The Luxembourg Residence by Investment Program

Luxembourg is one of the most attractive business destinations worldwide. For those who wish to reside in this EU nation with a flourishing economy, the Luxembourg Residence by Investment Program is the most efficient way to acquire such status. Under this program, wealthy individuals can make a significant contribution to the country and become Luxembourgish residents within approximately six months, with the possibility to acquire citizenship after five years.

Benefits of Luxembourgish residence by investment

• Visa-free access to the EU and Europe’s Schengen Area
• High quality of life, stable political environment, and investor-friendly legislation
• Low investment threshold, with no obligation to purchase real estate
• Flexible and practical corporate law for rapid company formation
• No wealth tax and favorable inheritance and capital gains taxation regime

Requirements of the Luxembourg Residence by Investment Program

To qualify for residence, applicants can choose between the below two options:

1. Residence by investment

Investors from non-EU countries can choose one of the following four investment options:

• A minimum of EUR 500,000 into an existing Luxembourg company (with commercial, industrial, or craft activities) and commit to maintain the existing employment for five years
• A minimum of EUR 500,000 into a new Luxembourg company (with commercial, industrial, or craft activities) and commit to create at least five employments in the following three years
• A minimum of EUR 3 million into an existing or new investment or management structure, with a registered office in Luxembourg, which must have appropriate substance
• A minimum of EUR 20 million by deposit into a financial institution established in Luxembourg, which must be maintained for at least five years

2. Residence by private reasons (where the successful applicant cannot be employed in the country)

Individuals from developing nations can apply for residence by private reasons by fulfilling the following requirements:

• Prove that they can live off their own financial resources (proof of a regular flow of income of at least EUR 27,000 per year is required; bank savings alone might not be considered sufficient
• Have permanent accommodation in Luxembourg, which includes third-party liability insurance and property insurance for rented or purchased property

Procedures and time frame of Luxembourgish residence by investment

Applications to the program must be made through the prescribed forms and must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents. To obtain the residence permit, an applicant must demonstrate the intention to reside permanently in Luxembourg.

Once the initial due diligence checks have been completed, then the applications can be submitted.

Under the residence by investment option, an investment application is submitted to the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Economy. If approved, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs analyzes the application for final approval. Thereafter, a visa category D is requested from the applicant's current country of residence, following approval.

Under the residence by private reasons option, an application is submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If approved, a visa category D is requested from the applicant's current country of residence and collected at the local consulate or embassy.

Under both options, the client:

• Travels to Luxembourg (within 90 days of receiving authorization)
• Undergoes a medical check
• Submits their application for the residence permit
• Registers with their commune of residence within three days of their arrival

The processing time for the residence application is approximately six months from the submission of the application to its approval.

The residence permits are valid for an initial period of three years under residence by investment, or one year under residence by private reasons, subject to renewal. To renew their residence permit, investors must demonstrate having spent a significant length of time in the country (at least six months).

Luxembourgish citizenship following residence by investment

Successful clients can apply for Luxembourgish citizenship after five years of continuous residence, gaining a passport to this EU nation. The final year of residence immediately preceding the citizenship application must have been uninterrupted. To receive citizenship, investors need to prove knowledge of the Luxembourgish language through an oral test and take an integration course.