Business permit for a craft trade in Luxembourg
Published on 10 October 2026 · Updated on 10 October 2026
In short
A craft business permit in Luxembourg is the business permit required to practise a skilled trade. Crafts fall into three lists: list A requires a master craftsman diploma or equivalent, list B a DAP, CATP or CAP in the trade or 3 years of practice, and list C no qualification. All require good repute and premises in Luxembourg.
The three lists
| List | Qualification | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A, main trades | Master craftsman diploma, a bachelor in the field, or a DAP/CATP with 6 years in a managerial role, among other routes | Baker, hairdresser, electrician, joiner, mechanic |
| B, secondary trades | DAP, CATP or CAP in the trade, or 3 years of full-time practice with management knowledge | Secondary trades of the six list B groups |
| C | No professional qualification | Photographer, tattoo artist, pet groomer, designer, clothing alterations |
List A: trades by group
- Food: baker-pastry chef, butcher, caterer.
- Fashion, health, hygiene: optician-optometrist, hearing aid specialist, dental technician, orthopaedic shoemaker and bandage maker, hairdresser, beautician, swimming instructor.
- Mechanics: mechanic, gunsmith, mechatronics technician, body repairer, coil winder, driving school, motor vehicle expert.
- Construction: building and civil engineering contractor, insulation and waterproofing, heating-plumbing-refrigeration, electrician, joiner-cabinetmaker, metal construction, lift installer, carpenter-roofer-tinsmith, tiler-marble worker-stonecutter, painter-plasterer-facade worker.
- Communication: electronic equipment installer.
List A: qualification routes
- Master craftsman diploma in the trade.
- Bachelor in the field.
- Partly related bachelor and 1 year of practice.
- Unrelated bachelor and 2 years of practice.
- Permit for a neighbouring list A trade and 3 years of practice.
- DAP, CATP or CAP and 6 years in a managerial role.
Experience is proven by an EC certificate for an activity carried out in another EU country, or by a CCSS affiliation certificate for an activity in Luxembourg.
Next step
Frequently asked questions
Is my foreign diploma recognised for a craft business permit?
A qualification obtained in another EU country can be recognised, and experience gained there is proven by an EC certificate. We check how your diploma matches the targeted trade before the file is submitted to the ministry, so that the qualification is assessed against the right trade.
Can one person manage several craft businesses?
One person cannot manage more than two list A or list B businesses outside the same group, unless they hold at least 25% of each. This limit is checked before a new permit application, as it affects who can be named manager.