Learn how the spouse of a Luxembourg dual citizen can be eligible to apply for a dual citizenship status of their own.
Luxembourg Dual Citizenship: What It Means for a Spouse
A common question we receive from applicants is:
If I obtain Luxembourg dual citizenship, can my spouse also become a citizen?
The answer is straightforward: Marriage alone does not grant Luxembourgish citizenship. This is the same as in the United States—when a U.S. citizen marries a foreign national, their spouse does not automatically become a U.S. citizen.
Luxembourg has clear pathways for spouses of Luxembourg citizens, but these depend on specific legal conditions. Below, we outline the key rules regarding dual citizenship, permanent residency, and naturalization options for spouses.
Ancestry-Based Citizenship Does Not Extend to Spouses
Many of our clients assume that when they apply for dual citizenship via ancestry—meaning they can prove direct descent from a Luxembourgish ancestor – that this will extend to their spouse.
However, spouses do not qualify for citizenship through ancestry because they do not have the same Luxembourg-born ancestor.
That said, there are still options for spouses who want to live in Luxembourg or eventually apply for citizenship.
Permanent Residency for Spouses
While a spouse does not automatically become a Luxembourgish citizen, they do have the right to apply for permanent residency based on their marriage. This is similar to a “green card” in the U.S.
A Luxembourg citizen can sponsor their spouse for permanent residency, allowing them to:
- Live in Luxembourg (or any other EU country they have a fixed residence in)
- Work and study freely
- Benefit from EU residency rights
When specifically referring to Luxembourg, this right is not limited to legally married spouses. It also applies to:
- Couples who obtain a civil union (PACS) in Luxembourg
- Partners in a long-term, common-law relationship who have lived together for many years (terms defined under Luxembourg law even if common law marriage applied in your state under difference conditions)
Each EU country has its own rules for processing spousal residency, so the above conditions may not apply in other EU countries.
But for married couples, the general principle is the same throughout the EU: as long as the couple shares a fixed residence in that EU country and remains legally married, the non-citizen spouse has the right to reside in the country with their EU citizen husband or wife.
For more details on permanent residency, see our in-depth article here.
Citizenship by Option for Spouses
For spouses who want to obtain Luxembourgish citizenship, there is a separate process called citizenship by option.
The spouse of a Luxembourg citizen living outside of Luxembourg may apply for Luxembourg citizenship after at least three years of marriage to a Luxembourg citizen. The years of marriage before the spouse gets/got their Luxembourg citizenship apply to this timeline. For a couple living in Luxembourg, no minimum marriage timeline applies.
For more details on the process, see our full guide on how The Spouse of a Luxembourg Citizen Can Apply For Dual Citizenship.
Summary: What Spouses of Luxembourg Citizens Need to Know
- Marriage alone does not grant Luxembourgish citizenship—spouses are not eligible through ancestry-based nationality.
- A spouse can obtain permanent residency in Luxembourg or another EU country based on their marriage, civil union, or long-term relationship.
- If the couple lives outside of Luxembourg, after three years of marriage, a spouse may apply for Luxembourgish citizenship by option, but this requires passing a language exam and a civics course in Luxembourg. If the married couple lives in Luxembourg, no minimum timeline applies to the marriage.
For further details, see our dedicated guides on:
- Permanent residency for spouses
- Citizenship by option for spouses