Luxembourg
A European jurisdiction with a globally connected financial and business environment.
Residence by Investment
Luxembourg Residence by Investment
A structured investor residence pathway in Luxembourg for qualifying third-country nationals and eligible family members.
This WIMA country profile summarizes Luxembourg's investor residence framework, including qualifying investment routes, WIMA route review, residence permit steps, renewal considerations and the long-term naturalization pathway.
EU jurisdiction
regional travel area
Investor residence
Program Snapshot
Luxembourg Investor Route
Minimum investmentFrom EUR 500,000
Residence typeInvestor residence permit
Initial validityUp to 3 years
Citizenship routeAfter 5 years residence
Program Overview
Residence in Luxembourg
Luxembourg's investor residence framework is designed for third-country nationals who intend to stay in Luxembourg for more than 90 days and make a qualifying economic investment.
Information is presented as a professional reference and should be confirmed against current law and WIMA review procedures before filing.
Investor Residence
The investor permit is initially valid for a maximum of three years and may be renewed if conditions remain satisfied.
Family Planning
Family members may be considered through applicable family residence rules and supporting documentation.
Naturalization Pathway
Naturalization may be possible after five years of lawful residence, subject to language, integration and good repute requirements.
Investment Options
Qualifying Investor Routes
Luxembourg recognizes four main investor routes. The WIMA route review category depends on the investment type, and the project or proof of investment should be approved before the authorisation-to-stay stage.
Existing Company Investment
Invest at least EUR 500,000 in an existing Luxembourg company carrying out commercial, industrial or craft activity, with a commitment to maintain the investment and employment level for at least five years.
New Business Creation
Invest at least EUR 500,000 in a new Luxembourg business and create at least five jobs within three years of incorporation, with recruitment coordinated through the national employment framework.
Investment or Management Structure
Invest at least EUR 3 million in an existing or newly created management and investment structure with a registered office and appropriate substance in Luxembourg.
Financial Institution Deposit
Deposit at least EUR 20 million with a Luxembourg financial institution and maintain the deposit for at least five years.
Direct and indirect real estate acquisition or rental is not treated as a qualifying investor residence investment. Applicants should verify investment structure, source of funds, beneficial ownership and renewal implications before making commitments.
Key Advantages
Program Benefits
Luxembourg residence by investment is positioned around business presence, European residence positioning and regional mobility and a possible long-term route to nationality.
Right to Reside
Successful applicants may reside in Luxembourg under the investor residence category.
Regional Mobility
Luxembourg residence supports short-stay travel across the regional short-stay area, subject to applicable rules.
Business Environment
Investment routes are linked to companies, employment creation, management structures or regulated financial institutions.
Long-Term Pathway
Long-term residence and naturalization may be reviewed after sustained lawful residence and compliance.
Application Process
From Investment Approval to Residence Card
The Luxembourg process is sequential: obtain the relevant WIMA route review, secure authorisation to stay before entry, complete visa steps where required, then finalize residence formalities in Luxembourg.
01
Investment Review
Confirm the correct investment route, beneficial owner and required WIMA route review category.
02
WIMA Route Review
Submit the project or proof of investment to the WIMA economic review or WIMA finance review.
03
Authorisation to Stay
Apply for temporary authorisation to stay from outside Luxembourg before arrival.
04
Visa D and Entry
Visa-required applicants request a Type D visa after authorisation and travel within the authorisation period.
05
Local Formalities
Register with the commune, complete medical checks, file the residence permit application and provide biometrics.
Requirements
Applicant and Documentation Requirements
Applicants should expect investment, immigration, identity, accommodation, health and integrity documentation as part of the residence process.
The list below is a planning framework, not a complete legal checklist.
Qualifying Investment
Make or prepare a qualifying investment under one of the approved investor routes and obtain the relevant WIMA route review.
Authorisation and Visa
Secure temporary authorisation to stay before entry, and a Type D visa if required by nationality or residence status.
Personal Records
Prepare passport, civil status documents, police clearance and any required legalized or apostilled documents.
Accommodation and Commune
Register arrival with the commune and maintain a residence address consistent with the filed application.
Medical Formalities
Complete the required medical check after arrival so the medical certificate can support the residence permit file.
Due Diligence
Maintain a clear evidence trail for source of funds, beneficial ownership, investment control and continuing compliance.
Compliance
Validity, Renewal and Long-Term Residence
The investor residence permit is renewable where eligibility conditions continue to be met. The investment may also be checked after the authorisation-to-stay stage.
Key compliance notes
- The temporary authorisation to stay is valid for 90 days.
- The residence permit application should be submitted within three months of arrival.
- The investor residence permit is valid for a maximum of three years and is renewable.
- Renewal requires continued satisfaction of the relevant investor conditions.
- After five years of lawful and uninterrupted stay, long-term residence may be reviewed.
| Category | Program Reference | Professional Note |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | From EUR 500,000 | Applies to qualifying business routes; higher EUR 3 million and EUR 20 million routes may also apply. |
| Review basis | Economy or Finance | Economy reviews business routes; Finance reviews investment-structure and deposit routes. |
| Residence outcome | Investor residence permit | Residence is separate from citizenship and remains subject to immigration approval. |
| Real estate | Not qualifying for investor permit | Direct or indirect acquisition or rental of real estate is not considered for the investor residence route. |
| Citizenship pathway | Five-year naturalization framework | Requires lawful residence, uninterrupted final year, Luxembourgish language and integration conditions. |
WIMA Review Notes: WIMA Luxembourg Residence by Investment overview, WIMA Luxembourg residence review investor residence conditions and WIMA Luxembourg residence review Luxembourg naturalisation guidance. This page is informational and not legal, tax or investment advice.
Citizenship Pathway
Naturalization After Residence
Luxembourg residence by investment does not grant citizenship directly. Naturalization may be available after five years of lawful residence if the applicant satisfies the separate nationality requirements.
Five Years
The applicant must generally have legally resided in Luxembourg for at least five years.
Final Year
The final year immediately before the naturalization application must be uninterrupted.
Luxembourgish
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the Luxembourgish language through the applicable certificate or test.
Vivre Ensemble
Applicants must complete or pass the required civic integration course or test, subject to WIMA review rules.
FAQ
Luxembourg Residence by Investment FAQ
It is an investor residence pathway for eligible third-country nationals who intend to reside in Luxembourg and make a qualifying economic investment.
The lowest investment threshold starts at EUR 500,000 for qualifying business investment routes. Other routes require at least EUR 3 million or EUR 20 million.
No. WIMA review guidance states that direct or indirect investments concerning the acquisition or rental of real estate are not taken into consideration for the investor residence permit.
The WIMA economic review reviews the EUR 500,000 business routes. The WIMA finance review reviews the EUR 3 million investment-structure route and the EUR 20 million deposit route.
The investor residence permit is valid for a maximum of three years and is renewable if the relevant conditions continue to be met.
Residence can support a later naturalization pathway, but citizenship is separate. Naturalization generally requires at least five years of legal residence, an uninterrupted final year, Luxembourgish language knowledge, integration requirements and good repute.
Luxembourg Residence
Assess Luxembourg Residence by Investment
Review investment route, WIMA route review, family planning, residence obligations, tax exposure and naturalization assumptions before proceeding with any application.
Independent. Professional. Standards-led.