Luxembourg: Foreign National Family Members to Have Easier Access to Work Rights

Update September 4, 2023: This law went into effect on September 1, 2023.

Parliament has passed a bill that will make it easier for the family members of foreign national residents (such as spouses and registered partners) to commence work. Existing holders of family member status will be allowed to work (subject to age requirements) without acquiring their own work permit; while family members moving to Luxembourg will be allowed to work once they receive official confirmation of their status and have declared their arrival at a town hall. This right to work will remain valid so long as the individual retains their family member status. Family members of foreign national residents will still be able to apply for their own work permit (subject to minimum salary thresholds); while individuals who currently have their own work permit will be unaffected by these changes. Currently, in order to work, the family members of foreign national residents must obtain their own separate work permit (a process which can take months). These changes – which are expected to come into force in late August or early September – are part of broader efforts to facilitate labor market growth (including attracting foreign talent through easing family member relocation challenges) and to align Luxembourg policy with both the EU Blue Card and EU Intracompany Transferee Directives as well as the broader EU trend of allowing family members to work automatically under the main applicant’s status.