Important Updates
Important Updates
October 2, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?
October 3, 2025 | KazakhstanKazakhstan: New Work Permit Process Rules, Including Labor Market Test and New Online Portal
October 3, 2025 | United StatesThe American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible
October 2, 2025 | Japan, United States 2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
October 2, 2025 | United StatesComputer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent
October 2, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?
October 3, 2025 | KazakhstanKazakhstan: New Work Permit Process Rules, Including Labor Market Test and New Online Portal
October 3, 2025 | United StatesThe American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible
October 2, 2025 | Japan, United States 2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
October 2, 2025 | United StatesComputer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent
October 2, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Luxembourg: New EU Blue Card Rules In Effect

July 2, 2024

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • LuxembourgLuxembourg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

Effective July 1, 2024, Luxembourg has introduced more relaxed EU Blue Card rules. Key changes include, among others:

  • relaxed professional experience eligibility pathways;
  • new change-of-employer and change-of-sector rules;
  • reduced mandatory employment contract durations and minimum salary levels; and
  • new short-term and long-term mobility rights.

These reforms are part of Luxembourg adhering to the requirements of the 2021 EU Blue Card Directive.

The situation

Effective July 1, 2024, Luxembourg has introduced more relaxed EU Blue Card rules.

A closer look

CHANGE IMPACT

New professional experience pathway for information technology specialists or managers. In addition to the previous eligibility pathways, applicants are now eligible for an EU Blue Card if they have at least three years of experience (in the last seven years) in either managerial or specialist roles in information and communication technology, even if they lack any academic qualifications. 

Applicants with adequate academic qualifications, or five years of professional experience in a relevant field, remain eligible. 

Employers can now hire highly skilled talent from a wider pool of applicants, especially in the information and communication technology sector. This is particularly pertinent given current labor shortages in Luxembourg.

Relaxed short-term mobility pathways. Holders of an EU Blue Card from another EU Member State can now work in Luxembourg for up to 90 days (in any rolling 180-day period) without requiring any additional work or residence permit. This right extends to former EU Blue Card holders who hold a long-term residence permit. Previously, no such right existed. 

This change increases the ability of employers to flexibly move talent to Luxembourg for short-term work purposes. 

Relaxed long-term mobility pathways. EU Blue Card holders who have resided for at least 12 months in another EU Member State can now enter and work in Luxembourg. Within one month of arriving in Luxembourg, the foreign national must apply for a Luxembourgish EU Blue Card work permit.

Previously, to work, affected individuals needed at least 18 months residence in the other EU Member State as well as a Luxembourg residence permit.

EU Blue Card holders can now move to Luxembourg from another EU Member State more easily, providing employers more flexibility to move talent to Luxembourg, including on a long-term basis.

Relaxed change-of-employer, role and sector rules. Provided they notify authorities, EU Blue Card holders can now change employers, roles and sectors 12 months after receiving their Blue Card (down from the previous 24 months). Additionally, after 12 months, such individuals now have unlimited access to Luxembourg’s highly skilled labor market. 

The relaxed restrictions on changing employers, sectors and roles provide more flexibility for EU Blue Card holders seeking to remain in Luxembourg and may result in increased retention of foreign talent in the country.

Lower minimum salary level. The minimum salary for an EU Blue Card has been lowered to the average gross annual salary which is EUR 58,968, down from EUR 88,452. Further, there is no longer a distinction between minimum salary levels for shortage occupations or roles that were not in a shortage occupation. Previously, the minimum salary level was either 1.2 times (if the role was a shortage occupation) or 1.5 times the average gross annual salary.

This makes it easier for foreign nationals to access a Luxembourg EU Blue Card, and for employers to afford highly skilled foreign talent under the EU Blue Card pathways, effectively increasing their pool of available employees.  

Other changes include the following:

  • Ancillary work. EU Blue Card holders may now perform work outside the scope of their work permit (provided that they continue to meet their Blue Card conditions). Previously, a separate work permit was required to conduct ancillary work. Some activities may still require a business license.
  • Contract duration. Employment contracts now only need to be six months in duration (down from the previous 12-month minimum).
  • Family reunification. Foreign nationals who hold an EU Blue Card from another EU Member State are now eligible for expedited family reunification processing times of up to 30 days (depending on the circumstances) provided that their partner (the principal applicant) is a Luxembourg EU Blue Card holder. Previous processing times were around nine months, with no expedited processing pathway.
  • Renewal. EU Blue Card holders may now continue living and working in Luxembourg while their card is in the process of being renewed, even if it expires during the renewal period. 
  • Unemployment. In the event of unemployment, EU Blue Card holders may now retain their EU Blue Card for three months (if they have held their card for less than two years) or six months (if they have held their card for more than two years). The previous grace period was stricter. 

Background

In 2021, the European Union issued a directive seeking to update the existing EU Blue Card scheme (which dated back to 2009). The EU Blue Card scheme has sought to establish an attractive EU-wide immigration option for highly skilled professionals. However, the 2009 iteration has suffered from fragmented and inconsistent transposition at the national levels, with many EU Member States offering more attractive skilled-labor immigration pathways under their own national, non-EU Blue Card systems.

Looking ahead

The deadline for national transposition of the revised EU Blue Card Directive was November 18, 2023, with many EU Member States domestically implementing the Directive after this deadline. Additionally, several EU Member States have not yet domestically implemented the Directive. It is expected that further instances of domestic implementation will occur across 2024. We will report on related developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • LuxembourgLuxembourg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Businesses Need to Be Ready for Government Crackdown on Sponsor Licences

Partner Louise Senior highlights the impact of record-breaking UK sponsor licence revocations and the steps hospitality businesses can take to manage compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

Folha de São Paulo: Taxa de US$ 100 mil para visto dos EUA muda planosde brasileiros; veja opções

Partner Bo Cooper explores the impact of H-1B visa changes on companies and their talent strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Lawyers Try to Make Sense of Trump’s Confusing H-1B Fee Hike

Partner Bo Cooper explains that while new H-1B fees affect future petitions, US opportunities for international talent remain highly valued.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Businesses Need to Be Ready for Government Crackdown on Sponsor Licences

Partner Louise Senior highlights the impact of record-breaking UK sponsor licence revocations and the steps hospitality businesses can take to manage compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

Folha de São Paulo: Taxa de US$ 100 mil para visto dos EUA muda planosde brasileiros; veja opções

Partner Bo Cooper explores the impact of H-1B visa changes on companies and their talent strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Lawyers Try to Make Sense of Trump’s Confusing H-1B Fee Hike

Partner Bo Cooper explains that while new H-1B fees affect future petitions, US opportunities for international talent remain highly valued.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.