Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Sanem

About Residence by Investment Law in Sanem, Luxembourg

Luxembourg offers a residence permit for investors that allows eligible third-country nationals to obtain the right to live in the country by making a qualifying investment. The rules are national, so the same framework applies whether you settle in Sanem or anywhere else in Luxembourg. Sanem is a municipality in the south of the country, and once your application is approved at the national level, you complete local registration with the Commune de Sanem after arrival.

The investor residence route is grounded in Luxembourg immigration law and provides several investment options. Common options include investing a set minimum amount in an existing Luxembourg company and keeping the investment for a fixed period, creating a new business and meeting job creation targets, investing in or creating an investment or management structure with a real presence in Luxembourg, or making a large deposit with a Luxembourg financial institution for a fixed holding period. The investment must be pre-approved by the competent ministry before the immigration process can proceed.

The typical process has several stages. You first secure advance approval of your investment project from the relevant authority. You then apply for a temporary authorisation to stay. If you need an entry visa, you apply for a visa D at a Luxembourg consulate. After arriving, you register your arrival with the Commune de Sanem, complete a medical check arranged by the health authorities, and file for the residence permit card. The initial investor residence card is granted for a limited period and can be renewed if you continue to meet program conditions.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Investor immigration intersects with company law, tax, employment, banking, and strict anti-money laundering rules. A lawyer can help you choose the right investment route, verify that your project meets the legal thresholds, and obtain the necessary pre-approvals. If you plan to run or create a business, legal counsel can incorporate the company, secure the required business permit, draft corporate governance documents, and prepare compliant employment contracts when job creation is required.

Luxembourg authorities require thorough proof of lawful source of funds and may ask detailed questions about investment structures. A lawyer can coordinate due diligence, work with your bank on account opening and deposit confirmations, and prevent avoidable refusals. You may also need legal help to register locally in Sanem, review a residential lease or purchase agreement, advise on tax residency and reporting, include family members in your application, or appeal a negative decision. If your investment touches regulated areas such as funds or financial services, regulatory counsel is essential.

Local Laws Overview

Residence by Investment in Sanem is governed by national immigration legislation that sets investment thresholds, eligibility, and procedures. The investor residence permit was introduced through amendments to Luxembourg’s immigration framework and is administered by the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.

Corporate structures are governed by the law on commercial companies. Popular vehicles include the S.à r.l. and S.A. If you operate a business in Luxembourg, most commercial and craft activities require a business permit issued by the Ministry of the Economy. If your investment involves financial services or fund management, additional regulatory approvals or supervision may apply under financial sector laws. Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws impose source-of-funds, beneficial ownership, and recordkeeping obligations. Beneficial owners must generally be recorded in the Register of Beneficial Owners.

Tax is national. Luxembourg offers a sophisticated corporate tax regime with participation exemptions and treaty access, but you should obtain tailored tax advice on corporate income tax, municipal business tax, net wealth tax, VAT for operating businesses, and personal tax residency rules. Long-term residence and citizenship follow national standards. To maintain and renew your permit, you must continue to satisfy the investment conditions. For EU long-term residence or naturalisation, minimum residence periods and integration criteria apply, including language and civics requirements for citizenship.

Locally in Sanem, after arrival you must declare your presence and register your address with the commune. This registration is necessary to obtain the residence card and access local services. If you employ staff in Sanem, you must comply with Luxembourg labour law, register with social security, and observe workplace health and safety rules. Real estate leases and purchases are subject to Luxembourg civil and property law, and notarial formalities apply to property transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the qualifying investments for the investor residence permit?

Luxembourg offers several routes. Common options are to invest a prescribed minimum amount in an existing Luxembourg company and keep the investment for a set number of years, create a new company with a defined minimum investment and create jobs within a fixed timeframe, invest a significant amount in an investment or management structure that has a real presence in Luxembourg, or place a substantial deposit with a Luxembourg financial institution for a fixed term. The competent ministry must pre-approve your project, and you must keep the investment during the validity of the permit. Exact thresholds and conditions are set by law and are subject to change, so verify current figures before proceeding.

Can I qualify by buying residential real estate only?

Buying a home alone does not qualify for the investor residence permit. Real estate can form part of a business plan, for example through a company with operational activity, but a simple property purchase without meeting the program’s specific investment criteria will not suffice. You may of course purchase or rent a home in Sanem for living purposes once you have lawful residence.

What is the step-by-step process and how long does it take?

You typically start by preparing a compliant investment plan and seeking pre-approval from the relevant ministry. After pre-approval, you apply for a temporary authorisation to stay. If you are from a visa-required country, you then apply for a visa D. After entering Luxembourg, you register with the Commune de Sanem, complete the medical examination arranged through the health authorities, and submit biometrics for the residence card. Processing times vary based on the complexity of your case and the authorities’ workload. Plan for several months from project preparation to residence card issuance.

Do I need to live in Luxembourg full time to keep the permit?

