Foreign-born population – 2024 | 51.3% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
0.3 million, 49% women | Evolution since 2014: +45% | Portugal (21%), France (13%), Belgium (6%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Luxembourg received 26 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), ‑4% compared to 2023. This figure comprises 61% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 12% labour migrants, 22% family members (including accompanying family) and 4% humanitarian migrants. Around 500 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 600 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 52 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2023, a 9% increase compared to 2022. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Portugal, France and Italy were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, China registered the strongest increase (80) and Ukraine the largest decrease (‑3 500) in flows to Luxembourg compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑19%, to reach around 2 100. The majority of applicants came from Eritrea (400), Syria (400) and Algeria (100). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Algeria (65) and the largest decrease nationals of Syria (‑400). Of the 1 520 decisions taken in 2024, 64% were positive.
Emigration of Luxembourg citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑18% in 2023, to 4 100. Approximately 47% of this group migrated to Germany, 17% to France and 10% to Belgium.
Throughout 2024, several legal and policy developments in the field of immigration took place in Luxembourg.
On 1 July 2024, Luxembourg amended its Immigration Law to transpose the EU Blue Card Directive 2021/1883. The reform simplified entry procedures by reducing the required contract duration to six months and introduced a single salary threshold, currently set at EUR 58 968, with a view to enhancing talent attraction. Other main changes included: authorising a stay to highly qualified workers for a period up to 90 days if travelling on business; granting access to employment in high-skilled occupations after 12 months (down from 24 months); allowing travel to another Member state after 12 months of legal stay; authorising stay while renewal is in progress; simplifying and accelerating procedure for family reunification; allowing for a possibility to apply for an EU Blue Card for beneficiaries of temporary protection; simplifying access to the labour market.
On 4 April 2024, the list of shortage occupations was published. This list comprised a reduced number of occupations compared to the previous list (published in September 2023), which was the first of its kind in Luxembourg.
Regarding international protection, the new Constitution recognised the right of asylum. Furthermore, on 7 August 2023, the labour market test requirement for applicants for international protection was abolished.
In matters of temporary protection granted to Ukrainian nationals fleeing Russia’s full-scale aggression in March 2024, temporary protection was extended until March 2025. In December 2024, it was further extended until 4 March 2026. Protection holders are now issued with a biometric card. As of 5 December 2024, individuals granted temporary protection status in Luxembourg are required to initiate the process of obtaining a biometric residence card immediately upon arrival. For those renewing their existing cards, government authorities provide advance notification regarding the steps required to obtain a biometric card.
In matters of integration, the new Law on Living Together entered into force on 1 January 2024. It replaced the concept of integration with that of living together. The Citizen Pact (Biergerpakt) replaced Welcome and Integration Contract. Unlike the Contract, the Citizen Pact is open to any person living or working in Luxembourg.
On 21 April 2023, amendments were introduced to the Immigration Law to structure returns measures and entry bans. On 7 August 2023, major amendments to the Labour Code were adopted to combat illegal employment. These included closing loopholes concerning regularly residing third-country nationals without work authorisation, increasing fines and imprisonment penalties, and clarifying aggravating circumstances, particularly those related to human trafficking. Throughout 2024, Luxembourg continued to face challenges related to irregular migration.
Overall, the year 2024 was considered a transition year for the new government. In November 2023, the Directorate of Immigration came under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The government has also remained in a state of anticipation until the adoption of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum by the Council and the European Parliament on 11 June 2024, and implementation is scheduled for 2026.
For further information: www.guichet.public.lu | www.ona.gouvernement.lu | www.integratioun.lu.
