A citizen of an EU Member State, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, who plans to study in Luxembourg for more than three months generally must obtain a temporary authorization to stay before traveling and a residence permit after arriving. A Type D entry visa is required only if the student’s nationality is subject to a visa requirement.
This procedure applies to students whose main activity will be a complete, full-time course of study at a recognized higher education institution in Luxembourg leading to an academic degree or diploma. Researchers enrolled in doctoral programs are also considered students. Different procedures or exemptions may apply to family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens and to students who already hold certain residence permits from another EU Member State.
Steps on Applying for a Luxembourg Student Visa
Here is a breakdown of the steps generally required to obtain authorization to study and reside in Luxembourg.
Step 1. Apply for a Temporary Authorization of Stay
Before entering Luxembourg, you must compile the documentary requirements listed later in this article and apply for a temporary authorization to stay. The application must be submitted and approved while you are outside Luxembourg. Applications submitted from within Luxembourg are generally inadmissible.
Apply well in advance because the Ministry of Home Affairs normally responds within 60 days. If information or supporting documents are missing, the 60-day period is suspended while the authorities wait for the additional material.
Step 2. Wait for Your Temporary Authorization to Stay
If the application is approved, the temporary authorization to stay is sent to the applicant by post. It is valid for 90 days. During that period, visa-required students must apply for a Type D entry visa, while visa-exempt students may enter Luxembourg with the authorization and a valid passport.
Step 3. Apply for a Schengen Entry Visa (Type D Visa)
If your nationality is subject to a visa requirement, apply for the Type D visa after receiving your temporary authorization to stay and before traveling. Because the authorization is valid for only 90 days, begin the visa process promptly and follow the appointment and processing instructions of the responsible diplomatic mission.
The exact checklist may vary by diplomatic mission, but applicants are generally asked to provide the following:
- A completed and signed long-stay Type D visa application form
- A valid passport
- Two recent passport-sized photographs that comply with ICAO standards
- The original temporary authorization to stay
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
- Any additional documents required by the responsible Luxembourg or Belgian diplomatic mission
Many of the supporting documents will already have been provided with the temporary authorization application. However, the diplomatic mission may request additional or updated documents.
Depending on your country of residence, a long-stay visa application will be handled by a Luxembourg or Belgian diplomatic or consular post.
In some countries, an authorized external service provider collects visa applications and schedules appointments. Follow the instructions published by the responsible diplomatic mission, and be aware that a separate service fee may apply.
A Type D visa is required only for students whose nationality is subject to a visa requirement. You can consult the official list of countries whose citizens require a visa. Visa-exempt third-country students still need the temporary authorization to stay and must complete the residence procedure after entering Luxembourg.
The Type D visa is valid for a maximum of three months.
Step 4. Enter Luxembourg and Declare Your Arrival
After entering Luxembourg, the student must make a declaration of arrival at the administrative office of the commune where they will live. This must be completed within three days of arrival.
The documents required for this declaration are:
- A valid travel document, including the passport and, where applicable, a visa or residence document issued by another EU Member State
- The original temporary authorization to stay
- Valid proof of address, such as a rental agreement or electricity bill, where applicable
The commune will provide the student with a copy of the declaration of arrival as a receipt.
Step 5. Undergo a Medical Exam
As soon as possible after arrival, the student must undergo a medical examination with an authorized doctor in Luxembourg and complete the required tuberculosis screening.
People aged two years or older complete the tuberculosis screening at a medical analysis laboratory with a doctor’s prescription or at the Health and Social Welfare League. Different testing arrangements apply to children between two months and two years old.
After receiving the examination results, the Health Inspection of the Health Directorate issues the official medical certificate and sends it directly to the General Department of Immigration. The residence permit application cannot be fully processed until this certificate has been received.
Step 6. Apply for a Residence Permit
The student must apply for a residence permit through the General Department of Immigration within three months of arriving in Luxembourg. Applications may be submitted online through MyGuichet.lu or by post.
