Study Guide for the Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa

Written by Volare | May 20, 2026

When planning your trip to the Grand Duchy, it is common to wonder if you need university degrees or to know languages perfectly. The Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa (WHV) has very specific regulations regarding academic and linguistic requirements when applying, as well as clear rules about what you can study once you are in the country. Below, we detail it for you.

1. Language Requirements: Must I take an exam?

Unlike other visas or naturalization processes, the State of Luxembourg does not require the submission of a formal language proficiency certificate (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or the official Sproochentest) to approve your visa.

However, there is an unavoidable linguistic requirement in the documentary phase: the signed cover letter and the curriculum vitae (we suggest using the European Union Europass format) must be mandatorily submitted in one of the accepted vehicular languages, which are French, English, or German.

Furthermore, although your level is not evaluated through a standardized test by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, having a good command of at least one of these three languages is fundamental in practice. This will allow you to successfully enter the country's trilingual and international labor market during your 12 months of temporary stay.

2. Academic Requirements according to your Nationality

The requirements for previous studies vary radically depending on the passport you apply with, due to the specific bilateral agreements signed by Luxembourg.

For Australia: Strict academic filter

The agreement imposes a mandatory requirement. The Australian applicant must prove that they possess a higher education degree (tertiary qualification) or, alternatively, have successfully completed a minimum of two (2) years of undergraduate university studies. When applying for the visa, it is imperative to submit a copy of the diploma or the official academic transcript (transcripts).

For Canada, Chile, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan

The Grand Duchy does not require any minimum educational level for these citizens. No academic degrees, diplomas, or school certificates are required. Any young person of these nationalities who meets the general age and funds requirements can apply freely.

Procedural exception for Canada: As a variant, the treaty with Canada additionally allows the participation of students who wish to carry out professional internships with a pre-established agreement, or recent graduates who already have a signed employment contract for their stay. However, this is optional and does not void the general pathway that exempts Canadians from minimum studies.

3. Can I study or do internships in Luxembourg?

Yes. The regulations stipulate that participants have the right to register for studies or formative internships, but with certain limitations:

• Main purpose: The primary objective of your stay must remain the vacation and cultural discovery. Study or professional training are considered strictly complementary activities.

• Duration limit: The academic programs, language courses, or internships you enroll in cannot span the entirety of the visa uninterruptedly (it does not work as a formal student visa). They must remain within a short or medium time limit that is compatible with the total 12 months of permitted stay.

To ensure you have the appropriate support and the most detailed information at every step of your application, we recommend consulting the complete guide on Volare's Luxembourg Working Holiday Visa (WHV).