Frequently Asked Questions

The history of the State Intelligence Service (Service de Renseignement de l'État, or SRE) dates back to 1960. Luxembourg's membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led to the creation of its first intelligence service on 30 July 1960, in the context of the Cold War.

Since then, the Service's mandate, operational methods, resources, and oversight mechanisms have evolved to reflect the security environment, technological developments, and the legal framework.

The Law of 15 June 2004 reformed the Service with the aim of modernising its missions, adapting them to emerging threats, and better defining the resources at its disposal, staffing, and access to information. This law introduced certain operational procedures while maintaining the level of secrecy required for the Service’s missions. It also established parliamentary oversight, complementing the judicial and governmental controls already in place.

The law of 5 July 2016 is largely based on the recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry committee on the State Intelligence Service, published in its report of 5 July 2013. Building on lessons of the past, its purpose was to provide a restructured intelligence service with a clear and modern legal basis, and with resources consistent with the operational, democratic and legal requirements of the rule of law. The 2016 legislation established a national intelligence service with a clearly defined mandate and appropriate supervision mechanisms and procedures.

For more details, see "History of the SRE".

The SRE operates under the direct authority of the member of Government responsible for State intelligence matters, namely the Prime Minister.

No. The SRE is not a secret police force, and its staff members have no police powers.

Its role is focused on anticipating and preventing threats to national security.

The SRE works closely with the judicial authorities, the Grand Ducal Police and national administrations, and shares with them information relating to threats against national security.

SRE staff members must exercise discretion and refrain from discussing their work with individuals who do not have a need-to-know. In carrying out their duties, staff members handle classified information relating to national security, the security of foreign States, or international and supranational organisations. The SRE Act prohibits current and former staff members from disclosing, without prior authorisation, any confidential information obtained in the course of their duties. Failure to comply may result in a prison sentence of 8 days to 6 months and a fine ranging from 500 to 5,000 euros. Any unauthorised disclosure of such information could compromise the security of Luxembourg or a partner State, damage Luxembourg's international relations, or harm the country's scientific or economic potential.

The operational activities carried out by the SRE to collect information on individuals or subjects of interest – including the tools and techniques used – must be strictly protected from hostile States or other malicious actors. If such actors were aware of these methods, they could exploit this knowledge for their own purposes, to the detriment of Luxembourg’s national interests and security.

The SRE carries out its mission in situations where a threat – or potential threat – to national security exists. This includes activities that may jeopardise:

• the independence and sovereignty of the State;
• the security and proper functioning of institutions;
• fundamental rights, civil liberties, and the safety of individuals and property;
• the country's scientific and technological capabilities;
• the nation's economic interests;
• the security of foreign States or of international and supranational organisations with which Luxembourg has concluded agreements.

The law clearly defines the types of potential threats to national security, including:

• espionage and interference;
• violent extremism;
• terrorism;
• the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or defence-related products and technologies;
• organised crime and cyber threats, insofar as they are linked to any of the above-mentioned threats.

The activities of the SRE and its thematic priorities are set out in a mission statement prepared by the Ministerial Intelligence Committee, on the proposal of the Prime Minister.

This mission statement is updated regularly – at least once a year – and is transmitted to the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for information.

The activities of the SRE are monitored at four levels:

1. Political level: The Ministerial Intelligence Committee sets the overall intelligence policy, determines strategic guidelines and oversees the SRE's activities.
2. Administrative level: The Government appoints a delegate to the SRE, who oversees the internal functioning of the Service and reports regularly to the Prime Minister.
3. Judicial level: A Special Commission composed of three sitting judges authorises certain information-gathering measures before they can be carried out (for example, if the SRE seeks to conduct communications interception).
4. Parliamentary level: The Parliamentary Oversight Committee for the State Intelligence Service, whose composition is defined in the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Deputies, monitors all SRE activities and receives regular briefings.

The Court of Auditors is responsible for auditing the financial management of the SRE.

The National Commission for Data Protection ensures that the SRE complies with the legal requirements pursuant to Article 39 of the law of August 1, 2018, on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data in the scope of criminal matters and national security.

• the independence and sovereignty of the State;
• the security and proper functioning of institutions;
• fundamental rights, civil liberties, and the safety of individuals and property;
• the country's scientific and technological capabilities;
• the nation's economic interests;
• the security of foreign States or of international and supranational organisations with which Luxembourg has concluded agreements.

