Moving tips
Moving to Luxembourg Paperwork: The Formalities to Know Before You Go
Settling in Luxembourg involves a series of mandatory steps, and your moving to Luxembourg paperwork begins with registering your arrival at the commune (déclaration d'arrivée), to be done within 8 days of moving in for European Union nationals. Add to this affiliation to the National Health Fund (Caisse nationale de santé), opening a bank account and, for non-EU nationals, obtaining a residence permit before settling in. This guide details each step in chronological order, to avoid needless back-and-forth between government offices.
Before you leave: what to prepare
Some formalities need to be prepared in advance, particularly for nationals of countries outside the European Union, who must obtain an authorisation to stay via their employer or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before settling permanently. For EU citizens, a valid identity card or passport is enough to enter and settle, with no formalities required before arrival.
- Valid identity card or passport
- Lease or notarial deed for the new home
- Family record book (livret de famille) for children registered in the same household
- Proof of private third-party liability insurance
- Up-to-date veterinary certificate if you have a pet
Step 1: registering your arrival at the commune
Anyone establishing their usual residence in a Luxembourg commune must declare their presence at the population office (bureau de la population) within 8 days of occupying the new home. This declaration is made in person or, for some communes, online via MyGuichet.lu. It results in a certificate of residence, an essential document for most of the subsequent formalities: opening a bank account, enrolling children at school, or requesting special leave for moving house from your employer.
The procedures vary slightly from one commune to another, in line with the principle of municipal autonomy, so it is worth checking exactly which documents are required before you go.
Step 2: the residence permit for non-EU nationals
If you are arriving from a country outside the European Union, your declaration of arrival together with your authorisation to stay serves as both a work and residence authorisation, pending the issue of your definitive residence permit (titre de séjour). This process is generally prepared before departure, with the support of your employer if your move is linked to an employment contract.
Step 3: affiliation to the National Health Fund (CNS)
Anyone living and working in Luxembourg must be covered by health insurance. Once you are affiliated to the CNS, every medical bill paid directly to the practitioner can be sent for reimbursement to the Caisse nationale de santé, together with your bank details (RIB) with your first claim. Reimbursement generally takes 1 to 3 months.
Step 4: opening a bank account and the LuxTrust token
A Luxembourg bank account makes all local formalities easier: salary payments, direct debits for energy or telecoms contracts, and CNS reimbursements. Opening the account also lets you obtain a free LuxTrust token, the digital identity used to sign your administrative procedures online, particularly on MyGuichet.lu and for your tax return.
Step 5: the essential contracts to take out
Several contracts need to be set up quickly after you move in:
- Home insurance, compulsory for all tenants and owners.
- Private third-party liability insurance, required by many communes as soon as you register your arrival.
- Energy and telecoms contracts, worth comparing between providers, as price differences can be significant.
- Vehicle registration, if you keep a car registered abroad beyond the permitted period.
Step 6: your tax return and tax residence status
Luxembourg applies local taxation that varies according to the commune of residence. Income tax returns are filed using form 100, online or by post, depending on your residency status. Finding out about this status early avoids unpleasant surprises, particularly for people who keep property in their home country.
Preparing to settle in Luxembourg?
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Request your free quoteKey takeaways
- Registering your arrival at the commune, within 8 days, is the first mandatory step for every new resident.
- Non-EU nationals must obtain a residence permit, often before settling permanently.
- CNS affiliation, opening a bank account and the LuxTrust token are prerequisites for most of the following formalities.
- Home insurance, energy contracts and vehicle registration complete your move in the first few weeks.
