Three Languages of Luxembourg: Which One for Your Documents

You’re sitting at your computer, looking for a sworn translator in Luxembourg - and suddenly realize you don’t even know which language to translate into. French? German? Luxembourgish? The country has three official languages, and no website clearly tells you which one you actually need. Get it wrong and that’s an extra 50-70 euros for a redo. Here’s how to pick the right one the first time.

Three Official Languages - But Only Two for Documents¶

The Language Law of 1984 (Loi sur le régime des langues) established three official languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German. In practice, though, they play very different roles.

Luxembourgish (Lëtzebuergesch) is the national language of everyday conversation. People speak it on the street, in cafes, at home. But official paperwork isn’t done in it, and translating documents into Luxembourgish for government institutions is pointless. You won’t even find a sworn translator from Ukrainian to Luxembourgish - that demand simply doesn’t exist.

French is the language of legislation. Every law, every code, every court ruling - all in French. That’s the legacy of the Napoleonic Code, which still forms the backbone of Luxembourg’s legal system today.

German is a fully recognized administrative language. By law, civil servants must respond to you in whichever language you use - French, German, or Luxembourgish. In practice, German is more common in the north of the country and in the education system.

Here’s an interesting detail: according to the 2021 census, only 49% of Luxembourg residents listed Luxembourgish as their main language. Second place goes to Portuguese (15.4%), third to French (14.9%). Nearly half the country’s population are foreign nationals. So translated documents aren’t unusual here - they’re the norm.

French - The Default Choice¶

If someone asks “which language should I translate into?” and you need one answer - it’s French. Here’s why.

All laws and regulations are written exclusively in French. When a judge issues a ruling, they reference the French text of the law - it’s the only authentic version. For legal procedures (courts, notaries, business registration), French is the only real option.

The Direction générale de l’immigration (immigration authority), which issues residence permits and Blue Cards, operates primarily in French. Applications go through guichet.public.lu, and the main working interface is in French.

Most sworn translators in Luxembourg work with French as their target language. Finding a translator from Ukrainian to French is easier than finding one for German - there’s a wider selection.

Where French is mandatory or prioritized:

• Court documents and lawsuits
• Company registration at the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés
• Notarized real estate transactions
• Contracts with government bodies

On one expat forum, a user shared their experience: “Submitted documents with a German translation to the tribunal - they accepted it no problem, but my lawyer later said French would’ve been better for court. Not critical, but unnecessary stress.” When in doubt, go French.

German - When It Beats French¶

German isn’t a second-class language in Luxembourg. In some situations, it’s actually more practical.

Education. Kids in Luxembourg start school in German. In primary school (cycles 2-4, ages 6-11), all subjects except French lessons are taught in German. So if you’re enrolling a child and submitting Ukrainian school documents - a German translation makes logical sense. The school will understand it perfectly.

Northern communes. Diekirch, Ettelbruck, Clervaux and surrounding municipalities are traditionally more German-speaking. If you live in the north and submit documents to your local commune - German is a perfectly natural choice.

Strategic advantage. If you’re planning to later submit the same documents in Germany or Austria, a German translation works in both places. One diploma translation instead of two - that’s a real saving of 100-200 euros. Especially relevant if you’re considering a Blue Card in both Luxembourg and Germany.

Where German works better:

• School and kindergarten documents
• Northern communes
• Medical documents (many doctors work in German)
• If you’re planning to eventually move to Germany or Austria

English - The Unexpected Shortcut¶

English isn’t an official language of Luxembourg. But Luxembourg is the EU’s financial capital with nearly 50% of its population being foreign nationals. English is everywhere here.

According to the official requirements on guichet.public.lu, residence permit applications require documents “in French, German, or English.” Yes, English is explicitly mentioned for several immigration procedures.

Where English is accepted:

• Direction générale de l’immigration - residence permits, Blue Card
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs - visas
• Ministry of Education - academic documents and diploma recognition
• Financial institutions - CSSF, banks

Where English won’t fly:

• Courts - French only (rarely German)
• Notaries - typically French
• Small communes away from the capital

Why this matters: translating from Ukrainian to English is often cheaper and faster. There are more English translators out there, more competition, lower prices. If an institution clearly says they accept English - you save both time and money. You can even get an English translation done in minutes through ChatsControl. Just make sure to confirm with the specific institution BEFORE you order.

Luxembourgish - The Language Nobody Translates Into (But You’ll Need to Learn)¶

Here’s a paradox: an official language of the country that nobody translates documents into. That’s just how Luxembourg works.

About 49% of the population speaks Luxembourgish as their main language. But laws aren’t written in it, official documents aren’t kept in it, and translating anything into it for the administration is a waste of money.

There’s one critical exception though: if you want Luxembourg citizenship, you’ll need to pass the Sproochentest - a test in Luxembourgish specifically. Level A2 for speaking, B1 for listening comprehension. Not French, not German - Luxembourgish. The test is administered by the Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL).

You’ll also need a certificate from the “Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg” course (Living Together in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg). So for documents, forget Luxembourgish. For full integration though - it’s the key that opens the door.

Which Language to Pick - A Quick Decision Guide¶

Here’s a simple algorithm for any situation:

Step 1: Ask the institution directly. Before ordering a translation, email the office where you’re submitting documents. Simple question: “Quelle langue pour la traduction de mes documents?” Five minutes of effort that could save you dozens of euros if they want a different language.

Step 2: If no answer - go with French. The safe bet. Accepted absolutely everywhere.

Step 3: Exception - education and the north. For schools, universities, or northern communes - German is perfectly fine.

Step 4: The English shortcut. If the institution explicitly states they accept English - you can save money.

Never translate into Luxembourgish. Never translate into two languages at once - one is enough. And don’t forget the apostille - it’s applied in Ukraine BEFORE the translation.

Find a sworn translator for any language pair through the official Ministry of Justice list or the directory. If you need a quick translation before taking it to a sworn translator - try certified translation through ChatsControl.

FAQ¶

Should I translate my documents into French or German for Luxembourg?¶

French by default. It’s the language of legislation and most administrative procedures. German is also accepted everywhere, but if you’re unsure - French is always the safe pick. For some immigration procedures, English is also accepted.

Do I need to translate documents into Luxembourgish?¶

No. Luxembourgish is the national language of daily conversation, but official documents aren’t done in it. Use French or German for your translations. You’ll only need to learn Luxembourgish for citizenship (the Sproochentest requires A2/B1 levels).

Will Luxembourg accept a translation into English?¶

Depends on the institution. The immigration authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Education usually accept documents in English. Courts, notaries, and some small communes don’t. Always check with the specific institution before ordering your translation.

How much does document translation cost in Luxembourg?¶

Sworn translation runs 40-70 euros per page regardless of target language. The difference is that Ukrainian-to-French translators are more available. A full document package for a family (certificates, diplomas) is roughly 400-500 euros.

What language is needed for Luxembourg citizenship?¶

For submitting documents - French or German. But for actually obtaining citizenship, you need to pass the Sproochentest - a test in Luxembourgish (not French, not German). Level A2 for speaking, B1 for listening. The test is administered by INLL.