Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Diekirch

About Golden Visa Law in Diekirch, Luxembourg

Luxembourg does not market a program under the name Golden Visa. Instead, the country offers a residence permit for investors under national immigration law. This permit is available throughout Luxembourg, including the canton and city of Diekirch. The framework allows non-EU or non-EEA nationals to obtain a residence permit by making a qualifying investment in Luxembourg and meeting standard immigration conditions such as good conduct, health insurance, and accommodation.

Qualifying investment routes generally include investing in an existing Luxembourg company, creating a new company in Luxembourg with job creation, investing in a Luxembourg investment structure, or making a significant deposit with a financial institution established in Luxembourg. Minimum thresholds are high and the investment must be maintained for a multi-year period. Unlike some countries, purchasing residential real estate does not qualify for the investor residence permit in Luxembourg.

The process is national in scope. Pre-approval of the investment is assessed by the competent ministry, and immigration formalities are processed by the Immigration Directorate in Luxembourg City. Local steps in Diekirch mainly involve arrival registration with the commune and settling practical matters such as housing and schooling.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Choosing the correct investment route requires careful legal and regulatory analysis. A lawyer can help assess whether your proposed investment meets the statutory thresholds and compliance requirements, and whether any sectoral licenses or establishment permits are needed. For new or existing companies, counsel coordinates company formation, corporate governance, shareholder arrangements, and required filings.

Banking and source-of-funds checks are stringent. Legal guidance helps prepare documentation for anti-money laundering reviews, structure the investment, and liaise with banks and investment firms. If you pursue an investment structure, regulatory classification and oversight questions may arise that benefit from specialized advice.

Immigration filings must be accurate and complete. A lawyer manages the request for prior authorization to stay, long-stay visa where required, registration steps in Diekirch, medical examination scheduling, residence permit application, renewals, and family reunification applications. If an application is refused or additional information is requested, counsel can handle responses and appeals within the legal deadlines.

Tax and estate planning are integral. Coordinated advice helps avoid unintended tax residency, double taxation, or adverse outcomes when moving assets, creating a business, or receiving distributions. A local lawyer can also address leasing or property purchase issues in Diekirch, employment contracts if you will work, and compliance with ongoing residence obligations.

Local Laws Overview

Legal basis. The investor residence permit is provided by Luxembourg immigration law that applies nationwide. The program offers several categories, each with specific conditions, documentation, and competent ministries for pre-approval. The Immigration Directorate issues authorizations and residence permits after investment approval and standard admissibility checks.

Qualifying investments. Common categories are investment in an existing Luxembourg company with a minimum capital contribution held for a multi-year period, creation of a new company in Luxembourg with a minimum capital contribution and job creation targets, investment in a Luxembourg investment fund or investment structure, or a substantial cash deposit with a Luxembourg financial institution kept for a set period. Real estate purchases do not qualify as an investment route.

Pre-approval. Before applying for a residence permit, the investor seeks pre-approval of the chosen investment route from the competent authority. Business-related routes are assessed by the economic authorities based on a business plan, job creation, and economic interest. Bank deposit and investment structure routes are assessed with input from the financial authorities and, where relevant, sectoral regulators. Proof of lawful origin of funds is required in all cases.

Entry and first steps. Non-EU nationals generally need a prior authorization to stay before entering Luxembourg for residence purposes. Nationals requiring a visa obtain a type D long-stay visa. After arrival, you must declare your arrival at the Diekirch commune within a short deadline, undergo a medical examination, and lodge the residence permit application within three months.

Residence conditions. You must maintain the qualifying investment for the required period, hold valid health insurance, have suitable accommodation, and be of good conduct. The residence card is biometric and must be renewed before expiry. Prolonged absences or failure to maintain the investment can jeopardize renewal.

Work and business. Depending on the route, you may engage in managing your investment and work for your own company. Certain commercial activities require an establishment permit issued by the economic authorities and compliance with professional qualification rules. Company formation and registration must be completed with the Luxembourg business register and, when applicable, overseen by notaries and regulated service providers.

Family members. Spouses or registered partners and minor children may join under family reunification rules, subject to accommodation, resources, and integration conditions. Family members receive dependent residence permits and may have access to the labor market according to their status.

Taxes. Luxembourg has a sophisticated corporate and personal tax framework. Tax residency, permanent establishment, withholding, and social security must be assessed. Investors should obtain tax advice in both Luxembourg and their home country to coordinate treaty benefits and compliance.

Pathways after residence. After several years of lawful and continuous residence, eligible residents may apply for long-term EU resident status or consider naturalization if language and civic integration conditions are met. Exact requirements depend on the status sought and time spent in Luxembourg.

Local administration in Diekirch. On arrival, you complete your declaration of arrival with the Administration communale de Diekirch and interact with its population office for local certificates. Practical settlement topics include lease registration rules, school enrollment, vehicle registration, and health insurance affiliation. National immigration decisions remain centralized in Luxembourg City.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Luxembourg’s Golden Visa and does Diekirch have special rules

Luxembourg’s equivalent is the investor residence permit. It is a national scheme with uniform rules across the country. Diekirch does not have separate immigration rules, although you will handle local arrival registration with the Diekirch commune once you move.

