.
Why Luxembourg—and why now?
Luxembourg is small, international, and very well paid. It’s home to global banks, funds, fintech, data centers, EU institutions, logistics hubs, and a thriving startup scene.
Fast facts for jobseekers
| Reason | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| High baseline pay | Luxembourg’s legal minimum monthly salary (from 1 May 2025) is €2,703.74 for unskilled workers and €3,244.48 for qualified workers. That’s your legal floor. |
| Clear process | Work migration follows a predictable 2-step path: (1) temporary authorisation to stay before travel, then (2) type D visa (if required), and finally residence permit after arrival. |
| Employer support | Employers must work with ADEM (Luxembourg’s employment agency). Shortage roles can get certificates issued in as fast as 5 working days. |
The work migration basics (for Indian citizens)
Luxembourg uses three different approvals in sequence. Think of them as green lights you collect one by one.
| Approval | When you get it | Who issues it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADEM certificate (employer) | Before you apply | ADEM (employment agency) | Confirms your future employer can hire a third-country national (you). Faster for shortage jobs. |
| Temporary Authorisation to Stay | Before travel | Ministry of Home Affairs – Immigration Directorate | Lets you apply for a Type D visa and travel. Valid 90 days to enter and continue the process. Max decision time 4 months. |
| Type D visa (long-stay) | After authorisation | Luxembourg consulate / Embassy (via VFS in India) | Entry visa for stays >90 days (work, study, etc.). In India, posted fee is INR 4,800 (plus VFS service charges). |
| Residence permit (work) | After arrival | Immigration Directorate | Your physical card (work+residence). Apply within 3 months of arrival and pay €80. First card usually valid up to 1 year. |
Who is eligible? (General rules that apply to most Indian workers)
To work long-term (>90 days), you’ll typically need:
| Requirement | What counts as evidence |
|---|---|
| A job offer compliant with Luxembourg labour law | Signed employment contract; employer’s ADEM certificate attached to your authorisation request. |
| Qualifications/experience for the role | Degree/diploma copies; CV; professional certificates. (Translations into FR/DE/EN if needed.) |
| Clean criminal record | Recent police clearance/court record extract from your country of residence. |
| Valid passport | Full copy of the passport; renew if expiring in <6 months. |
| For EU Blue Card (optional route) | Higher-skilled role + contract of ≥6 months and salary threshold (€58,968 in 2024; check the current figure). |
Tip: There is no general language test listed for work visas. Employers may still ask for English, French, or German depending on the role. (Luxembourg is very multilingual.)
Document checklist (what each party prepares)
A. Employer side (ADEM certificate)
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vacancy declaration to ADEM | Job posted with ADEM; normally open 2 months unless withdrawn. |
| Certificate request | If the role is on the high-labour-shortage list, ADEM issues a certificate within 5 business days. If not, ADEM checks the market (7 business days; can propose candidates within +15 days). |
B. Applicant side (Temporary Authorisation to Stay)
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application letter + full passport copy | Submit from outside Luxembourg (from your country). |
| Criminal record extract | Or sworn affidavit if applicable. |
| CV + degree/certificates | Attach official translations if not in FR/DE/EN. |
| Signed employment contract | With the employer in Luxembourg. |
| Original ADEM certificate | The employer hands this to you for your file. |
C. Applicant side (Type D visa—India route)
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa D form + photo | File at VFS Global – Luxembourg (India); Embassy of Luxembourg in New Delhi is the competent mission. |
| Passport | Recent + with blank pages; copies of used pages. |
| Copy of temporary authorisation | Mandatory. |
| Visa fee | INR 4,800 (plus VFS service fee and optional services). Fees vary with exchange rates. |
Step-by-step: From job offer to residence card
Step 1 — Employer gets an ADEM certificate
| What happens | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Employer declares the vacancy to ADEM | Vacancy is active 2 months unless withdrawn; employer can request a third-country national certificate. |
| If role is on shortage list | Certificate in 5 business days. |
| If not on shortage list | ADEM checks available local/EU candidates (7 business days), may propose candidates (+15 business days). If none fit—and employer justifies rejections—certificate is issued within 10 business days. Valid 3 months. |
Employer tip: Send the original certificate to the candidate. You’ll also need to notify the Immigration Directorate within 3 working days of the employee’s actual start date later on.
