Requesting special authorisation to stay open late
Drinking establishments may request special authorisation to stay open past the usual opening hours for this type of establishment. Such authorisation is subject to a tax, which is due for each day on which the opening times are extended.
Set dates for late-night opening
To simplify the organisation of late-night opening events on certain recurring annual dates, the college of aldermen has decided that the opening times of drinking establishments may be extended until 3:00 during the following events or festivities:
- night of 9 to 10 February 2024 (Carnival weekend)
- night of 30 April to 1 May 2024 (Eve of Labour Day)
- night of 11 to 12 May 2024 (ING Night Marathon)
- night of 22 to 23 June 2024 (Eve of National Day)
- night of 31 August to 1 September 2024 (eve of "Schueberfouersonndeg")
- night of 31 October to 1 November 2024 (Halloween, eve of All Saints' Day)
- night of 31 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 (New Year's Eve)
One-off late-night opening
Aside from the set dates for late-night opening, special authorisation can be requested to extend an establishment's opening times for one-off events. These applications are handled by the Bierger-Center and the Secrétariat général (General Secretariat) of the City of Luxembourg.
Regular late-night opening hours
Establishments may request authorisation to stay open late on a regular basis. Such authorisation may be requested for one or more days per week, or even every day of the week (categories A and B). These applications are handled by the same departments as those for one-off late-opening authorisation.
As of January 2023, direct debit for regular late-night opening will once again be accepted.
To exercise this option, you must print the below request form (even if you used direct debit in the past).
If you wish to use direct debit for late-night opening, the completed original form must be sent by post to the City's Recette communale (3, rue du Laboratoire, L-1911 Luxembourg). Our Recette communale (City Treasury) will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this payment option (contact: recette@vdl.lu; 4796-2928).
Procedure and application form
Applications may be submitted by:
- taking the duly completed form to the Bierger-Center in person (Monday–Friday, 8:00–17:00); or
- faxing the duly completed form to: 47 36 53; or
- sending the duly completed form via email to the Secrétariat général of the City of Luxembourg (secretariat@vdl.lu).
The Secrétariat général then informs the applicant about whether their request has been approved or rejected. If it has been approved, they may go to the Bierger-Center to pay the appropriate tax and pick up their permit.
Application deadlines
Applications for late-night opening permits must be submitted:
- in the case of a one-off late-night opening event, at least five full working days before the planned event;
- in the case of regular late-night opening, two months before the first late-night opening event.
