Shortage occupations in Luxembourg in 2026: the ADEM list and what it changes

Labour market · Hiring outside the EU · ADEM list 2026

In 2026, the ADEM lists 20 "severe shortage occupations" in Luxembourg. They are concentrated in banking and finance, IT, industry and construction, health and social work, and legal services. For an employer hiring a non-EU national in one of these occupations, the ADEM certificate is issued faster. However, the list does not waive the residence conditions: the residence permit remains subject to its own procedure.

Work permit   Hiring outside the EU   EU Blue Card

The 2026 list of severe shortage occupations

The ADEM press release of 27 March 2026 does not reproduce the 20 titles: the list above reproduces the one published by the press. The official reference is that of the Journal officiel and the ADEM website; check it before building a file.

Official source : ADEM press release of 27 March 2026.

What changed compared with 2025

• 3 additions: roofing installation and restoration, industrial quality management and engineering, installation and maintenance of industrial and operating equipment.
• 5 removals: aircraft mechanics, rail network traffic agents, accountants, management controllers, business organisation and management consulting.

The occupations removed from the list remain in demand, but the gap between candidates and positions in 2025 no longer meets the "severe shortage" criterion. Articles that still put accountants at the top therefore rely on an earlier list; however, accounting and financial audit and control still appear on it.

What the list changes when hiring a non-EU national

• The employer declares the vacancy to the ADEM. For an occupation on the list, the procedure is simplified and accelerated.
• The "foreign workforce" certificate can be requested at the time of the declaration, or later while the offer is valid. For an occupation on the list, it is issued within five working days of the acknowledgement of receipt (exact deadline in the "Official reference points" box below).
• This acceleration concerns the ADEM certificate, not the residence permit: the employee must still meet the conditions of their residence authorisation, with the type D visa as the first step since 1 October 2026.

Employee or employer: what should you do?

Non-EU employee: first check that your occupation is on the list, then the residence route that applies to you; if you are highly qualified, the EU Blue Card has its own pay conditions. Employer: declare all your vacancies to the ADEM, because the list depends on it, and prepare the candidate's file in parallel. See the international recruitment guide.

A position outside the list follows the standard procedure, with a waiting period for the offer at the ADEM detailed in the box below.

How immigrate.lu coordinates the process

immigrate.lu is an immigration advisory house. We check whether the position falls under the list, prepare the vacancy declaration and the candidate's file, and follow the steps. We decide neither on the certificate nor on the residence permit: they are the responsibility of the ADEM and the immigration administration.

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.