Luxembourg citizenship by descent
Luxembourg passes nationality to children of Luxembourgers (jus sanguinis) and via option — but the recovery route through a 1900 ancestor closed to new applicants at the end of 2018. Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Who may qualify
- A Luxembourgish parent → nationality by descent (Art. 1).
- Acquisition by option via a parent or grandparent who couldn't transmit at birth.
- Recovery via a 1900 ancestor is closed (step-one deadline was 31 Dec 2018).
- No residence or language requirement for descent/recovery; dual citizenship allowed.
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer.
Not sure where to start?
The free eligibility check takes about two minutes.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the Luxembourg ancestor determines which rules apply.
A Luxembourgish parent makes you Luxembourgish at birth (Art. 1).
If a parent or grandparent couldn't transmit at birth, you may acquire by option.
Recovery via an ancestor Luxembourgish on 1 Jan 1900 closed to new filers on 31 Dec 2018.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Free
- Typical timeline
- ~4 months
- Where
- Ministry of Justice — Service de la nationalité
Key dates & laws
31 Dec 2018
Step-one certificate deadline for the 1900-ancestor recovery route — permanently closed.
31 Dec 2025
Final deadline for pre-2018 filers to complete the recovery declaration.
Where it's processed
Ministry of Justice — Service de la nationalité
Tools
Guides
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for Luxembourg citizenship by descent?
- Eligibility runs through the Descent (recovery deadline noted) pathway and depends on your specific line of descent — which ancestor was a citizen, when, and whether the chain was ever broken by naturalization or other events. Run the free eligibility check for a personalized answer.
- Which authority decides Luxembourg citizenship cases?
- Ministry of Justice. EasyPassport is not affiliated with them; we help you organize and verify, and you submit to the authority directly.
- How long does it take?
- Timelines vary widely by route and backlog and are outside any service's control. Treat published averages as estimates and confirm current waits with the authority.
- Do I need to upload my passport or ID?
- No. EasyPassport never stores passports or government IDs — it's a checklist and organization tool, not a document vault.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. We use “may qualify” language because the authority makes the final determination. For an individualized opinion, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Other countries we support
EasyPassport is not affiliated with Ministry of Justice, any government, or any consulate. This is a document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.