In 2021, Luxembourg received 25 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 19% more than in 2020. This figure comprises 67.3% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 8.8% labour migrants, 20% family members (including accompanying family) and 3.6% humanitarian migrants. Around 400 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 500 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 44 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2021, a ‑8% decrease compared to 2020. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Portugal, France and Italy were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2021. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Portugal registered the strongest increase (+600) in flows to Luxembourg compared to the previous year.
In 2022, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 75%, to reach around 2 400. The majority of applicants came from Syria (1 000), Eritrea (400) and Afghanistan (200). The largest increase since 2021 concerned nationals of Syria (+600) and the largest decrease nationals of Iraq (‑35). Of the 1 310 decisions taken in 2022, 79% were positive.
Emigration of Luxembourg citizens to OECD countries were stable in 2021, at 4 600. Approximately 44% of this group migrated to Germany, 27% to France and 9% to Belgium.
Amendments to the Immigration Law were introduced in 2021 which reduced the administrative burden for third-country nationals and amend certain provisions relating to intra-corporate transferees, trainees and family reunification. It introduced a minimum of three months of prior employment for an intra-company transferee. The norms regarding the stay of trainees and their hosts were simplified: trainees have to present a higher education diploma obtained within the two years preceding the application date or show that they followed studies leading to a higher education diploma.
At the end of 2022, temporary protection status holders from Ukraine who obtained an employment and have appropriate housing, are entitled to change their status to a salaried worker residence permit.
A new bill introduced in the case of a relationship between partners, an authorisation of stay if neither partner is in a marriage or registered partnership with another person. A residence permit for private reasons for exceptional circumstances has been introduced to illegally staying third-country nationals who have such ties with the country that removal from the territory would be disproportionately harmful to their personal and family situation.
The National Institute of Languages Luxembourg (INLL) was created in May 2022, available in three sites across the country: Mersch, Luxembourg and Belval. The aim is to regionalise the range of courses on offer to make it easier for people to take part. INLL aims to promote the Luxembourgish language and multilingualism, facilitate integration and social cohesion, encourage intercultural exchanges, and contribute to the employability of people.
On 20 June 2022, a bill was introduced in parliament, which purpose is to introduce into the Penal Code an aggravating circumstance for a crime or misdemeanour committed for a motive based on discrimination by reason of one of the characteristics referred to in Article 454 of the Penal Code.
To cope with the large influx of Ukrainians, the beneficiaries of temporary protection obtained directly health coverage through an amendment to the social security code and Luxembourg allowed the Ukrainian children to attend the international public schools, created a Ukrainian school and recruited additional teachers.
An amendment to the electoral law abolished the five‑year residency requirement for foreign nationals wishing to register on the electoral rolls for communal elections, allowing them to strengthen their participation in the political life of the country. Furthermore, the deadline for registration in the electoral roll and allow the participation (both actively and passively) of EU citizens as well as of third-country nationals has been extended.
For further information: www.guichet.public.lu | www.ona.gouvernement.lu | www.integratioun.lu
