Luxembourg’s new passport has been available for one week, leading to an increased workload at the passport office.

The new Luxembourgish passport is valid for ten years, compared to the previous five. However, older versions are still being issued in some cases.

For those who regularly travel to countries outside the European Union, a valid passport is essential. These travellers are likely to welcome the extension of the passport’s validity from five to ten years. On Monday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio visited the passport office to assess the situation.

While the current weather in Luxembourg might inspire some to seek warmer or drier climates, that is unlikely to be the main reason for the busy scene at the passport office at 9am on Monday. Since 11 May, the new passport has been available for application at town halls, the passport office, and embassies.

One of the first recipients of the new travel document is former swimmer and Olympian Alwin de Prins. Speaking to RTL, de Prins explained that he urgently needed a new passport but decided to wait after learning that the new version would soon be available. He applied on the first possible day at 8am at his local town hall.

Another man who received a new passport on Monday morning slightly miscalculated and submitted his application three days too early. As a result, he received a passport valid for only five years. While he acknowledged that this was not the end of the world, he expressed mild frustration, noting that the new passport offers several advantages. He pointed out that the price remains the same for the new passports, despite their double validity. He also added that frequent travellers would benefit from the longer validity, as they would not have to worry as much about renewing their passports.

The price has indeed remained unchanged: €50 for a new passport under the standard procedure, or €150 for express processing. Authorities have also stressed that the introduction of the new passport does not invalidate older versions. Those remain valid until the expiration date printed on them.

The introduction of the new passport is largely due to the fact that the old versions no longer met EU security standards. The new passports feature watermarks on all sides, displaying well-known images such as the Golden Lady and the Chamber of Deputies. While no document can be made 100% secure, officials note that the goal is to make life as difficult as possible for potential forgers.

The Luxembourgish passport is among the strongest in the world, allowing its holders to travel to more than 170 countries without a visa. André Biever, Head of Consular Affairs, explained that while many countries officially treat all EU citizens equally, this is not always the case in practice. As a result, bilateral interventions are still necessary – efforts that Luxembourg frequently undertakes alongside its fellow Benelux countries, Belgium and the Netherlands. Ultimately, however, the decision lies with the authorities of other countries, Biever said.

While not the sole reason, this strength contributes to the high popularity of the Luxembourgish passport among residents of distant countries who have a family connection to the Grand Duchy. In 2025 alone, for example, approximately 2,500 applications for Luxembourgish passports came from Brazil. Many applicants even travel to Luxembourg to collect their passport in person, as doing so through their local embassy would take longer. While in the country, many take the opportunity to visit the Grand Duchy and other parts of Europe.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds those planning to travel to faraway countries to register through "Lëtzebuerger am Ausland" (Luxembourgers Abroad) on MyGuichet. This registration makes it easier for authorities to provide assistance in the event of an emergency.