Language proficiency and knowledge of state institutions - here’s how to apply for Luxembourgish citizenship Last year some 6,800 people applied for Luxembourgish citizenship. A Luxembourgish passport remains one of the most powerful in the world, offering visa-free access to 189 countries, according to the latest ranking published by the Henley Passport Index. The rules for getting nationality will depend on your case, but for most people it will involve taking a language proficiency test and completing the Living Together course or test. Who can apply for citizenship? There are 10 cases in which you can apply for citizenship, although the criteria for application will differ, with many requiring you to take a language proficiency test (spoken test to A2 level, listening test to B1 level) and the Living Together in Luxembourg course or test (rights of citizens, state and local institutions and history of …
On Thursday, 10 February 2022, the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, Thomas Barrett, presented his diplomatic credentials to His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City, becoming the 24th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. “From the west side of Milwaukee to the Grand Ducal Palace, I am tremendously honored and excited to start my next chapter here in Luxembourg as the U.S. Ambassador. I am excited to build on the strong relationship our two countries share, which I have already experienced in my home state of Wisconsin – a place with a very special connection to Luxembourg. I look forward to working together as close partners to advance our shared priorities on human rights and climate change, expand our collaboration in finance and …
Companies that are implementing Luxembourg Trade & Investment Industry 4.0 in Luxembourg have access to a wide range of service providers specialised in digital transformation. Read about virtual experience specialist [and LACC member] Virtual Rangers. What is your field of expertise? Matthieu Bracchetti, founder and CEO, Virtual Rangers:“We specialise in creating virtual experiences, using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). We provide our technology and knowhow as a service to companies in a variety of sectors – industry, banking, healthcare, culture, etc. – that want to digitalise and innovate.” "Luxembourg is our showcase market that we have used to understand the needs and develop our offering." What type of solutions do you provide to companies wanting to adopt an industry 4.0 approach? “I have often seen VR being showcased as a fancy feature at trade fairs without any real use. …
January 26, 2022 - Luxinnovation Until the end of the year, SMEs can benefit from financial support helping them protect their intellectual property rights. Following the success in 2021 of the “SME Fund”, offering small and medium-sized European enterprises financial support for the filing and management of trademarks and designs, the initiative has been renewed for the year 2022. The European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) have launched the “Ideas Powered for Business” SME Fund for 2022. From 10 January to 16 December 2022, companies can benefit from a higher rate of funding. The initiative has also been extended to patent applications. SMEs can obtain a refund covering up to 75% of their filing fees for trademarks and designs, and up to 50% for patents. Information Webinar In this context, the Institut de la Propriété intellectuelle Luxembourg (IPIL …
Luxembourg aims to play a larger role in the rapidly growing global fintech market. Luxembourg has long been a major financial centre in Europe, with nearly 130 authorised banks. It is also the second biggest market in the world – behind the US – for investment funds, with more than €5.6bn in net assets being managed in the country. It isn’t surprising that an increasing number of fintech companies are choosing Luxembourg for their European headquarters. The small European country is unique because of the language skills not only among the people working for the different companies, but also among the regulators. The three official languages are French, German and Luxembourgish. But applications and contracts can be written in English – and still be fully recognised by the courts. Switzerland offers similar language advantages, and the ability to use English. But one thing that Switzerland doesn’t have compared to Luxembourg …
Following the announcement on Wednesday 25 August 2021, when the President of the USA, Joe Biden, announced his intent to nominate Thomas Barrett to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the decision has been ratified by the US Senate on Thursday 16 December 2021. Mayor of Milwaukee since 2004, Thomas Barrett is currently the longest-serving big city mayor in the US. He has led great lakes mayors in both Canada and the U.S. as the chair of the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Cities Initiative, and spearheaded multiple clean, green initiatives in the city to clean up rivers, parks and brownfields. He served five terms as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and was a State Senator and State Representative in Wisconsin. Thomas Barrett received a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from the …
On Friday 3 December 2021, Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, Franz Fayot, visited Ampacet Europe which announced on this occasion that it is doubling its colour production lines at its Dudelange site. Ampacet has invested more than €40 million in a new facility in Dudelange that currently houses the American group's European headquarters. This investment is set to double the company's colour production capacity and lead to the creation of 25 additional jobs. Since arriving in the Grand Duchy in 1995, first in Windhof and then in Dudelange, Ampacet has continued to expand its activities there. The company invested more than €40 million in Luxembourg through the establishment, on two occasions, of new production lines in Dudelange and the installation of its European distribution centre within the Eurohub Sud logistics park in Bettembourg / Dudelange. Based in New York, the …
From Luxembourg for Finance In a surprise announcement, Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna indicated he would step down from his post at the end of 2021 for personal reasons. During his eight years as Minister he has been a tireless advocate for Luxembourg’s financial services. One of his major legacies is the implementation of tax transparency, which he embraced from the beginning of his term. His other achievements comprise the continued digitalisation of Luxembourg’s financial industry and his relentless push for finance to be more sustainable. He ensured Luxembourg’s continued fiscal stability and steered it safely through the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. As the numbers attest, he leaves Luxembourg’s financial industry in excellent shape and for this we owe him thanks. As Finance Minister, Pierre Gramegna was also Chairman of Luxembourg for Finance and the entire team, and …
Luxembourg's Minister of Finance, Pierre Gramegna, attended the first in-person ALFI London Conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on 18 November 2021. On this occasion, Minister Gramegna advocated the role of the financial sector in achieveing net zero emissions. The Finance Minister addressed fund sector professionals at the conference, stating: "One of the positive effects of the COP26 in Glasgow is undoubtedly the reinforced engagement of the private sector, and more particularly of finance actors, in the financing of the fight against the climate crisis. The financial sector has realised the special role it plays in the transition to a future of net zero emissions and therefore the achievement of the objectives of the Paris Agreement. It is by mobilising the resources of the financial sector, including investment funds, that we will go from billions to trillions of …