UK nationals and Brexit

Move to Luxembourg from the UK after Brexit

Since free movement ended, to move to Luxembourg from the UK you need a residence permit, just like any other non-EU citizen. UK nationals are now third-country nationals. Here are the practical routes and how we coordinate them.

EU Blue Card   Work permit   Investor visa   Naturalisation

What Brexit changed for UK nationals

Brexit ended free movement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. In plain terms, a British citizen can no longer settle or work in Luxembourg on a passport alone. To move to Luxembourg from the UK, you now need a legal basis to reside: a permit tied to a job, an economic activity or a family link. It is the same framework that applies to nationals of other third countries.

One case stands apart. UK nationals who were already legally resident in Luxembourg before the end of the transition period fall under the Withdrawal Agreement. They kept specific residence rights, provided they completed the required steps. If that is your situation, flag it early: your file does not follow the same logic as a first-time move.

The main routes for UK nationals

For UK nationals who want to move to Luxembourg from the UK today, several routes run in parallel. The right one depends on salary, qualifications, the professional plan and family circumstances.

• EU Blue Card: built for skilled profiles in finance, tech and higher-earning roles. The 2026 salary threshold is 65,652 EUR per year, reduced to 47,174 EUR for shortage occupations. More on the EU Blue Card.
• Salaried work permit: for a role with a Luxembourg employer that does not meet the Blue Card criteria. See the work permit.
• Investor route: for those bringing significant capital into the Luxembourg economy. See the investor visa.
• Company formation: for a British entrepreneur setting up a business in the Grand Duchy. See company formation.
• Family reunification: to bring a spouse and children once your residence is established. See family reunification.

The Blue Card, a natural route for many UK nationals

Many British applicants arrive through the EU Blue Card, because the typical profile of someone relocating from London or Edinburgh (a finance executive, an engineer, a data specialist) often fits the criteria. You need a firm contract or offer, a higher-education degree or recognised equivalent professional experience, and a salary that meets the applicable threshold. The Blue Card also offers useful mobility within the Union and a shorter path toward long-term residence.

Toward permanent residence and citizenship

Over years of lawful residence, a UK national can aim for long-term resident status and then naturalisation. Long-term resident status stabilises your position after several years in the country. Later, Luxembourg naturalisation becomes possible depending on residence and language conditions. A key point for UK nationals: Luxembourg allows dual nationality. So you can, in principle, become Luxembourgish without giving up your British citizenship. Every profile is assessed individually, with no guarantee of outcome or timeline.

How we work

immigrate.lu coordinates your move: choosing the route, preparing the documents, setting the timeline and following up with the authorities. Reserved legal acts are handled by our partner lawyer. We are an advisory house, not a law firm, and we do not give legal advice in place of the lawyer.

immigrate.lu is an immigration advisory house published by Financial Services Luxembourg SARL-S. Reserved legal acts are handled by Maître Cora Maglo, avocate à la Cour (CERNO Law Firm), Luxembourg Bar.