How much do I need to invest and in what forms

Minimums vary by route. Common thresholds are at least 500,000 euros for investment in an existing Luxembourg company with a multi-year holding period, at least 500,000 euros to create a new company in Luxembourg combined with job creation targets, at least 3 million euros in a Luxembourg investment structure, or at least 20 million euros deposited with a Luxembourg financial institution for a set period. The exact conditions and holding periods are set by law and must be confirmed for your chosen route.

Does buying residential real estate qualify

No. Residential real estate purchases do not qualify for Luxembourg’s investor residence permit. The program is focused on corporate investment, investment structures, or significant bank deposits.

Can my family come with me

Yes. Spouses or registered partners and dependent minor children can generally apply for family reunification once you hold your residence status and meet accommodation and resource requirements. Processing is separate for each family member and they receive their own residence cards.

What is the timeline and what steps should I expect

The process typically involves selecting the investment route, obtaining pre-approval from the competent ministry, securing the prior authorization to stay, applying for a long-stay visa if required, entering Luxembourg, registering your arrival in Diekirch, completing the medical exam, and filing the residence permit application with biometrics. Timelines vary with due diligence, investment setup, and administrative backlogs.

Do I need to live in Luxembourg full time and can I work

You are expected to reside primarily in Luxembourg to maintain your status and to renew your card. Working is allowed within the scope of your status and local rules. If you plan to run or work for your company, verify any establishment permit or professional qualification requirements.

What documents will I need and how should they be prepared

You should prepare a valid passport, clean criminal record certificates from countries of residence, proof of health insurance, accommodation documents, civil status certificates, detailed proof of funds and their lawful origin, and investment evidence such as corporate documents or bank attestations. Documents often must be legalized or apostilled and translated into an accepted language for Luxembourg authorities.

How are taxes handled for investors and their companies

Tax outcomes depend on your personal residence, the structure of your investment, and treaty positions. Company profits, dividends, capital gains, and salary may be taxed in Luxembourg. Coordinated advice is important to manage corporate tax, personal income tax, social security, and cross-border implications.

What happens if my investment loses value or I need to change it

You must comply with the minimum thresholds, holding periods, and any job creation commitments. Material changes usually require notification and in some cases fresh approval. If the investment no longer meets the conditions, renewal could be at risk. Seek legal advice before altering the structure.

Can I travel within Schengen and can this lead to permanent residence or citizenship

With a valid Luxembourg residence card, you can travel short term within the Schengen Area, subject to general Schengen rules. After sustained lawful residence, you may apply for long-term EU resident status or consider naturalization if you meet residence duration, language, and civic integration requirements.

Additional Resources

Direction de l’Immigration - Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs - the national authority that handles authorizations to stay and residence permits.

Ministry of the Economy - competent for establishment permits and assessment of company investment projects.

Ministry of Finance - competent for certain financial investment routes including significant bank deposits.

Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier - financial sector regulator for regulated investment structures and financial institutions.

Administration communale de Diekirch - local population office for arrival declarations and municipal services.

Luxembourg Business Registers - Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés - for company registration and filings.

Barreau de Diekirch - local bar association to help find licensed lawyers practicing immigration, corporate, and tax law.

Chambre de Commerce and House of Entrepreneurship - business support and guidance on setting up companies in Luxembourg.

Caisse nationale de santé - health insurance administration for affiliation and coverage matters.

Embassy or Consulate of Luxembourg in your country of residence - for visa submissions and document legalization guidance.

Next Steps

Clarify your objectives, including whether you prefer corporate investment, creation of a new business with job creation, an investment structure, or a bank deposit route. Consider the budget, holding period, and your plans to live and work in Luxembourg.

Engage a Luxembourg-qualified lawyer, ideally through the Barreau de Diekirch if you plan to reside in the Diekirch area. Ask for coordinated advice that covers immigration, corporate or fund structuring, banking compliance, and tax in both Luxembourg and your home country.

Assemble documents early. Obtain criminal record certificates, civil status documents, bank letters, proof of lawful origin of funds, and housing evidence. Budget time for notarization, apostille or legalization, and certified translations.

Work with your lawyer to prepare the investment dossier for pre-approval with the competent ministry. In parallel, initiate bank onboarding or company formation as applicable. Do not transfer funds or make irrevocable commitments before you understand the approval conditions.

Apply for the prior authorization to stay and, if you are visa-required, the long-stay visa. Upon arrival, complete your declaration of arrival at the Administration communale de Diekirch, attend the medical examinations, and submit biometrics for your residence card within the statutory deadlines.

Plan for renewals. Maintain the qualifying investment, track residence presence, keep insurance and accommodation current, and calendar renewal dates. If your investment needs to change, seek advice in advance to protect your status.

This guide is informational only. Immigration decisions depend on individual facts and current regulations. A licensed Luxembourg lawyer can give advice tailored to your situation and handle filings efficiently.