The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2022. An update from Eurostat is expected in March 2024.

According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2022, there were about 57 900 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 9% of the population, and another 245 900 EU citizens (38.1%) living in Luxembourg at the time.

Furthermore, according to the National Statistic Agency STATEC, as of 1 January 2023, there are 67 674 third-country nationals (TCNs) and 245 733  EU citizens living in Luxembourg. According to Luxembourg's National Statistics Office (STATEC), the top 3 countries of origin for TCNs in Luxembourg are Ukraine, India and Brazil.

According to governmental data, in 2022 there were 19 238 new arrivals to Luxembourg, with 1 479 being TCNs. In addition to the foreign population living in the country, it is estimated that more than half of Luxembourgish citizens have a migrant background, and that 10% of these have a TCN background. In the same year 10 499 people, both EU citizens and TCNs, were naturalised in Luxembourg.

In 2021, 51.3% of permits were issued for family reunification, 27.1% - for work, and 7.7 – for study purposes, according to the European Migration Network (EMN)’s 2022 country factsheet for Luxembourg. In terms of naturalisation, 1 724 TCNs received citizenship in 2021, as opposed to 1 694 and 2 356 in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Other detailed statistical data is available in the EMN 2022 country factsheet for Luxembourg, with insights about the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.

By the end of November 2023, Luxembourg counted a total of 4 175 non-EU citizens who had fled the war against Ukraine and were under temporary protection – see monthly updates in the numbers of temporary protection beneficiaries on Eurostat.

The recent OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report provides further breakdowns of the composition of migrant populations and households in Luxembourg, including in terms of immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition.

Up-to-date statistics are also available on the national STATEC website.

In June 2018, the government adopted the National Action Plan on Integration (PAN Integration) which provides a framework for the implementation of the country's integration policy. The PAN Integration focuses on two fields of action:

• reception and social support for applicants for international protection
• integration of all non-Luxembourgish residents in the country

The latter two areas are complemented by three crosscutting themes:

• access to information and interaction
• quality of services
• national and international cooperation and coordination

The fight against discrimination, the promotion of diversity and equal opportunities are integral to all areas of work.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Integration under the coordination of the Department of Integration of the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region prepares and monitors the implementation of the PAN Integration.

All relevant national actors ensure the implementation of the PAN Integration and calls for projects on priority topics are published annually.

Before that, Luxembourg set up its first National Action Plan on Integration and against Discrimination in 2010, which lasted for 5 years.

The Welcome and Integration Contract

The Welcome and Integration Contract, or Contrat d’accueil et d’intégration (CAI), is a voluntary programme offered to all foreign citizens legally residing in Luxembourg. The signature of the contract is a symbolic act by which the signatory and the state declare their commitment to integration.

The contract offers language classes at reduced rates, citizenship training courses, and an orientation day during which participants can learn about administrative procedures, meet people involved in the country's cultural and associative life and exchange experiences with other participants. Under certain conditions, the completion of the Welcome and Integration Contract will be taken into account for obtaining long-term resident status and for acquiring nationality by option.

In September 2017, the Luxembourg government launched the Accompanied Integration Pathway, or Parcours d’intégration accompagné (PIA) - an integration programme for applicants for international protection and beneficiaries of international protection in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The objective of the PIA is to facilitate the integration of asylum seekers from the moment of their arrival and help them participate more autonomously in social life in Luxembourg. The PIA programme offers information sessions on daily life in Luxembourg organised by the Integration Department of the Ministry for Family, Integration and the Greater Region, as well as language integration courses organised by the Adult Education Department of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.

Integration at the local and regional levels

By signing the Pakt vum Zesummeliewen, municipalities can commit themselves to working towards a multi-year and dynamic process that focuses on communication, access to information and the participation of all people who live or work in the area of the municipality. Integration counsellors assist the municipality in implementing the pact.