The following documents must be submitted:
- A copy of the valid passport in its entirety
- Proof of final enrollment in a higher education institution
- A copy of the declaration of arrival issued by the commune
- Proof of payment of the EUR 80 residence permit fee
If the application is approved, the student will receive a letter inviting them to make an appointment with the General Department of Immigration. The student’s photograph and fingerprints will be collected for the biometric residence permit.
A few days after the biometric data is collected, the student may pick up the chip-based residence permit in person by appointment.
A student residence permit is generally valid for at least one year. If the study cycle lasts less than one year, the permit may be valid only for the duration of that study cycle.
The permit is renewable as long as the student continues to meet the applicable conditions. The renewal application must be submitted within the two months before the permit expires.
Documents Needed for Luxembourg Student Visa Applications
The first step for a covered third-country student is to apply for a temporary authorization to stay. This authorization is required whether or not the student’s nationality is subject to a Type D visa requirement. Exceptions and separate procedures may apply, including for certain family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens and students participating in EU mobility arrangements.
The application must be submitted and approved before the student enters Luxembourg. Applications submitted from Luxembourg are generally inadmissible. Supporting documents must be originals or certified true copies, except that a plain copy of the passport is accepted. Documents that are not in English, French, or German must be accompanied by an official translation from a sworn translator.
Valid Passport
The temporary authorization application must include a copy of the applicant’s valid passport in its entirety. Visa applicants should also ensure that the passport was issued within the previous 10 years, has at least two blank pages, and remains valid for at least three months after the requested visa expires. The responsible diplomatic mission may impose additional passport-validity requirements.
Accomplished Application Form for Temporary Authorization of Stay
The application for temporary authorization to stay must be prepared on plain paper and include the applicant’s surname, first name, and address. Applicants may also use the official model application available through the Luxembourg government’s student residence page.
Proof of Enrollment
The applicant must provide proof of enrollment in a recognized higher education institution in Luxembourg. Where applicable, the student should also submit proof that they are participating in one of the following:
- An EU program or multilateral program that includes mobility measures
- An agreement between two or more higher education institutions
Criminal Records
The applicant must provide an extract from their criminal record or an affidavit or sworn declaration established in their country of residence.
Proof of Financial Capacity
The student must demonstrate sufficient resources to cover living expenses and return-travel costs. Acceptable proof may include an original scholarship or student-loan certificate stating its amount and duration or an original bank certificate accompanied by bank statements covering the previous six months.
If the student’s parents will provide financial support, the bank documentation must show that the parents have sufficient resources and are financially able to cover the student’s living, medical, and study expenses for at least 12 months, as well as return-travel costs.
A formal financial statement of support may also be provided by a sponsor who is a Luxembourg citizen or is legally residing in Luxembourg. It must cover the student’s living, medical, and study expenses for at least one academic year, as well as return-travel costs.
The applicant’s monthly resources must equal at least 80% of the current social inclusion income, or REVIS. Based on the indexed one-adult REVIS amount in force from June 1, 2026, this is approximately EUR 1,555.52 per month, or EUR 18,666.24 for 12 months. Because Luxembourg’s social amounts are periodically indexed, applicants should verify the current figure on the official National Solidarity Fund page before applying.
Material benefits, such as free accommodation, and eligible income from a student employment contract may also be considered. Students relying on a scholarship or student loan should submit an official certificate stating the amount and duration.
Health Insurance
The applicant must provide a health insurance certificate covering illness in Luxembourg, such as appropriate travel insurance. The responsible diplomatic mission should be consulted for any additional insurance-duration or coverage requirements.
Copy of Residence Permit
This requirement applies where the third-country student already resides in the Schengen area and holds a residence permit issued by another EU Member State. Students completing only part of their studies in Luxembourg under an EU mobility arrangement may be subject to a separate procedure.
Parental Authorization
Parental authorization is required if the student is under 18 years old.
We hope that this article on obtaining authorization to study and reside in Luxembourg was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
