Responding to a parliamentary question, justice minister Felix Braz said current naturalisation applicants who attended six hours of “Vivre ensemble au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg” courses prior to the entry into force of the new nationality law on 1 April, must now take a specific test.

Under the old regime, applicants were required to attend just six hours of classes to obtain a certificate. But, since 1 April, they are expected to attend 24 hours of classes or pass a test.

The multiple choice tests are organised by the education ministry and are separate to the optional tests organised under the new law. Deputy director of adult training Chantal Fandel explained that the tests are offered in French, German and English and consist of 20 questions. Applicants can prepare for the tests by reading a 30-page document, also available in French, German and English. The tests are organised throughout the year except for during the month of August. Fandel said the website was updated regularly with new test dates.

Braz did, however, reveal that language course certificates obtained prior to the entry into force of the new nationality law were still valid.

What was in the new law?

Among other things, the new law reduced the residency clause for applying for Luxembourg nationality from seven to five years, the final year of which should not be interrupted. It increased the number of compulsory hours in the civics course and introduced an optional test.

The language exam, in which applicants must obtain level A2 in speaking and B1 in listening remains unchanged with the exception that an average of the marks achieved in both will be taken into account. Candidates must therefore achieve an average of 50% correct answers.