In addition to this, several other instruments are used to support the implementation of integration projects at the local and regional level, including:

• financial support for integration projects via calls for proposals
• technical support for the elaboration and implementation of integration projects and municipal integration plans
• networking and exchange of best practices in the context of the Group for Exchange and Support on Integration at Local level (GRESIL)

The international Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) points out that over the past few years, Luxembourg’s integration policies have become more favourable to migrants. With 64 out of 100 points on the MIPEX 2020 scale, the country is deemed to have a comprehensive approach to integration, which overall guarantees equal rights, opportunities and security to immigrants.

In 2021, the OECD published the report Vers un parcours d’intégration réussi. Le fonctionnement du système d’intégration et ses acteurs au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ('Towards a successful integration process. The functioning of the integration system and its actors in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg'). The report formulates a number of recommendations for further improving national integration policies.

Law on foreigners

The Law of 8 March 2017, amending the Law of 28 August 2008 on free movement and immigration, eased the employment conditions for certain groups of migrants (high-skilled workers, investors, students and entrepreneurs from outside the EU). In addition, TCNs who hold a residence permit valid for at least 1 year can now immediately be accompanied by family members (the one-year waiting time removed). Students who have completed their university studies in Luxembourg may also immediately apply for a work-related residence permit. In July 2023 the legislation was changed: it is no longer possible for migrants without a work permit to secure employment.

Asylum law

The transposition of the EU asylum package brought two national laws on 18 December 2015: one on procedures and another on reception, both amending the Law of 5 May 2006 on the right of asylum and complementary forms of protection. The amendment came with several revisions. Legal assistance is, for example, now free of charge during the whole asylum procedure. The new asylum law also substantially enhances the safeguards for vulnerable groups and unaccompanied minors by introducing special procedural guarantees. Such guarantees include the completion of a needs assessment, the provision of adequate specialised support, a medical examination and the prioritising of the applications from vulnerable persons.

Integration law

The Law of 16 December 2008 on the reception and integration of foreigners established the former Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency (OLAI) whose main role was to implement national strategies on integration and anti-discrimination, and develop related action plans. The law also established the voluntary integration contract of a maximum of 2 years and regulated its functioning.

The Law of 4 December 2019 modified the 2008 law, creating the new National Reception Office (ONA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, which is now responsible for the reception and housing of asylum seekers. The 2019 law also created a new Department of Integration within the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region, which is responsible for coordinating Luxembourg’s integration policy.

In light of the development of a new integration law, the current government, in office until autumn 2023, launched a consultation gathering around 100 opinions.

In July 2023 Parliament adopted a new law, the Loi sur le vivre ensemble interculturel that will enter into force on 1 January 2024. The denomination “Integration” will be replaced by “Living together” and will include all residents, nationals, EU citizens, TCNs and beneficiaries of international protection.

The other relevant official instruments and bodies include:

• National action plan for intercultural living together
• Citizen pact of intercultural living together
• The program of intercultural living together
• Municipal pact of intercultural living together
• The High Council of Intercultural Living together
• Municipal Commission of Intercultural Living Together

Political participation

A new electoral Law was passed on 22 June 2022, amending the electoral law of 18 February 2003. The new law abolished the 5-year residence clause for foreign nationals wishing to register on the electoral lists for the communal elections, meaning that all residents (EU citizens and TCNs alike) are now able to take part in municipal elections, regardless of their nationality and length of residence. In addition to this, the deadline for registering on the electoral lists was extended, with registration now ending 55 days before the election day.

An important contribution to a higher registration rate is to be made by the national awareness-raising and information campaign 'I can vote'. It aims to make citizens aware of the importance of having a say in the future of their community.

For the elections of June 2023, the breakdown of foreign voters was as follows :

• 19.8 % of foreigners in Luxembourg registered to vote
• 15.3 % of resident TCNs registered to vote
• 21 % of resident EU citizens registered to vote

Citizenship law

The Law of 8 March 2017 repealed the law of 23 October 2008 and facilitated access to naturalisation for foreigners living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Non-Luxembourgish nationals can now apply for naturalisation after 5 years of residence instead of 7, which ultimately accelerates their access to political participation.

Another key component of the reform is the introduction of jus soli enabling people born in Luxembourg to non-native parents to obtain citizenship as of the age of 12.

