Communication on the expiry of old residence permits and permanent residence permits

The Directorate of Immigration of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs wishes to inform you that residence cards and permanent residence cards for third-country nationals who are family members of a Union citizen, issued in the form of a card printed on secure paper with a photograph affixed, will cease to be valid on 3 August 2023.

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on enhancing the security of Union citizens' identity cards and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right to free movement, the format of residence documents for third-country nationals who are family members of a Union citizen has been adapted. As a result, as of 1 June 2021, residence permits and permanent residence cards in Luxembourg will be issued in the form of biometric smartcards. According to the above-mentioned regulation, cards issued before June 2021 in the old format (secure printed paper with photo) can still be used during a transitional period, as long as they have not yet reached their expiry date. This transition period ends on 3 August 2023, so cards issued in the old format before June 2021 will cease to be valid on 3 August 2023, even if they have an expiry date after 3 August 2023.

Holders of such a residence permit in the old format must exchange it for a new one before 3 August 2023 in order to continue to have a valid residence document and to avoid problems when travelling abroad or dealing with the authorities. All those concerned have been informed by letter of the procedure to be followed.

As the date of 3 August 2023 is approaching, and taking into account that it will take some time to produce the new cards, those who have not yet exchanged their cards are asked to do so as soon as possible by following the exchange procedure indicated in the letter sent or by contacting the Immigration Department (at the following e-mail address: immigration.public@mae.etat.lu).

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs