Descent / option (Art. 89 recovery closed) · decided by Ministry of Justice
Luxembourgish citizenship by descent
Luxembourg passes nationality by descent through an all-male lineage to a Luxembourg-born ancestor (Article 7) — or through a maternal link if you were born after 1 January 1969. Cases that don't transmit automatically can still acquire it by option through a parent or grandparent (Article 23, in person). The Article 89 1900-ancestor recovery route is now permanently closed. Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Grandparent or great-grandparent claim? Complex chain? Skip the research — talk to a Luxembourg citizenship specialist in 30 minutes.
🇱🇺 Down the line
Luxembourg passes nationality by descent, with an option route where the chain didn't transmit — free and fast.
Eligibility
Who may qualify
Article 7 (descent): an all-male lineage from you back to a Luxembourg-born male ancestor.
Article 7 (maternal): a maternal link is accepted if you were born after 1 January 1969; pre-1969 maternal gaps don't transmit.
Article 23 (option): a parent or grandparent who is/was a Luxembourg citizen, where the Art. 7 chain didn't transmit. Requires an in-person trip to Luxembourg.
Article 89 recovery via a 1900 ancestor is permanently closed (the 2018 application cut-off and the 2025 completion deadline have both lapsed).
No residence or language requirement for the Art. 7 / Art. 23 routes; dual citizenship allowed.
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer. EasyPassport is not affiliated with Ministry of Justice. We help you organize and verify your documents. You submit your application to Ministry of Justice directly — we do not file, submit, or act on your behalf with any government authority.
Why Luxembourg
What makes Luxembourg different
Free and relatively fast
The Art. 7 and Art. 23 routes carry no government fee and often resolve in around four months.
Lineage rules turn on 1 Jan 1969
Art. 7 descent runs through an all-male line to a Luxembourg-born ancestor; a maternal link counts only if you were born after 1 Jan 1969.
The option route needs a trip
Where the Art. 7 chain didn't transmit, Art. 23 option via a parent or grandparent citizen requires an in-person visit to Luxembourg.
The 1900-ancestor route is closed
Art. 89 recovery via an ancestor Luxembourgish on 1 Jan 1900 has permanently lapsed — both the 2018 and 2025 deadlines passed.
Dual citizenship, no language test
Neither route imposes a residence or language requirement.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the Luxembourgish ancestor determines which rules apply
Through your parent
A Luxembourgish parent makes you Luxembourgish at birth (Art. 7); you apply by post.
See requirements 02OPTIONBy option (parent/grandparent)
If the Art. 7 chain didn't transmit, you may acquire by option under Art. 23 via a parent or grandparent who is/was a citizen. Requires an in-person trip.
See requirements 03RECOVERY1900-ancestor recovery (closed)
Art. 89 recovery via an ancestor Luxembourgish on 1 Jan 1900 is permanently closed — both the 2018 and 2025 deadlines have lapsed.
See requirementsProcess
How to apply
- 1
Identify your article
Determine whether you transmit by descent (Art. 7) or must acquire by option (Art. 23).
- 2
Trace the lineage
For Art. 7, document the line — all-male to a Luxembourg-born ancestor, or a post-1969 maternal link — with full vital records.
- 3
Gather and translate records
Collect long-form birth and marriage certificates and provide translations/legalizations as directed.
- 4
File the right way
Submit Art. 7 by post to the Ministry of Justice's Service de la nationalité; for Art. 23, plan the required in-person appointment in Luxembourg.
- 5
Allow about four months
Processing is typically quick once the file is complete.
- 6
Collect confirmation
Once recognized you can apply for a Luxembourg passport and ID.
Choose your path
Do it yourself, or talk to a specialist?
Do it yourself
Free tool- Parent or grandparent claim with clear documentation
- You know your ancestor held Luxembourg citizenship
- Records are legible and translated where needed
- No broken-chain events (renunciation, timing gaps)
Talk to a specialist
- Great-grandparent or further-back claim
- Unsure whether a naturalization broke the chain
- Mixed ancestry — multiple possible pathways
- Want a professional to verify before gathering 10+ documents
At a glance
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Free
- Typical timeline
- ~4 months
- How you file
- Art. 7 by post; Art. 23 in person in Luxembourg
- Where
- Ministry of Justice — Service de la nationalité
Key dates & laws
The rules that decide your case
1 Jan 1969
Cut-off after which a maternal-line link transmits Luxembourg nationality under Article 7.
31 Dec 2018
Step-one certificate cut-off for the Article 89 1900-ancestor recovery route — no new applications accepted since.
31 Dec 2025
Final completion deadline for pre-2018 Article 89 filers — the recovery route is now fully closed.
Where it's processed
A single national authority
🇱🇺 Ministry of Justice — Service de la nationalité
Ministry of Justice — Service de la nationalité
Luxembourg processes descent applications centrally through one national authority, rather than routing them through consulates.
See mailing instructionsTools & guides
Plan your application
Luxembourg articles
Latest from our editors
2025-12-31
Luxembourg's December 31, 2025 Citizenship Deadline: What Actually Ends
Headlines warn that Luxembourg dual citizenship is ending in 2025, but only one narrow pathway closes. Several permanent descent routes remain wide open.
Read the article2025-07-01
Surge in Americans Becoming Luxembourg Dual Citizens
New government data shows the number of Luxembourgers living in the US jumping sharply in 2025, driven almost entirely by citizenship by descent.
Read the articleFAQ
Frequently asked questions
🇱🇺 Not sure where to start?
See if you qualify in about two minutes.
A personalized answer based on your specific line of descent. No passport or ID uploads — ever.