Luxembourg: The domicile of choice for financial services - Alfi

Immigration
The new immigration law that came into
force in 2008 significantly simplified procedures
with regard to entry, residence and
working requirements for non-nationals in
Luxembourg.
Entry and residence requirements for citizens
of the European Union (EU), the European
Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland (1)
differ from those for citizens of other countries
(2).
1. Entry and residence requirements for
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their
family members
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are allowed to
enter and stay in Luxembourg for a period
of up to three months on simple presentation
of a national identity card or valid passport.
Any of their family members who are not EU
nationals have the right to enter and stay for
a period of up to three months on presentation
of a valid passport and visa where required.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can stay for
more than three months if they can show that
they are self-employed or employed, students,
or provide evidence of sufficient resources for
themselves and their family members as well
as of adequate health insurance. They must
register at the local town hall within three
months of their arrival in Luxembourg and are
immediately issued with a document confirming
registration.
Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
who are not EU nationals must apply for a
residence card at the local town hall. The card
is issued by the Immigration Directorate of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals as well as any of
their family members who are non-EU nationals
have free access to the labour market.
However, the restrictions provided for in the
Accession Treaty mean that nationals of
Bulgaria and Romania, as well as any family
members who are third-country nationals, still
need to obtain a work permit during the first
year after accessing labour market.
2. Entry and residence requirements for
non-European nationals
2.1. Entry
Non-EU nationals entering Luxembourg
must meet the conditions defined in the rules
governing the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Area comprises 25 EU Member
States, 1 Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. Ireland
and the United Kingdom are currently the only
EU Member States to have negotiated an opt-out.
The Schengen Area operates very much like a
single country for international travel purposes,
with border controls for people coming
in and out, but no internal border controls.
Non-EU nationals must have a valid passport
and, in some cases, a visa. A complete list of
the countries whose citizens need a visa may
be found on the website of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (www.mae.lu), together with
information about required documents.
Non-EU nationals may be refused entry on the
grounds of records in the Schengen Information
System (SIS), if they have previously been
refused entry or if they are a threat to public
security or health. They must show the reasons
for their visit and evidence of sufficient
resources for their stay and return, as well as
of adequate health insurance.
These conditions apply regardless of the length
of their stay.
1
Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania have not yet implemented the Schengen Agreement into national law, but are required
to do so.
15