International Protection

Where persons seeking international protection are concerned, Luxembourg recognises 2 distinct statuses: refugee status; and subsidiary protection status. If you are granted international protection, you will be issued with a residence permit that is valid for 5 years. In addition to the two types of protection mentioned above – refugee status and subsidiary protection status – Luxembourg also recognises the status of temporary protection, but only in exceptional circumstances.

This form of protection is triggered by a decision of the Council of the European Union further to a major influx of displaced persons.

You must express your desire to apply for international protection, in person, to one of the following agencies: the Ministry of Home Affairs (General Department of Immigration - Department for refugees); the Grand Ducal Police; the National Reception Office ( ONA ); the National Office for Children ( ONE ); the detention centre where you are being held; or the prison where you are being detained.

You will undergo screening if you have crossed an external border of the European Union without fulfilling the entry conditions, or if you have been stopped in Luxembourg after having crossed an external border of the European Union illegally.

your rights and obligations, in a language that you may reasonably be expected to understand; your right to be assisted by an interpreter, free of charge; and your right to legal aid

In principle, after registering your application for international protection, you will be given a document that will allow you to remain in Luxembourg.

Important: You will not be permitted to leave the country.

Once you have filed your application for international protection, you can contact the National Reception Office (ONA) to apply for social welfare oversight and educational support, and for material support pending the outcome of your application. If you are an unaccompanied minor, your support will be handled by the National Office for Children (ONE).

Within 8 days of filing your application for international protection, you must file a declaration of arrival with the commune where you decide to establish your usual place of residence.

Each adult will be interviewed separately

If your application for international protection is examined through the normal procedure, a decision is generally taken within 6 months of the date on which your application was filed. That interval may be prolonged by a further 6 months

For the fast-track procedure, applicants generally receive a response from the ministry within 3 months of filing their application.

To register and file your application for international protection, you must go to the Ministry of Home Affairs' General Department of Immigration in person ;

Appeals before the Administrative Tribunal and the Administrative Court must be brought through a bar-registered lawyer.