News · Luxembourg
From 1 October Luxembourg starts first residence applications with a D visa
On 23 September 2026 the Luxembourg government announced that from 1 October a first residence permit will require a long-stay (D) visa applied for at a diplomatic mission, replacing the former national temporary stay authorisation. According to the government, Luxembourg was the last EU member state to keep a separate national procedure.
Summary
In brief
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The new procedure applies from 1 October 2026 to third-country nationals who wish to settle in Luxembourg for more than 90 days.
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Applications are lodged in person at a Luxembourg embassy or, where Luxembourg is not represented, at the competent Belgian embassy.
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The D visa is valid for 6 months; it allows entry and, from arrival, free travel within the Schengen area before the residence permit is issued.
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Within 3 days of arrival, the applicant declares their arrival to the municipality of residence and then applies for the residence permit at the Directorate General for Immigration (DGIM).
Background
What happened
According to a joint press release of Luxembourg's foreign affairs and home affairs ministries on 23 September 2026, from 1 October the first residence permit procedure will be aligned with European practice. The reform, approved by the Government Council in July 2025, ends the prior application for a temporary stay authorisation at the Directorate General for Immigration (DGIM); it is replaced by a long-stay (D) visa application at Luxembourg or Belgian diplomatic missions.
The D visa allows the applicant to enter Luxembourg. According to the press release, the D visa, recognised throughout the EU, allows free travel within the Schengen area from arrival, without waiting for the residence permit to be issued. After arrival, the applicant declares their arrival to the municipality of residence within 3 days and applies for the residence permit at the DGIM.
The new procedure does not apply to EU citizens and their family members, to nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, to British nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, or to applicants for international protection.
For you
What it means for you
- The procedure starts at the mission: if you plan to move to Luxembourg, you lodge the application in person at the Luxembourg or competent Belgian embassy.
- Travel after the visa: with the D visa you can travel within the Schengen area from arrival, before the residence permit is issued.
- Comparison: when you request a quote, we compare with you where and how the application starts in the programmes we offer.