Salaire Santé Luxembourg

Languages and documents: the requirements common to every path

Last updated : August 2, 2026

Whatever your situation (nurse or care assistant, EU or non-EU diploma), some requirements come up at every step of the recognition and authorisation journey. Better to prepare them from the start.

Languages

To obtain the authorisation to practise, you must have a command of at least one of the country's three administrative languages: Luxembourgish, French or German. In practice, the Ministry of Health asks for proof of a CEFR B2 level in French or German.

This proof can be provided through:

  • a diploma obtained in a French- or German-speaking curriculum;
  • documented professional experience in a French- or German-speaking environment;
  • a language-exam certificate issued by an approved centre, notably the INLL (Institut national des langues Luxembourg), which organises regular sessions at several locations.

Worth knowing: in the daily life of care units French is by far the dominant language, but Luxembourgish and German are a real asset with elderly patients, especially in care homes.

Translations

Any document not written in French, German or English must be accompanied by a translation made by a sworn translator. The list of sworn translators in Luxembourg is published by the Ministry of Justice; sworn translations made in your country of origin are generally accepted if they are certified.

"Fresh" documents

Two items in the authorisation-to-practise file have a limited validity — do not request them too early:

  • the extract of the criminal record: less than 3 months old;
  • the medical certificate (physical and mental health): less than 3 months old.

Documents issued outside the EU

Diplomas and certificates issued outside the European Union must carry a certification of conformity (legalisation or Hague apostille depending on the country of origin) before being translated.

Third-country nationals: residence

If you are not a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, diploma recognition and the authorisation to practise do not replace the residence permit with the right to work ("salaried worker" residence authorisation, EU Blue Card…). The application is filed with the Directorate General of Immigration before entering the country. A copy of a valid residence permit is in fact required in recognition files.

To see the exact order of these steps for your profile, use our interactive assistant.

Official sources

Information provided for guidance only (verified in August 2026). Only the competent administrations are authoritative.

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