Luxembourgish Citizenship Through Ancestry
With a population of just over 600,000, Luxembourg is one of Europe’s smallest nations, but also one of its most interesting. With medieval castles perched on dramatic cliffs, a capital city literally layered with history, and a culture shaped by both French and German influence, it’s no wonder Luxembourg has become a popular destination for both heritage and opportunity. Despite its size, it remains the second-richest country in the EU.
If your parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was a Luxembourgish citizen, you may be eligible to reclaim that citizenship and open up new opportunities for the future.
Eligible Generations
Great-grandparents or more
Travel Required?
Sometimes
Ways to Apply
3 ways
Language requirement?
No
A small country. A powerful passport.
For descendants of Luxembourgish citizens, citizenship is a gateway to reclaiming your family’s heritage and enjoying full EU rights, from free movement, to education, healthcare, and investment access.
Why Does Luxembourg Offer Citizenship by Descent?
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of Luxembourgers emigrated to escape poverty, political unrest, or limited opportunity in one of Europe’s smallest nations. As they settled in countries like the United States, Brazil, and France, many lost or gave up their citizenship, often unintentionally.
Today, Luxembourg recognizes that these departures were shaped by necessity, not by choice. Through citizenship by descent, Luxembourg offers its descendants a way to legally reconnect with their family’s heritage and reclaim a status that history once made difficult to keep.
Live, work, and study in any of the 27 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.
Who Can Apply?
You might qualify for Luxembourg citizenship if you can answer yes to one of these questions:
- Do you have a male ancestor (like a father, grandfather, or great-grandfather) who was born in Luxembourg?
- Is or was one of your parents or adoptive parents a Luxembourg citizen?
- Did you pre-qualify and begin a citizenship application before December 31, 2018?
We’ve helped over 2,200 people reclaim Luxembourgish citizenship. To see if you qualify, take the assessment now.
Want to find if you are eligible for Luxembourgish Citizenship?
Simple 3-step process to discover your eligibility
1. Tell us (or your genealogist) about your family
Share your family details. Enter them yourself or connect with a genealogist for help.
2. We analyze with AI + experts
AI processes fast. Experts ensure your case is as accurate as possible.
3. Receive your report
Get your eligibility analysis. Follow the steps. Start your path to citizenship.
What You'll Receive
A comprehensive eligibility report tailored to your family history
Your Eligibility Report Includes:
- Assessment of all EU countries based on your lineage
- Clear eligibility decision for each country
- Detailed reasoning and relevant laws explained
- Specific next steps and requirements
Eligible for dual citizenship? We can help you achieve it
If you find out you are eligible for dual citizenship with our report, we offer additional services to assist with document collection and application processing
Your guide to Luxembourgish Citizenship
We cover essential information regarding applying for and achieving EU nationality through ancestry. This blog also explores relocation resources, citizenship programs outside of the EU, and more.
"The idea of applying for Hungarian citizenship always felt overwhelming—until I found Citizenship.EU. They helped me figure out if I could qualify through my great-grandfather and put me in touch with professionals who handled everything".
James Nagy
Chicago, USA
"My grandfather was born in Sicily, and I always dreamed of reclaiming that part of my identity. I had no idea where to start or whether I even qualified. Citizenship.EU made the process so much less intimidating".
Elena G
New York, USA
“I knew my grandmother was born in County Mayo, but I wasn’t sure if I could actually get Irish citizenship. Citizenship.EU walked me through the whole eligibility check. I received my Irish citizenship certificate last month and my passport is on the way”!
Maeve O’Sullivan
New Hampshire, USA
Get the Luxembourgish citizenship guide
Unlock detailed information on timelines, required documents, and legal pathways all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
How to get citizenship in Luxembourg by descent?
To get Luxembourgish citizenship by descent, you must prove direct lineage to an ancestor who was a Luxembourgish citizen. This usually means a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who held citizenship and whose citizenship can be documented. You must collect birth, marriage, and citizenship records to establish the generational link. Once verified, you submit your application to Luxembourg’s Ministry of Justice or through a Luxembourgish consulate. Citizenship.EU helps you determine whether you’re eligible and connects you with professionals who can support you in preparing a complete and accurate application.
Can a foreigner get citizenship in Luxembourg?
Yes, foreigners can acquire Luxembourgish citizenship, either through naturalization, option (marriage or long-term residency), or descent. Naturalization typically requires a minimum period of legal residency, language proficiency in Luxembourgish, and knowledge of the country’s civics. However, if you’re applying through descent, you do not need to live in Luxembourg or speak the language. Citizenship.EU helps you assess if descent is the right path for you and connects you with legal professionals if another route is more suitable.
What are the benefits of Luxembourgish citizenship?
Luxembourgish citizenship grants full EU citizenship rights, including the ability to live and work anywhere in the European Union, visa-free travel to over 190 countries, access to Luxembourg’s high-quality healthcare and education systems, and the right to vote in national and EU elections. It also offers strong passport privileges and economic security. Citizenship.EU can guide you in understanding these benefits as you evaluate whether applying is right for you or your family.
How can Citizenship.EU help me to get my Luxembourg citizenship?
Citizenship.EU helps you begin your journey by confirming if you’re eligible for Luxembourgish citizenship through ancestry. While we don’t offer legal services, we assess your lineage and refer you to trusted professionals who can help collect documents, translate records, and file your application with the proper authorities. We simplify the front-end of the process so you don’t waste time or effort on a claim that doesn’t qualify.
How many generations back can you claim Luxembourgish citizenship?
Luxembourg does not impose a strict generational limit for citizenship by descent, which means you may be eligible even through a great-grandparent or earlier ancestor. The key requirement is that the ancestor held Luxembourgish citizenship and that you can prove a direct and unbroken line of descent through official records. Citizenship.EU can help determine whether your lineage qualifies under this rule and what documentation you’ll need to support your claim.
Do I need to live in Luxembourg to apply for citizenship by descent?
No, you do not need to reside in Luxembourg to apply for citizenship by descent. The application process can be handled entirely from abroad through a Luxembourgish embassy or consulate. This makes the process accessible to members of the diaspora worldwide. Citizenship.EU will help you navigate the remote application route and connect you with professionals who understand consular processing.
Is there a language test for Luxembourgish citizenship by descent?
No, there is no language requirement for applicants claiming citizenship through descent. Language proficiency in Luxembourgish is only required for naturalization, not for those proving ancestral rights. Citizenship.EU confirms your exemption from this requirement based on your descent status and helps you focus on compiling your documentation correctly.
How long does it take to get Luxembourgish citizenship by descent?
The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the availability of documentation. On average, it may take between six months to one year. If documents need to be retrieved from archives or translated, the process may take longer. Citizenship.EU helps set expectations based on your case and introduces you to professionals who can accelerate and support the process.
Start with your past.
Start building your future.
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Still have questions? Let’s talk
Have a specific question about your case, documents, or eligibility? We’d love to hear it and it might even help us shape new resources.