Anti-discrimination law

• The laws of 28 November and 29 November 2006 amending the laws of 16 April 1979 and 24 December 1985 transposed EU directives on equal treatment and notably introduced the notion of discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnic origin. It also regulated the fight against labour market discrimination.
• The modest means of the Centre for Equal Treatment (CET) have been improved since it was initially set up, thanks to a great extent to a report on conditions carried out by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). CET now reports directly to Parliament.
• There was an important debate on racism in parliament on 1 July 2020, pushed for by both the Christian and Pirate parties.
• In early 2021, the government launched a study on 'Racism and ethno-racial discrimination in Luxembourg' (conducted by LISER and CEFIS). The report of the study was published in 2022.
• Two other studies were conducted under the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) national programme and examined the participation and integration of TCNs in Luxembourg, as well as the involvement of TCNs in civil society associations in the country. 

The Law of 4 December 2019 reorganised reception and integration competencies. The former Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency (OLAI) was replaced by the newly created National Reception Office (ONA), responsible for organising the reception of applicants for international protection and creating and managing accommodation facilities reserved for the temporary accommodation of applicants for international protection and people eligible for subsidiary protection. The Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region, which previously hosted OLAI, remains in charge of integration policy through a newly created Department of Integration. 

The Law of 16 December 2008 on the reception and integration of foreigners provided for the mandatory creation of a Consultative Committee for Integration in each municipality. The committees are developing strategies to improve contacts with their target groups and offer subsidies and facilities to promote intercultural activities organised by migrant associations.

The National Council for Foreigners, created in 1976, analyses issues related to foreigners and their integration. It submits annual reports to the government and suggests steps for the improvement of integration policies. The council acts either on its initiative or at the government's request, and, as of 2021, is set to be reformed.

Council members are representatives of migrants or beneficiaries of international protection, employers' organisations, the main trade unions and the Union of Towns and Municipalities of Luxembourg (SYVICOL). Articles 17-19 of Luxembourg’s Integration Law of 16 December 2008 provided for an increase in the number of foreigners' representatives from 15 to 22, with 7 representatives being TCNs. All 34 members are elected by registered associations.

EU funds 

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national and private funds are made available for different stakeholders to carry out projects aiming to foster integration of the migrant population.

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Luxembourg

• Details: AMIF 2021-2027 funding is already availble to projects in Luxembourg.
• National managing authority: In Luxembourg, the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the managing authority for the implementation of the AMIF. The Department of Integration of the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region is the intermediary body and is responsible for the implementation of actions related to the integration of TCNs.

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Luxembourg

• Details: In 2021-2027 ESF+ contributes with over €15.5 million to promote social inclusion, education and employment in Luxembourg. The funds focus on job seekers and people who are currently not integrated into the labour market. The funds also support the social economy through measures such as financing advice services for start-ups, as well as developing digital skills and jobs.  
• National managing authority: The national managing authority for the ESF in Luxembourg is the Ministry for Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy.

Other EU funds for integration available in Luxembourg

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authority:The Anefore Agency of the Ministry of Education

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: Ministry of Economy

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need

National managing authority: Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supports the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development

Other funds

Other public funding in Luxembourg

• Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region
• Ministry of Culture
• National Research Fund

Private funding in Luxembourg

• Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grand Duchesse Charlotte. The national lottery, which launched the €15-million Together programme in 2015, continues to finance integration programmes and projects.
• The Luxembourg Foundation
• Delhaize Group Fund
• The André Losch Foundation

Providing integration services

• The organisation in support of immigrant workers (ASTI)
• Caritas Luxembourg
• Liaison Committee for Foreigners’ Organisations (CLAE)
• Red Cross Luxembourg
• Passerell
• Myrights.lu by RONNEN DESCH

Implementing the Integration Programme

• National Reception Office (ONA)
• Integration Department of the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region
• Centre for Equal Treatment (CET)  

Research institutions

• Luxembourg Institute of Socio-economic Research (LISER)  
• Centre for intercultural and social research (CEFIS)
• University of Luxembourg

Campaigning 

The Ministry of Family has launched the campaign Je peux voter to mobilise residents to register for local elections taking place in June 2023.

Publishing statistics

• Central Service for Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC)
• Ministry of Social Security
• Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs