Getting Luxembourg citizenship by marriage can be a great way to gain EU citizenship and the benefits that come with it. Luxembourg has relatively easy requirements compared to some other EU countries. Here’s what you need to know about getting Luxembourg citizenship through marriage.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Luxembourg citizenship through marriage, you must meet a few basic requirements:
- Be married to a Luxembourg citizen. Your spouse must already be a citizen of Luxembourg, not just a resident.
- Have been married for at least 3 years. The marriage must have lasted a continuous period of 3 years minimum prior to applying.
- Live together in Luxembourg. You and your spouse must have your official and shared residence in Luxembourg.
- Pass language and culture tests. You’ll need to demonstrate basic proficiency in Luxembourgish as well as knowledge of the country’s history and society.
- Have a clean criminal record. You cannot have any serious criminal convictions on your record.
- Renounce other citizenships. Luxembourg requires you to give up any other existing citizenships when you naturalize as dual citizenship is not permitted.
As long as you meet these eligibility criteria, you can proceed with the application process.
Gather Required Documents
There is paperwork required to apply for citizenship in Luxembourg. Make sure you gather all of these documents before submitting your application:
- Completed application form
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Passport photos
- Passports
- Proof of address in Luxembourg
- Language certificate
- Proof of financial means
- Criminal record extract
Having all your documents organized ahead of time will make the application process faster and smoother. The government provides detailed checklists of the required paperwork.
Submit Your Citizenship Application
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and gathered the needed documents, you can submit your Luxembourg citizenship application. Here are the steps:
- Get an application form from the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice or download it online.
- Complete the form in full and sign it. Make sure all details are accurate.
- Attach all required documents from the checklist to support your application.
- Pay the application fee, which is currently 50 EUR.
- Submit your application at the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice office by booking an appointment.
You can also mail the application, but submitting it in person speeds up the process. After submitting the application, you’ll receive a receipt that confirms it’s been logged into the system.
Pass Exams and Interview
After submitting your citizenship application, you’ll need to demonstrate language proficiency and social/cultural knowledge by passing exams:
Language Exam
- Test your speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities in Luxembourgish.
- The current level required is A2 CEFR (basic working proficiency).
- Oral and written sections take around 3 hours in total.
Culture Exam
- Covers the history, politics, culture and society of Luxembourg.
- 24 multiple choice questions testing basic knowledge, takes 30 minutes.
- The study guide is provided to prepare for this test.
Interview
- Discuss your reasons for applying and preparedness for citizenship.
- Conversation in Luxembourgish to confirm language abilities.
- Lasts around 15-20 minutes.
These steps verify you are prepared to integrate into life in Luxembourg as a citizen.
Receive Decision on Your Application
It can take around 12-18 months to get a decision on your citizenship application after submitting it. Once the Ministry of Justice has processed your application, verified all documents and records, and you’ve passed the exams, they will decide:
- Approval – Congratulations! After approval, you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 5 years to obtain your naturalization certificate.
- Request for additional documents – The ministry may request you submit additional documentation before making a final decision.
- Rejection – If your application is rejected, you will receive a letter stating the reasons. You can reapply after 1 year.
Gaining Luxembourg citizenship opens up opportunities to live and work freely across the EU. While the application process takes some time and effort, doing it through marriage is one of the simplest ways for Americans and other nationalities to obtain this valuable benefit.
Read more: https://luxtoday.lu/en/knowledge/how-to-obtain-citizenship-in-luxembourg