Business Activities That Need No Qualification in Luxembourg
Many business activities in Luxembourg require no specific diploma or professional qualification to get started. You still need a business permit (autorisation d’établissement), but you don’t need to prove a degree, certificate, or years of experience for the activity itself.
This is good news for freelancers, consultants, online sellers, and many service providers.
Activities that need no qualification
The following commercial activities can be started without any specific professional qualification:
- Trading — buying and selling products of any type
- E-commerce — online shops, marketplace selling
- IT and software — web development, app development, software engineering
- Consulting — IT, marketing, management, business, strategy
- Coaching — life coaching, sports coaching, yoga, wellness
- Training and teaching — courses, workshops, tutoring
- Marketing and communication — digital marketing, social media, PR
- Graphic design — visual design, branding, illustration
- Translation and interpreting
- Data analysis
- Event management
- Logistics
- Industry-based businesses
This list is not exhaustive. As a general rule: if your activity is not on the list of regulated professions (liberal professions, crafts requiring a master certificate, HORECA, transport, real estate), you likely don’t need a specific qualification.
Do you need a licence? Yes — a business permit
“No qualification required” does not mean “no registration required.” You still need a business permit, and you still need to meet 3 of the 4 criteria that apply to every business permit in Luxembourg:
- Physical establishment in Luxembourg — your business must have a physical address in Luxembourg with infrastructure suitable for the activity. EU/EEA nationals do not need to live in Luxembourg, but the business must be based there. Non-EU nationals must also apply for a residence permit (autorisation de séjour)
- Clean professional reputation — no convictions for serious offences, sworn declaration of prior management roles in the last 3 years (Article 28 declaration), criminal records from countries you lived in the past 10 years
- Effective management — you must personally manage the day-to-day operations of your business and be physically present at the establishment
- Professional qualification — not applicable to your activity (this is the criterion you skip when your activity is on the no-qualification list above)
For the full picture of how each of the 4 criteria works, see our deep-dive on the 4 criteria for a business permit.
Practical tip: Just because no qualification is needed doesn’t mean you can start working immediately. You still need to apply for the business permit, register with CCSS, and potentially register for VAT. Budget 1-2 months for the full process.
What does require a qualification?
For comparison, here are the activity types that DO need specific qualifications or certificates:
| Activity type | Qualification needed | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal professions (architect, accountant, engineer, etc.) | Specific diploma + professional body membership | Guichet.lu |
| Craft activities — List A (hairdresser, baker, electrician, etc.) | Master certificate OR DAP + 6 years in a management role | Chambre des Métiers (cdm.lu) |
| Craft activities — List B (manicurist, florist, etc.) | Vocational diploma OR 3 years experience | Chambre des Métiers (cdm.lu) |
| Craft activities — List C (pet groomer, etc.) | No qualification needed | Chambre des Métiers (cdm.lu) |
| HORECA (restaurant, hotel, bar, etc.) | HORECA certificate OR 1 year experience OR previous permit | House of Training (houseoftraining.lu) |
| Transport (goods over 3.5 t, international goods 2.5–3.5 t, or more than 9 passenger seats) | Certificate of access + financial guarantee | House of Training (houseoftraining.lu) |
| Real estate (agent, broker, developer) | Certificate of access + liability insurance | House of Training (houseoftraining.lu) |
If your activity falls between two categories or you’re not sure, contact the House of Entrepreneurship (houseofentrepreneurship.lu) for free guidance before you apply. Getting the classification wrong can delay your permit.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a diploma for IT consulting? | No |
| Do I need a diploma for e-commerce? | No |
| Do I need a diploma for coaching/training? | No |
| Do I still need a business permit? | Yes — always |
| Do I still need to register with CCSS? | Yes — always |
| Where do I apply? | Through the business permit procedure on Guichet.lu (Ministry of Economy) |
| How long does the permit take? | Up to 3 months legal maximum (often 1-4 weeks in practice). See how to apply for a business permit for the detailed procedure |
Here’s to everyone who chose to create something of their own — your courage makes the economy better for all of us.
💜💙 Your BravoLisa Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional tax, legal, or accounting advice. Every situation is different — consult a qualified professional (tax adviser, accountant, or lawyer) for advice specific to your circumstances. BravoLisa does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information.
Legilux — Loi du 2 septembre 2011 (droit d'établissement), Guichet LU — Autorisation d'établissement, Chambre de Commerce, Guichet LU — Métier de l’artisanat de la liste B, Guichet LU — Métiers de l'artisanat de la liste C, Guichet LU — Transport national de marchandises par route avec des véhicules de moins de 3,5 tonnes, Guichet LU — Transport international de marchandises par route avec des véhicules entre 2,5 et 3,5 tonnes, Guichet LU — Transport international de marchandises par route avec des véhicules de plus de 3,5 tonnes, Guichet LU — Transport international de voyageurs par route, Guichet LU — Exploitant d’un débit de boissons et d’un établissement de restauration, Guichet LU — Métiers de l'artisanat de la liste A.