The investor permit focuses on maintaining the qualifying investment and compliance with Luxembourg law. Minimum physical presence requirements for the permit itself can vary and should be checked at the time of application. If your goal is EU long-term residence or Luxembourg citizenship, actual residence in the country over multiple years is required. Extended absences can affect eligibility for long-term status or naturalisation.

Can my spouse and children join me?

Yes, eligible family members such as a spouse or registered partner and minor children can usually join you under family reunification once you hold the investor residence permit and meet financial and housing requirements. Adult dependent children and dependent parents may qualify in limited circumstances. Each family member must complete their own administrative steps and receive their residence card.

What proof of funds and background checks are required?

Authorities will require documentary evidence showing that your funds are lawful and under your control. Expect to provide bank statements, historical account records, contracts of sale, audited financial statements, and explanations of transactions. Enhanced due diligence applies in higher risk scenarios. You must supply police clearance certificates and may be asked for tax compliance documents. Banks in Luxembourg will also perform their own know-your-customer and anti-money laundering checks before opening accounts or accepting deposits.

How long is the investor residence permit valid and how do I renew it?

The initial investor residence card is granted for a limited period. You can apply to renew if you still meet all program conditions, including maintaining the qualifying investment and any required job creation. Continuity of investment and ongoing compliance are essential. After a sufficient period of lawful residence, you may consider applying for EU long-term residence. Separate criteria apply for naturalisation.

Do I have to complete the investment before applying?

You must first secure pre-approval of the investment project from the competent ministry. The timing of capital deployment depends on the investment route. Some options require committing funds after receiving pre-approval but before the residence card is issued, while others require confirmations from banks or corporate filings at defined stages. Follow the sequence provided in your pre-approval letter and legal counsel’s guidance to avoid refusals.

What are the tax implications of becoming a resident in Luxembourg?

Tax outcomes depend on your personal residence pattern, the structure of your investment, and treaty ties. Luxembourg taxes residents on worldwide income subject to treaty relief. Operating companies are subject to corporate income tax, municipal business tax, and net wealth tax, with exemptions for qualifying participations. If you place a deposit with a bank, interest may be subject to withholding or declaratory regimes depending on your circumstances. Obtain tailored cross-border tax advice before moving or investing.

What is the path to permanent residence or citizenship?

After five years of continuous legal residence and meeting integration and means requirements, you may apply for EU long-term resident status. For Luxembourg citizenship, current rules require a minimum residence period, successful completion of civic integration requirements, and Luxembourgish language proficiency at prescribed levels. Time spent in Luxembourg and adherence to the conditions of your permit are crucial. Language training and early planning improve your chances of success.

Additional Resources

Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for residence permits, authorisations to stay, and residence cards.

Ministry of the Economy for investment project pre-approval and business permits where applicable.

Ministry of Finance for deposit-based investment options and oversight of certain investment structures.

Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier for matters involving regulated financial activities and fund structures.

Administration des Contributions Directes for personal and corporate tax matters, and Administration de l’enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA for VAT and registration duties.

Register of Beneficial Owners for beneficial ownership filings connected to Luxembourg companies.

Commune de Sanem Population Office for local registration after arrival and address changes.

Luxembourg House of Entrepreneurship and Chamber of Commerce for practical guidance on setting up and running a business.

Luxembourg Bar for finding licensed immigration, corporate, and tax lawyers.

Chamber of Notaries for property transactions and notarisation of corporate deeds.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals first. Decide whether you prefer a business investment with operational activity, an investment or management structure, or a bank deposit route. Your target timeline, appetite for business operations, and family plans will influence the best option.

Engage qualified counsel early. Retain a Luxembourg lawyer experienced in investor immigration, corporate, and tax matters. Ask for a feasibility memo that maps your facts to the legal criteria, outlines risks, and confirms current thresholds and timelines.

Prepare documents. Assemble identification, civil status records for family members, police clearances, bank letters, historical account statements, audited financials, and evidence of lawful source of funds. If you plan to create a company, prepare a detailed business plan and job creation timeline.

Coordinate with a bank and advisors. Start know-your-customer onboarding with a Luxembourg bank as early as possible. If your route involves a deposit or an investment structure, the bank or service providers will need time for compliance checks.

Follow the correct sequence. Obtain investment pre-approval, apply for the temporary authorisation to stay, secure a visa D if needed, and plan your arrival in Sanem. Register with the Commune de Sanem, complete the medical check, and submit biometrics for your residence card.

Plan for life in Sanem. Review housing options, register for health insurance, and if applicable, enroll children in school. If you will operate a business locally, finalize your business permit, social security registrations, and employment documentation.

Monitor compliance and renewals. Track investment holding periods, job creation milestones, and filing deadlines. Schedule check-ins with your lawyer before renewals and before any significant change in your investment.

This guide is informational. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed lawyer in Luxembourg who can provide tailored guidance and represent you before the authorities.