Authorisation to practise (Luxembourg, autorisation d'exercer)

Luxembourg has no licensing exam. The Ministry of Health and Social Security grants a personal licence after checking your qualification, good repute, physical and mental health and language skills. The regulated health professions page lists 23 professions, including nurse, midwife, physiotherapist and dietitian; doctors, dentists and pharmacists are licensed under their own laws. Guichet.lu warns that unauthorised practice, or a licence obtained through false declarations, is punishable by 8 days to 3 months in prison and a fine of €251 to €5,000.

• Doctors with a non-EU diploma. Guichet.lu says you must first obtain recognition in another EU member state that lets you practise there on an equal footing with holders of the diplomas in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. You attach that recognition and your licence from that country.
• Nurses and other professions with a foreign diploma. Apply to the Ministry of Research and Higher Education (MESR) for recognition, at €75 per recognition and profession. It can recognise you directly, require compensation measures such as an aptitude test or adaptation period, or refuse. Secondary-level diplomas go to the education ministry instead.
• EU-trained general care nurses and midwives with Annex V qualifications, and doctors with EU-conforming diplomas, are exempt from recognition and apply directly.

1. Prove your language. Unless your mother tongue is French, German or Luxembourgish, show B2 in French or German through training certificates, work experience in a French or German-speaking country, or a B2 certificate from the National Institute for Languages Luxembourg (INLL).
2. Gather documents. ID; a residence permit or proof of international protection if you are a third-country national; a criminal record extract and a health certificate from a licensed doctor, each under three months old; diplomas and any recognition decision. Doctors add a CV and a certificate of good character from their Order of Physicians, under three months old.
3. Translate. Documents not in French, German or Luxembourgish need a sworn translation.
4. Apply on MyGuichet.lu and pay by card at the end. If you paid by bank transfer, post the application instead.
5. Wait for the decision by post. For doctors, the Collège médical gives its opinion within 3 weeks to 3 months of receiving the complete file.

Doctors must enter the ministry's professional register and the Collège médical's register within one month of starting to practise, and hold professional civil liability insurance. Other professionals must keep their details up to date in the register of healthcare professions. The licence lapses if you do not start practising within 2 years, or stop for more than 2 years; a lapsed licence can be renewed on request. Refusals can be appealed to the administrative tribunal within one month for doctors and three months for other professions.

• The residence permit loop. Both the licence and MESR recognition ask third-country nationals for a valid Luxembourg residence permit, so plan the order of steps with your employer.
• English only. English does not meet the language rule for the licence.
• Non-refundable fees. Fees are not refunded if the licence is refused or you withdraw.
• Expired documents. The three-month limit on the criminal record and health certificate catches many applicants.