All entrepreneurs who want to open a sole proprietorship in Luxembourg must obtain the necessary permits and accreditations to conduct business. In order to demonstrate access to a profession, the applicant will need to confirm their education, especially if it was obtained outside the country. The Ministry of Economy may require the applicant to recognize the documents of specialization in order to decide on further authorization for access to commercial activity.
Documents
Education
Work
How to prove your professional education in Luxembourg
Read moreThe next step is to obtain a business permit, while a number of professions also require other authorizations: for example, accreditation or special registration for doctors, people, working with minors, etc.
Entrepreneurs whose activities are considered commercial, artisanal or intellectual, so mostly liberal professions yet requiring a commercial authorization must obtain a business permit.
Commercial activity
Commerce, hospitality and HoReCa (hotel, restaurant and café), transportation, manufacturing, etc.
Artisanal activity
Food industry, fashion, construction and engineering, audio-visual, entertaining and performing arts, etc.
Liberal intellectual activity
Accountants, architects, landscape designers, etc.
Requirements to obtaining a business permit in Luxembourg
Check yourself
If you meet the above criteria, you may be eligible for authorization to do business in Luxembourg.
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The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks
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Professional integrity
Proof that the business has been organized by a professional who works under his or her own name. The professional integrity is to guarantee the trustworthiness and to protect future partners and clients.
Professional qualification
That means that the entrepreneur has the required education to carry out the planned activity be it trade, craft or intellectual. CV and recognized diplomas confirm this.
Physical address in Luxembourg
A business permit is only issued if you have an address in Luxembourg where the sole proprietorship is registered. Presumably, all the necessary infrastructure required for the type of business is located at this address.
Self-managing a business
To ensure transparency, effective and continuous management by the permit holder is necessary. The presence of a third party, even if authorized to manage the business, is not sufficient to compensate for the non-participation of the owner.
Compliance with tax and business obligations
What this means is that you must not avoid taxes and that you must operate the business in a diligent manner, paying your bills on time and fulfilling your fixed obligations to your customers.
Check yourself
If you meet the above criteria, you may be eligible for authorization to do business in Luxembourg.
*
The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks
.
Where to apply for a permit
Entrepreneurs can apply for a business permit in several ways.
Online
This can be done online through MyGuichet.lu by using LuxTrust certificate. The system will define which supporting documents need to be attached to the application depending on the information provided by the applicant.
This method is advisable, because you can add all the missing items right away. Subsequently, it will be easier to register with CCSS, since the application will be automatically generated.
By post
For that, you need to send the application and accompanying documents to the General Directorate of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Anyone can get help applying for a permit through one of the following methods:
contact the House of Enterpreneurship to arrange a personal meeting or a call;
contact the Contact Entreprise of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts for advice;
call or make an appointment with the General Directorate of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Applications are usually considered within 3 months of receiving a complete set of documents. If no response has been sent after the waiting period, you should contact the General Directorate of Small and Medium Enterprises to check the status of the application.
Cost of the permit
50 euros
is the stamp duty for the issuance of a business permit for the first time
0 euro
if the initial address of a sole proprietorship's registration changed
The application must be accompanied by proof of payment of stamp duty (droit de cachellerie) in one of the following formats
Excise stamp
Fee payment statement
The application for a business permit in Luxembourg will not be processed without proof of payment of stamp duty (droit de cachellerie).
What documents are required
The application document set depends on whether or not the applicant maintains Luxembourg residency and the duration of it — specifically whether it is more or less than 10 years, as well as the type of future activity for which the business permit is requested.
Commercial activity
Artisanal and any other activity
Individual cases when obtaining a permit
Generally, a business permit must be requested when you want to engage in professional activities as a sole proprietor or with a company operating under your name. However, this authorization may not be always necessary, and sometimes the procedure may vary. Here are some cases to look at.
A third-country national wishing to become self-employed in Luxembourg
Particular types of professionals
European companies providing services
Recieving a permit
The business permit will be sent online through your personal account on the state portal within 3 months, provided the Ministry's decision is positive. In addition, the communication will be maintained via post to the company's address.
A special barcode is provided for each business permit. This code must be placed on postal mailings, websites, price lists, invoices, and window displays of all outlets, as well as on informational signs.
Business owners need to inform the General Directorate for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises within a month about any major changes, such as getting a travel package guarantee, opening or closing branches, changing the company's location, or if the business manager moves house. These updates can be sent either by mail or email.
Regarding the the withdrawal of a business license, this can happen under certain conditions. For example, if you do not inform the ministry of the change of principal residence of the director within a month, if you do not perform activities for more than two years, if you go bankrupt, if you lose professional reliability, and so on.