Step 2 — You apply for a Temporary Authorisation to Stay
| What happens | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Submit your paper application to the Immigration Directorate (or a Luxembourg consulate) from outside the country, with the documents listed above. | The maximum decision time is 4 months. If no reply by then, it’s deemed refused. If approved, the authorisation arrives by post and is valid 90 days to continue your process. |
Step 3 — Apply for the Type D visa (India → VFS Global)
| What happens | Timeline/fees |
|---|---|
| Book at VFS Global Luxembourg (India) and lodge your D-visa file with your authorisation attached. | VFS posts a long-term visa fee of INR 4,800 (plus service charge INR 2,112 and optional services). Processing time: generally around 15 days, longer if documents are missing (embassy time only; transit adds days). |
| (Example from another mission) | The Embassy of Luxembourg in Moscow publishes visa D fee €50 and typical processing in 10 working days; the D visa can be valid from 90 days up to 1 year, depending on the case. Use as an indicator—always follow your filing mission’s current rules. |
Step 4 — Land in Luxembourg: three mandatory actions
| Task | Deadline | Proof/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Declare arrival at your commune (town hall) | Within 3 days of arrival | Bring passport + visa/authorisation + proof of address. The arrival receipt plus your authorisation together act as a temporary work + stay right until your card is issued. |
| Medical check (doctor exam + TB screening) | As soon as possible | Health Directorate sends the medical certificate to Immigration and this unlocks the residence-permit stage. |
| Apply for your residence permit (work) | Within 3 months of entry | Apply online (MyGuichet) or by post. Pay €80; later you’ll be invited for biometrics to print the card. |
Fees, processing times, and validity (at a glance)
| Stage | Government fee | Typical processing | Validity/notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADEM certificate | — | 5 business days (shortage list) or market checks up to ~7 + 15 business days; then issue within 5–10 business days depending on outcome. Valid 3 months. | |
| Temporary Authorisation to Stay | — (no fee listed) | Up to 4 months maximum for a decision. | Authorisation valid 90 days to continue with visa/arrival. |
| Type D visa (India) | INR 4,800 + VFS service charges; price varies with exchange rate. | Embassy processing generally ~15 days (can extend if docs missing) | D-visa validity varies; other missions show 90 days–1 year. |
| Residence permit (work) | €80 (bank transfer to the Ministry; include communication line) | A few days after biometrics to print the card (after medical certificate arrives). | First card up to 1 year, tied to one sector + one profession; renewals up to 3 years and open to any sector/profession. |
Which permit should I choose?
Most Indian hires use the “salaried worker” route. If you’re highly skilled with a strong salary, consider the EU Blue Card.
| Route | Good fit when… | Key extras |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried worker | You have a Luxembourg job offer and your employer will request the ADEM certificate. | First card up to 1 year; linked to sector/profession; more open at renewal. |
| EU Blue Card | You’re highly skilled, have a contract ≥6 months, and meet the salary threshold (€58,968 in 2024; check current year). | No labour-market test for Blue Card in Luxembourg; initial card up to 4 years; fee €80; decision up to 3 months. |
“Can my family join me?”
Yes. Spouses/partners and minor children can apply under family reunification. The process is also two-step (authorisation to stay before entry; then, after arrival, arrival declaration, medical check, residence permit). Requirements include adequate housing, resources, and documents proving family ties. Always check the current list and forms.
Family steps (summary)
| Step | What they do |
|---|---|
| Before travel | Apply for temporary authorisation to stay, then Type D visa if visa-required. |
| After arrival | Declare arrival, medical check, apply for residence permit. |
Job market & salary snapshot (indicative)
Luxembourg salaries vary by sector, seniority, and company. Here are indicative data points to help you benchmark offers.
| Role / metric | Indicative figures |
|---|---|
| Legal minimum (unskilled) | €2,703.74 per month (from 1 May 2025). |
| Legal minimum (qualified) | €3,244.48 per month (from 1 May 2025). |
| EU Blue Card threshold | €58,968 gross/year (2024 threshold; confirm current). |
| IT Engineer (market data) | ~€60k–€95k typical range; averages around the low-to-mid €80k on crowd-sourced data. Treat as directional only. |
| Software Engineer (salary model) | SalaryExpert cites ~€125k average (methodology-based estimate; not an offer). Use with caution for negotiations. |
For up-to-date banding by discipline (finance, tech, legal, HR), consult annual salary guides (Hays, Robert Half) and recent postings. These change each year.
Cost of living & setup (what to budget)
Luxembourg is premium-priced, especially for housing. Plan ahead.
| Item | Reality check |
|---|---|
| Monthly spend | Government/press reviews and expat sources suggest higher living costs vs EU average. Target a healthy buffer for rent and transport. |
| Rent | Official housing observatory reports show rental supply and prices evolving; expect high rents in Luxembourg City and close communes. |
| Everyday costs | Crowd-sourced trackers (Numbeo/Expatistan) provide ballpark figures for groceries, dining, and transport; use as a guide, not gospel. |
Starter budget (indicative, single professional)
| Bucket | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed) | Market-dependent; city core is the priciest. Check listings and temporary housing while you search. |
| Transport | Public transport within Luxembourg is free for passengers (not cited above, but plan for cross-border commuting if living in FR/DE/BE). |
| Utilities & internet | Expect EU-style prices; varies by building and usage. |
| Groceries & eating out | Higher than many EU capitals; compare with recent crowd-sourced baskets. |
Housing moves fast. Many newcomers start with serviced apartments or employer-provided relocation support, then pick a longer-term lease.
