Luxembourgish at A2/B1 is the key to citizenship — tested at INLL for €75, with a 24-hour course exemption for 20-year residents.
Overview
Luxembourg's language testing regime for immigration purposes is straightforward: there is no mandatory language test to obtain a work or residence permit. Language requirements arise only on the path to Luxembourgish nationality. Applicants for citizenship by naturalisation or by option (in most cases) must pass the Sproochentest Lëtzebuergesch administered by the Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL). The test assesses oral Luxembourgish at A2 level for oral expression (speaking) and B1 level for oral comprehension (listening). The registration fee is €75, payable to INLL. The pass threshold is 50% of the combined score; a low speaking score can be offset by a strong listening score if the arithmetic average reaches 50%. In addition to the Sproochentest, citizenship applicants must also obtain a 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' certificate from the Service de la formation des adultes (SFA) of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth — this covers civic knowledge (fundamental rights, institutions, history). Persons resident for more than 20 years are exempt from the Sproochentest and civic test, needing only 24 hours of Luxembourgish language courses. Verified against men.public.lu and guichet.public.lu as of June 2026.
The Sproochentest — Key Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test name | Sproochentest Lëtzebuergesch |
| Administered by | Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL) |
| Languages tested | Luxembourgish (Lëtzebuergesch) only |
| Levels assessed | A2 for oral expression (speaking); B1 for oral comprehension (listening) |
| Registration fee | €75 (payable to INLL) |
| Pass threshold | ≥50% of final score; arithmetic average of speaking + listening used if speaking score < 50% |
| When required | Naturalisation and most option-based nationality routes; not required for residence permits or work authorisations |
| Exemption | Persons legally resident in Luxembourg for more than 20 years may instead attend 24 hours of Luxembourgish language courses (approved providers, ministerial accreditation required) |
| Fee reimbursement | Citizenship candidates may apply for reimbursement of the €75 fee after submitting the nationality application to the commune registrar |
| Preparatory courses | INLL, Service de la formation des adultes (SFA) and accredited partners offer courses; online courses also available in English |
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pass a language test to get a Luxembourg work permit or residence permit?
No. Luxembourg imposes no language test as a condition for obtaining a residence permit, salaried worker authorisation, or EU Blue Card. The Sproochentest Lëtzebuergesch (€75, administered by INLL) is required only on the path to Luxembourgish nationality — by naturalisation or by option in most cases. You can live and work in Luxembourg for years on a valid residence permit without taking any formal language test.
What exactly does the Sproochentest assess and what is the pass mark?
The Sproochentest Lëtzebuergesch tests oral Luxembourgish at A2 level for oral expression (speaking) and B1 level for oral comprehension (listening). You must score at least 50% of the final combined score to pass. If your speaking score alone is below 50%, you can still pass if the arithmetic average of your speaking and listening scores is ≥50%. The test is administered by the Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL); call (+352) 26 44 30 1 or visit inll.lu to register. The registration fee is €75.
I have lived in Luxembourg for more than 20 years. Do I still need to take the Sproochentest for citizenship?
No. Persons who have legally resided in Luxembourg for more than 20 years and who apply for nationality by option may be exempted from the Sproochentest and the 'Vivre ensemble' exam. Instead, they must attend a minimum of 24 hours of Luxembourgish language courses from a provider holding ministerial accreditation from the Service de la formation des adultes (SFA). The courses must explicitly state they are offered under Article 28 of the amended Law of 8 March 2017 on Luxembourg nationality. After completing the course, submit the original certificate to SFA (Bâtiment Terres Rouges, Esch-Belval) for official validation.
Can I get my Sproochentest fee reimbursed when I apply for citizenship?
Yes, under certain conditions. After submitting your citizenship application to the civil registrar of your commune, you may apply to the Ministry of Justice for reimbursement of the €75 Sproochentest fee and approved course fees. Reimbursement requests can only be filed after the nationality application is submitted — not before. The eligibility conditions are set by the Ministry of Justice; check guichet.public.lu for the current criteria. The 'Vivre ensemble' course registration is free, so there is nothing to reimburse for that component.
What language is the 'Vivre ensemble' test conducted in, and can I take it online?
The 'Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' test is a computer-based multiple-choice exam held in Esch-Belval. As of the latest information from men.public.lu, online courses are available in English (making the course content accessible without Luxembourgish or French fluency), but the exam itself is held in person in Esch-Belval. The SFA also offers the course in Luxembourg-Hollerich and Diekirch, with additional courses planned in northern Luxembourg from late 2026. Contact sfa@men.lu or call (+352) 8002-4488 for current course schedules.
What Luxembourgish language courses are available to new residents who are not yet applying for citizenship?
The Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL) offers Luxembourgish language courses for all residents, including general conversational courses ('Lëtzebuergesch fir Alldag') and preparatory courses for the Sproochentest. INLL is the leading public language institute; courses are available at multiple levels and locations across the country. The Service de la formation des adultes (SFA, Ministry of Education) also coordinates accredited providers across the country. Courses are not free for general residents — fees are set by INLL and accredited providers.