The rate of registration of non-Luxembourg residents on the electoral roll is currently 11.7%. This compares with 22.8% in the 2017 communal elections, in which those living in the country for less than five years were unable to participate. Photo: Mike Zenari/Archives

The rate of registration of non-Luxembourg residents on the electoral roll is currently 11.7%. This compares with 22.8% in the 2017 communal elections, in which those living in the country for less than five years were unable to participate.  Photo: Mike Zenari/Archives

Only 11.7% of foreign residents were registered on 31 January 2023 to vote in the next municipal elections to be held in June. The remaining 88.3% have about three months to sign up. Here’s how to do that. 

The municipal elections taking place on Sunday 11 June will be open to more foreign residents. This is due to the adoption, in 2022, of a law aimed at abolishing the condition of five years’ residence to participate. The time limit had “prevented” 75,226 people from registering on the electoral roll in 2017. At that time, 22.8% of the 151,938 eligible foreign citizens had done so. Their electoral weight was estimated at 12%.

For 2023, this figure has not yet been reached, since on 31 January 2023, the registration rate of non-Luxembourg residents stood at 11.7%, according to the latest figures from the ministry for family, integration and the greater region, released on Monday 20 February.

More than half of those living in Luxembourg for 30+ years not registered

Registration numbers reached below 5% for residents who have been living in the country for six to 10 years and below 2.5% for those who have been living in the country for five years or less. Unsurprisingly, the highest rate is for those who have lived in the grand duchy for more than 30 years, though here the registration rate is below 40%, which means that more than half of long-term residents are still not registered.

The municipalities of Bech and Reisdorf have the highest registration rates, between 30 and 35%. The rate in Luxembourg City is between 5 and 10%. The oldest people are the most registered, with a rate of over 25% from the age of 65. The rate for 18-24 year olds is not even 2%.

In terms of nationality, there is a difference between residents from European countries (almost 14%) and those from outside the EU (just over 4%).

This data allows the government to identify the groups to target in its awareness campaign. The number of new registrations rose especially in January. Figures for February are expected to be released in early March.

When asked, the ministry had not yet told Delano’s sister publication Paperjam how many people will be eligible to register in 2023.

Who can vote?

Residents must be at least 18 years old on 11 June 2023 and live in Luxembourg to be able to vote. You must not have lost your right to vote in your country of origin (unless the cause is moving to Luxembourg) or in the grand duchy, and you must not have been sentenced by a judge to a criminal or correctional penalty in which the judge took away the right to vote. You also have to be registered on the lists, at the latest 55 days before the date of the elections, i.e., before 17 April at 5 pm.

Beneficiaries of international protection, a status given for instance to Ukrainian refugees after the start of the war in February 2022, can also register.

How to register?

It is possible to register online , using a LuxTrust certificate, or at your local administration with an identity document.

In the event of a move, the transfer to the electoral roll of the new commune is automatic. You can also ask to be removed from the lists at any time.

The purpose of these elections is to appoint municipal councillors for a period of six years. However, this right to vote for foreigners does not apply to the legislative elections, which are only open to Luxembourgers.

All information can be found on .

This article was first published in French on and translated for Delano. 

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