After you arrive: compliance checklist
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Arrival declaration at your commune (within 3 days) | Mandatory; you’ll get a receipt that, with your authorisation, lets you work while the card is made. |
| Medical check (doctor + TB) | The Health Directorate sends a medical certificate to Immigration; your residence card is processed only after this. |
| Residence-permit application | File online/by post within 3 months and pay €80; then attend biometrics. |
| Employer notification | Your employer must notify Immigration within 3 working days of your start date. |
Validity, renewal, and job changes
| Topic | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| First work card | Valid up to 1 year, tied to one sector and one profession (any employer in that scope). |
| Renewal | From the first renewal, permits can be issued up to 3 years and are open to any sector/profession, provided you’ve actually worked during validity (or meet rules if on benefits). |
| Blue Card | Typically up to 4 years initially; Luxembourg does not apply a labour-market test for Blue Cards. Fee €80; decision up to 3 months. |
Common reasons for delays or refusals (and how to avoid them)
| Pitfall | How to prevent it |
|---|---|
| Incomplete application | Luxembourg only processes complete files; missing items pause or derail your case. Use the checklists carefully. |
| Wrong timing | Respect validity windows (e.g., authorisation 90 days, visa filing cut-offs). Some embassies process D-visas in ~10–15 working days, but delays happen—apply early. |
| ADEM stage not done | Your employer must handle ADEM first (or use Blue Card route). Without the certificate, your authorisation cannot go through. |
| Translations | Documents not in FR/DE/EN need official translations by a sworn translator. |
Pro tips to speed things up
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Sync with HR early | ADEM timing and certificate validity (3 months) affect all later dates. |
| Use the exact payment ref for the €80 permit fee | The Ministry asks for a bank transfer with the correct “communication” line; this reduces back-and-forth. |
| Book medical quickly | Immigration can only finish your card after the Health Directorate sends your medical certificate. |
| Carry copies | Keep paper and digital copies of all approvals (ADEM certificate, authorisation, arrival declaration, fee receipt). |
Quick FAQ (for Indian applicants)
Do I need a job offer before I apply?
Yes. Your employer must first clear the ADEM step and give you the original certificate before you apply for the temporary authorisation to stay.
How long does the whole thing take?
Employer ADEM step can be 5–30+ business days depending on shortage status and referrals. Temporary authorisation can take up to 4 months. The D-visa is often ~10–15 working days at the embassy once your file is complete. Then do arrival steps and the residence card (biometrics → a few days). Plan a few months end-to-end.
What are the current visa fees in India?
VFS India posts INR 4,800 for long-term (Type D) applications, plus a VFS service fee and optional services (SMS, courier, lounge, etc.). Fees vary with exchange rate—always check the VFS page before you pay.
How much will my first residence card cost?
€80, payable to the Ministry when you apply for the residence permit.
Can I change jobs after I arrive?
During the first year, your permit is tied to one sector and one profession. After renewal, it becomes more flexible (any sector/profession).
Is the EU Blue Card better for me?
If you meet the salary threshold and skill conditions, Blue Card brings a streamlined path (no labour-market test) and longer initial validity (up to 4 years). Fee €80; decision up to 3 months.
What about my spouse and kids?
They can use family reunification (two steps: pre-entry authorisation; then, after arrival, arrival declaration, medical check, residence permit). Requirements include proof of family ties, resources, housing, and insurance.
SEO cheat-sheet (keywords you’ll naturally hit while reading)
- Primary: Luxembourg work visa for Indians, Luxembourg Type D visa India, Luxembourg work permit, Luxembourg employment visa
- Secondary: temporary authorisation to stay Luxembourg, ADEM certificate, EU Blue Card Luxembourg salary threshold, Luxembourg residence permit fee, VFS Luxembourg India visa fee, Luxembourg minimum wage 2025
Wrap-up
If you remember one thing, make it this: Luxembourg is procedural but friendly. Get the ADEM step right with your employer, send a complete authorisation file, follow the D-visa instructions posted by VFS India, and knock out your arrival duties within the deadlines. Do that, and you’ll be working—and paid at Luxembourg levels—before you know it.
Credible sources (last checked today)
- Official process, salaried worker: Guichet.lu — Conditions of residence for third-country salaried workers in Luxembourg (steps before/after entry, 90-day authorisation, €80 card fee, first-year restrictions).
- Medical check: Guichet.lu — Medical check-up for third-country nationals (doctor + TB; certificate sent to Immigration).
- ADEM certificate & timelines: ADEM — Hiring of a third-country national (shortage list 5 days; standard market check timings; 3-month validity).
- Type D visa (India) fees & notes: VFS Global — Apply for Visa to Luxembourg in India (long-term fee INR 4,800, service charges, processing guidance).
- Type D visa (general indicators): Embassy of Luxembourg in Moscow — Application for a long-stay visa (D) (fee €50, 10 working days, D-visa validity 90 days–1 year).
- EU Blue Card specifics: European Commission — EU Blue Card in Luxembourg (threshold €58,968, no labour-market test, decision up to 3 months, fees €80).
- Minimum wage 2025: IGSS — Paramètres sociaux valables au 1er mai 2025 (unskilled €2,703.74, qualified €3,244.48).
- Cost of living context: Expatica — Cost of living in Luxembourg in 2025; Housing observatory/Ministry of Housing updates on rents. (Use for budgeting guidance only.)