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Recognition procedure liberal professions
If it is for the Ministry of Higher Education and Research – ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (MESR) –, on the basis of the opinion of the ad hoc commission, to decide on an application for professional recognition in order to obtain a business permit the procedure shall take place as follows (concerned professions: architect – architecte; interior architect – architecte d'intérieur; landscape architect/landscape engineer – architecte paysagiste/ingénieur paysagiste; accountant – comptable; patent attorney – conseil en propriété industrielle; chartered accountant – expert-comptable; surveyor – géomètre; consulting engineer in the construction sector – ingénieur-conseil du secteur de la construction; independent engineer (other than a construction engineer) – ingénieur indépendant (discipline autre que la construction); town and country planner – urbaniste/aménageur).
Please note:
Holders of a recognised Luxembourgish diploma can turn directly to the Directorate-General for Middle Classes – Direction générale des Classes moyennes – to apply for a business permit.
Professional recognition serves only the purpose of obtaining access to a regulated profession. It does not confer a right to use an academic title and does not provide information on the level of the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework – cadre luxembourgeois des qualifications (CLQ). For more information on registration in the Register of formal higher education qualifications and related recognition criteria, please see the Academic recognition section.
Application for professional recognition
The application for professional recognition must be filed to the MESR along with the following supporting documents:
- the application form duly completed and signed (for applications submitted by regular mail only);
- a copy of the evidence of formal qualifications (diploma, certificate, diploma supplement, etc.);*
- official proof of professional experience, if existing (copy of the employment contract, attestation by the employer, etc.);*
- official proof of legal establishment or professional recognition in one or more Member States of the European Union, if existing (copy of the authorisation to practise, decision on equivalence, document certifying membership of a professional order, etc.);*
- a copy of an identity document;
- a copy of the valid residence permit for Luxembourg (applies to applicants who are not nationals of a Member State of the European Union or of a Member State of the European Economic Area or of the Swiss Confederation);
- proof of payment of the fee: debit note/bank statement (for applications submitted by regular mail only. Online applications include payment by credit card);
- if applicable, any other useful document.*
* Documents in the original language must be accompanied by a sworn translation into English, French, German or Luxembourgish, if the original language is different: List of sworn translators, by the Ministry of Justice – ministère de la Justice.
The application can be submitted:
- online, on Guichet.lu:
- or by regular mail, sending the form together with the supporting documents to the following address:
Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche
18-20, montée de la Pétrusse
L-2327 Luxembourg
The fee of EUR 75 per diploma must be paid, for online applications on Guichet.lu, by credit card when submitting the application. Applications sent by regular mail must contain the debit note/bank statement of the transfer to the following account:
IBAN: LU36 0019 5955 4436 2000
BIC: BCEELULL
Name of beneficiary: Administration de l’enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA
Communication: Taxe reconnaissance des diplômes, MESR, [name of applicant], [date of application].
A decision to refuse recognition does not entitle to a refund of the fee.
Course of procedure
After examination of the application for recognition, the decision is communicated by regular mail:
- direct recognition
- decision granting compensatory measures
- refusal of recognition
Direct recognition
In the case of a direct recognition, the application for the business permit to practise the profession must be filed to the Directorate-General for Middle Classes - Direction générale des Classes moyennes.
Decision granting compensatory measures
The decision granting compensatory measures is based on the finding of substantial differences between, on the one hand, the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills acquired by the applicant, and, on the other hand, the professional profile of the profession in question as defined by Luxembourg law.
Professional recognition is therefore conditional on the successful completion of either an aptitude test or an adaptation period, in order to bridge the differences between the applicant’s qualifications and the profession in question in Luxembourg.
The details of the adaptation period and the aptitude test are set out in the letter notifying the decision to impose compensatory measures. The means of appeal are also explained in the above-mentioned letter, but are available under the heading Means of appeal as well.
After obtaining professional recognition following the successful completion of the compensatory measures, the application for the businet permit to practise the profession in question must be filed to the Directorate-General for Middle Classes - Direction générale des Classes moyennes.
Refusal of recognition
In the event of a decision refusing professional recognition, the means of appeal are explained in the letter notifying the decision, but are also available under the heading Means of appeal.
Please note:
Any exercise of a regulated liberal profession profession in one's own name without prior business permit to practise issued by the Directorate-General for Middle Classes - Direction générale des Classes moyennes constitutes an illegal exercise and is punishable by law, even if the professional recognition of the qualifications has already been obtained from the MESR.