Can I keep my nationality when becoming Luxembourgish?
Yes — since 2009 Luxembourg has accepted dual nationality, and becoming Luxembourgish does not force you to give up your original passport. Nationality is now governed by the law of 8 March 2017, which kept multiple nationality open, as introduced by the 2008 law. Three routes exist: by operation of law (birth, descent), by option, and by naturalisation. The latter requires being an adult, lawfully resident for at least 5 years (the last year uninterrupted), passing the spoken Luxembourgish language test (the "Sproochentest") and attending the "Living together in the Grand Duchy" course. The decision rests with the Minister of Justice. The myth: "you must give up your nationality and have seven years' residence" — false: dual nationality is allowed, and the period was cut from 7 to 5 years; what remains is to check that your home country, for its part, tolerates dual nationality.
📋 The rules
- Dual nationality allowed: since 2009, becoming Luxembourgish does not require giving up your original nationality.
- Law of 8 March 2017: it governs nationality and recognises three routes: by operation of law, by option, by naturalisation.
- Five years' residence: naturalisation requires 5 years of lawful stay, the last year uninterrupted — no longer 7 years.
- Language and course: you must pass the spoken Luxembourgish test (Sproochentest) and attend the "Living together in the Grand Duchy" course.
- Minister's decision: naturalisation is granted by the Minister of Justice, in principle within around 8 months.
🔓 Exceptions
- Home country: Luxembourg tolerates dual nationality, but your other country may strip its nationality on foreign naturalisation: check first.
- Nationality by option: a spouse of a Luxembourger, or someone born or raised in the country, may acquire it by option, on lighter conditions.
- Recovery: a person who has lost Luxembourg nationality, or descends from a Luxembourg ancestor, may recover it under conditions.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The main risk is not a fine but a refusal or the loss of a nationality. A naturalisation file is rejected if the residence, language or integration conditions are not met, and a decision obtained by false statements or fraud can be withdrawn afterwards. Above all, Luxembourg may allow dual nationality, but your home country may not: some States automatically strip their nationality from anyone who acquires another, or require a prior declaration — checking with the embassy avoids becoming, unintentionally, stateless or losing rights. The language test and the "Living together" course are a real investment of time, and a failure pushes the application back. Finally, dual nationality brings cumulative obligations (service, taxation, filings) in both countries, which must be anticipated.
📎 Official sources
- Ministry of Justice · Luxembourg nationality →
- Guichet.lu · acquiring nationality by naturalisation (State portal) →
- Legilux · law of 8 March 2017 on Luxembourg nationality →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to give up my nationality to become Luxembourgish?
No, Luxembourg has allowed dual, indeed multiple, nationality since 2009, and the law of 8 March 2017 kept it. On the Luxembourg side you therefore do not have to give up your original passport, but you must check that your other country, for its part, tolerates the situation.
How many years of residence are needed for naturalisation?
You must have lawfully resided in Luxembourg for at least five years, with the last year uninterrupted just before the application. This threshold was cut from seven to five years, so many older sources still quote an out-of-date period.
Do you need to speak Luxembourgish to be naturalised?
Yes, naturalisation requires passing the spoken Luxembourgish language assessment, the well-known Sproochentest. You must also attend the "Living together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg" course or pass the matching exam on the country's institutions and history.
Can my home country strip its nationality?
It is possible: Luxembourg tolerates dual nationality, but each State applies its own rules. Some countries automatically strip their nationality from anyone who acquires another, so it is essential to check with your consulate before applying for naturalisation.
Is a child born in Luxembourg automatically Luxembourgish?
Not in every case: nationality is acquired by operation of law through descent, and under conditions for children born in the country to foreign parents. Depending on the situation, the child may also reach nationality by option, a route on lighter conditions provided by the 2017 law.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “dual nationality luxembourg”
- “naturalisation luxembourg 5 years”
- “becoming luxembourgish conditions”
- “sproochentest naturalisation luxembourg”
- “keep home nationality luxembourg”
- “luxembourg nationality law 2017”