On Wednesday 23 September 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Home Affairs announced changes to immigration procedures for third-country nationals, set to take effect on Thursday 1 October 2026.
Under the new procedure, third-country nationals applying to settle in Luxembourg for more than 90 days will no longer first apply for a temporary authorisation to stay (autorisation de séjour temporaire - AST) from the General Directorate of Immigration (DGIM). Instead, they will apply for a long-stay visa (visa D) through a Luxembourg diplomatic mission abroad or, where Luxembourg is not represented, through the competent Belgian embassy.
The reform was approved by the Council of Government in July 2025 and aims to align Luxembourg's system with European practices. According to the ministries, Luxembourg was the last European Union (EU) Member State to retain a separate national procedure involving a temporary authorisation to stay.
The ministries added that the visa D better meets security requirements linked to European smart border systems. As it is recognised across the EU, the visa will also allow holders to travel within the Schengen Area upon arrival without having to wait for their Luxembourg residence permit.
The changes will apply to third-country nationals from outside the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who plan to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days, including for work, studies or family reunification.
The new procedure will not apply to EU citizens and their family members or nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. British nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement and applicants for international protection are also excluded. Applications to renew or replace a residence permit, change its category or apply for a residence permit from within Luxembourg will remain outside the new procedure.
After arriving in Luxembourg, applicants will have three days to make a declaration of arrival at their municipality of residence. They must then apply for their residence permit through the General Directorate of Immigration.
Further information will be available from Thursday 1 October 2026 via the https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/immigration.html.
