Craft Activities in Luxembourg: Lists A, B, C and the Brevet de Maîtrise
If you want to start a craft business (artisan) in Luxembourg, the qualification you need — a brevet de maîtrise in Luxembourg, a vocational diploma or experience, or nothing at all — depends on which list your activity is on. There are three lists — A, B, and C — set by grand-ducal regulation.
| List | Qualification needed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| List A | Master craftsman certificate (brevet de maîtrise) or equivalent | Electrician, plumber, baker, butcher, hairdresser, optician |
| List B | DAP (vocational diploma) or 3 years experience | Manicurist, jeweller, ice cream maker, florist, locksmith |
| List C | None | Clothing alterer, distiller, photographer, pet groomer, woodworker, ceramicist |
You always need a business permit (autorisation d’établissement) — even for List C activities where no qualification is required.
List A — the most regulated craft activities
List A covers craft activities that need real technical training. To get the business permit, you need ONE of:
- Brevet de maîtrise (master craftsman certificate) covering the activity, OR
- A bachelor’s degree covering the essential parts of the activity, OR
- A bachelor’s degree partially covering the activity + 1 year practice, OR
- A bachelor’s degree not directly covering the activity + 2 years practice, OR
- A previous List A business permit + 3 years experience, OR
- DAP/CAP + 6 years in a management role
List A is grouped into 5 sectors:
- Food — baker, pastry chef, butcher, caterer
- Health and fashion — optician, hearing aid specialist, hairdresser
- Mechanics — auto mechanic, gunsmith, body repair specialist
- Construction — electrician, carpenter, painter, roofer
- Multimedia — electronics installer
The brevet de maîtrise is the gold standard for List A. If you have it for your specific activity, no further evidence is needed.
List B — vocational diploma or 3 years experience
For List B, you need ONE of:
- A DAP (diplome d’aptitude professionnelle) — or an equivalent vocational diploma such as CAP or CATP — covering the activity or its essential parts, OR
- Three years of regular full-time professional practice in the activity, including knowledge of business management
List B is also grouped into sectors. Common examples:
- Food — ice cream maker, sausage producer, miller
- Fashion and health — manicurist, jeweller, dry cleaner, cobbler
- Mechanics — locksmith, blacksmith, sharpener
- Construction — landscaper, chimney sweep, window installer, cleaner
- Media — bookbinder, sound technician, instrument maker
- Materials — florist
Practical tip: If you do not have the diploma but have 3 years of relevant experience, gather your CCSS affiliation history (for Luxembourg work) or EC certificate of professional experience (for EU work). The Ministry will use these to verify your experience.
List C — no qualification needed
For List C, no professional qualification is required. You just need the business permit (with the standard 4 criteria).
Common List C activities:
- Food — distiller, brewer
- Fashion — clothing alterer, presser, tattooist, pet groomer
- Services — vehicle cleaner, taxi/ambulance rental, domestic helper
- Media and entertainment — photographer, camera operator, sound producer
- Artistic crafts — woodworker, metalworker, glassblower, ceramicist
List C does NOT mean “anything goes.” You still need:
- A business permit (50 EUR fee)
- Clean professional integrity (criminal record + sworn declaration)
- Fixed premises in Luxembourg
- Effective day-to-day management
We covered List C in more depth in our article on activities that need no qualification.
Foreign diplomas — getting them recognised
If your diploma is from another country, you must have it formally recognised before applying for the business permit. Recognition is handled by MESR (Ministère de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement supérieur), not the Ministry of Economy:
- EU/EEA diplomas — mutual recognition rules often apply (faster process)
- Non-EU diplomas — case-by-case assessment, may require additional training
Apply via mesr.gouvernement.lu.
Without recognised qualifications, your business permit application for a List A or List B activity will be refused. Start the recognition process before applying.
How to register with the Chambre des Métiers
After your business permit is granted, you must register with the Chambre des Métiers (cdm.lu). This is not automatic — you need to download and submit the affiliation form yourself from cdm.lu.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 3 craft lists — which is which? | A = highly regulated (master cert), B = vocational diploma or 3 years, C = no qualification |
| List A example | Electrician, hairdresser, baker |
| List B example | Manicurist, jeweller, florist |
| List C example | Pet groomer, tattooist, ceramicist |
| Need a business permit for List C? | Yes — qualification is the only thing waived |
| Foreign diploma — what to do? | Get it recognised by MESR before applying |
| Where to register? | Business permit via Ministry of Economy; Chambre des Métiers registration via affiliation form on cdm.lu (not automatic) |
For the full picture of business permits, see our article on the 4 criteria for a business permit.
Earning your living on your own terms deserves a bravo. We see you, and we’re cheering you on.
💜💙 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 modifiée du 28 octobre 2016 (reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles), Chambre des Métiers, Guichet LU — Autorisation d'établissement, Guichet LU — Métiers de l'artisanat de la liste A, Guichet LU — Métier de l’artisanat de la liste B, Guichet LU — Métiers de l'artisanat de la liste C, MESR — Ministère de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement supérieur.
