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Add as a preferred source on GoogleHire non-EU talent in Luxembourg: the employer's guide
To hire a non-EU national, an employer established in Luxembourg first declares the vacancy to the ADEM; with no priority candidate within 3 weeks (5 business days for the 20 severe shortage occupations), it obtains the certificate allowing the hire, then applies for the residence permit at the Immigration Directorate General, which decides within a legal maximum of 3 months. Since 1 October 2026 the candidate first requests a type D visa abroad.
For employers · HR · Mobility managers
Hiring a non-EU national in Luxembourg involves several authorities and a sequence that depends on the route. This guide explains the routes, what the employer does, what changes for shortage occupations and who does what. immigrate.lu coordinates the full chain for employers, in interface with the ADEM, the DGIM and, where an entry visa is needed, the consular missions.
Find your route in 2 questions Check a salary against the Blue Card threshold
Quick answer
To hire a non-EU national in Luxembourg, the employer chooses the route (single permit, EU Blue Card or ICT permit), declares the vacancy to the ADEM where the route requires it, and supports the candidate's applications. Since 1 October 2026 the candidate first requests a type D long-stay visa from abroad. The Immigration Directorate General (DGIM) decides; immigrate.lu coordinates the file.
Which route should we use for our hire?
| Route | Typical profile | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Single permit | Standard salaried roles | Vacancy declared to the ADEM, then the certificate |
| EU Blue Card | Higher-education qualification, job offer of at least six months | Gross salary of at least 65 652 € per year (single threshold since 3 March 2026) |
| ICT permit | Manager, specialist or trainee of a group entity outside the EU | Transfer to a Luxembourg entity of the same group |
If the salary reaches the Blue Card threshold and the qualification fits, the Blue Card is usually the stronger choice for the employee. Below the threshold, the single permit is the route.
What does the employer do, step by step?
- Choose the route. Role, qualification and salary decide between single permit, Blue Card and ICT permit.
- Declare the vacancy to the ADEM where the route requires it. Under the standard route there is a waiting period before the employer can request the certificate if the ADEM proposes no suitable candidate: currently three weeks.
- Prepare the file with the candidate. Contract, diploma with apostille and certified translation, criminal-record extract and identity documents.
- Visa and residence permit. Since 1 October 2026 the first step is the type D long-stay visa requested abroad (valid six months), followed by the arrival declaration at the commune and the residence permit.
- Onboarding. Arrival, health-insurance registration and, if needed, family reunification and relocation support.
Shortage occupations: what really changes?
The ADEM published a 2026 list of 20 "very high shortage" occupations, including nursing and several IT and finance roles. For these occupations, employers benefit from an accelerated procedure: the foreign-labour certificate is delivered within five business days. The list does not lower the EU Blue Card salary threshold, which stays at 65 652 € for every occupation.
For specific professions, see our guides for IT developers and doctors and nurses.
Who does what?
- Your HR team provides the offer or contract, transmits the candidate's documents and validates the information in the file.
- immigrate.lu frames the route, prepares the file and the document list, and follows the file until the decision.
- The authorities and the lawyer: the Immigration Directorate decides, the ADEM acts depending on the route, and reserved legal acts are handled by our partner lawyer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Believing that a shortage occupation lowers the Blue Card salary threshold.
- Starting the candidate's visa application before the route is confirmed.
- Late apostille or translation of the diploma, the usual source of delay.
- Quoting a start date to the candidate before the visa and permit are granted.
Sources: Guichet.lu · ADEM · Directive (EU) 2021/1883.
Compliance first
Each file is built to meet labour-law and immigration requirements. immigrate.lu coordinates the procedure; reserved legal acts are handled by the partner law firm. We do not guarantee outcomes or timelines; we structure compliant, well-documented files.
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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.
FAQ
How do I hire a non-EU national in Luxembourg?+
The employer chooses the route (single permit, EU Blue Card or ICT permit), declares the vacancy to the ADEM where the route requires it and supports the candidate's applications. Since 1 October 2026 the candidate first requests a type D long-stay visa from abroad. The Immigration Directorate General (DGIM) decides.
Single permit or EU Blue Card for our hire?+
The EU Blue Card fits highly qualified profiles with a gross salary of at least 65 652 € per year (single threshold since 3 March 2026). The single permit fits standard salaried roles below that threshold. The ICT permit is for intra-group transfers.
Does a shortage occupation lower the EU Blue Card salary threshold?+
No. The ADEM 2026 list of 20 shortage occupations gives employers an accelerated foreign-labour certificate, delivered within five business days, but the EU Blue Card salary threshold stays at 65 652 € for every occupation.
What is the first step for a non-EU candidate since 1 October 2026?+
The first step is a long-stay visa (type D) requested from abroad at the Luxembourg embassy or consulate. The visa is valid six months and is followed by the arrival declaration at the commune and the residence permit.
How long does it take to hire a non-EU worker?+
The duration depends on the route, the vacancy declaration where required, the completeness of the file and the authorities' workload. Under the standard route there is a waiting period of currently three weeks after the vacancy declaration. No timeline or outcome is guaranteed.
What documents does the candidate need to provide?+
In general: passport, signed contract, diploma with apostille and certified translation, criminal-record extract and identity photographs. The exact list depends on the route and is drawn up when the file starts.
Can you handle several hires at once?+
Yes. We coordinate several hires with a consolidated schedule so that HR and mobility teams know where each file stands.
Is immigrate.lu a law firm?+
No. immigrate.lu is an immigration advisory house that coordinates the procedure. Reserved legal acts are handled by a partner lawyer of the Luxembourg Bar (CERNO Law Firm).