In the context of SRE investigations, the conditions for conducting, for example, telephone interception are strictly regulated by the Law of 5 July 2016 on the reorganisation of the SRE. The use of such special information-gathering methods requires prior authorisation from several oversight bodies (see "Oversight of the SRE").

The law is very clear on this point: domestic political surveillance is expressly excluded from the SRE's mandate.

At the international level, the State Intelligence Service (SRE) cooperates with numerous European and international partners. This exchange of information enables a more accurate understanding of the global security situation and of hostile activities originating abroad.

Such cooperation goes beyond the simple exchange of information. In the field of counter-terrorism in particular, multilateral cooperation has become increasingly operational. In Europe, for instance, intelligence officers share information in real time and develop joint approaches to combat specific threats. This multilateral cooperation has led to the arrest of terrorists and has helped to prevent violent attacks.

A security clearance is legally required when a person holds a position or function in which they need access to information protected by a classification ranging from "RESTRICTED" to "TOP SECRET". "Classified information" refers to sensitive information whose unauthorised disclosure could endanger the security of Luxembourg or of a partner state, harm Luxembourg’s international relations, or jeopardise its scientific and economic potential.

Depending on their level of sensitivity, classified materials are categorised into specific levels of confidentiality. The level of classification also determines the physical security and access-control measures required to protect the information.

In Luxembourg, the classification system has four levels:

• LUX TOP SECRET
• LUX SECRET
• LUX CONFIDENTIAL
• LUX RESTRICTED

To access classified information, two conditions must be met:

• The individual must hold a security clearance at a level at least equivalent to that of the document concerned. For example, a document classified "LUX TOP SECRET" may only be accessed by a person holding a "LUX TOP SECRET" clearance.
• The individual must have a "need-to-know", meaning a legitimate requirement to access or possess the information in order to perform their duties or fulfil their official functions.

At European and international levels, additional categories of classification also exist.

Legal references: Amended law of June 15, 2004 on the classification of documents and security clearances (in French).

In Luxembourg, security clearances are issued by the National Security Authority (Autorité nationale de sécurité, ANS) following a security vetting process, and once the clearance has been signed by the Prime Minister.

The purpose of the security vetting is to verify that the applicant provides sufficient guarantees of discretion, loyalty, and integrity to be able to access and handle classified information.

Clearances may also be granted to legal entities, such as private companies, when they provide sufficient guarantees as to the material and technical means and methods for protecting classified information, and as to the discretion, loyalty, and integrity of the bodies likely to have access to classified information.

Responsible authority for security clearances:

National Security Authority - Autorité nationale de sécurité (ANS)

Tel.: +352 247 88232

habilitations@ans.etat.lu

The world of intelligence is both fascinating and demanding.

Working for the SRE means:

• contributing your skills and commitment to national security;
• joining a diverse team with a wide range of professional backgrounds;
• evolving within a dynamic, internationally-oriented environment;
• benefiting from continuous professional development opportunities throughout your career.

For details about current vacancies and entry requirements, see GovJobs.lu.

Are you interested in new technologies, history, geopolitics, languages, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence?

Do you have a background in IT, law, data science, or translation?

Do you possess strong analytical and writing skills?

The SRE seeks a wide variety of profiles – both generalist and highly technical – including linguists and support staff such as HR or archives officers.

The SRE recruits qualified individuals who demonstrate genuine interest and willingness to contribute to national security. To work in intelligence, integrity, professionalism, emotional stability, initiative, and teamwork are essential. In addition, discretion and flexibility are indispensable.

The SRE values diversity. A deep understanding of different cultures and languages is vital to its mission.

For details about current vacancies, see GovJobs.lu.

Vacancies and recruitment conditions are published on the GovJobs.lu public service portal. Applications must be submitted via GovJobs.lu.

For any questions about recruitment or current vacancies, contact the SRE at: sre_rh@me.etat.lu

If you apply to the SRE, exercise discretion and do not discuss your application with third parties.

In the performance of their duties, SRE officers have access to classified information. Every person working for the SRE must therefore hold a valid security clearance. To obtain it, candidates must undergo a vetting process before joining the service. The purpose of the security vetting is to determine whether the applicant offers sufficient guarantees of discretion, loyalty, and integrity to handle classified information.

This process is an integral part of the recruitment procedure and may take several months depending on the circumstances.

Do you have information that could be of interest to the SRE – for example, relating to terrorism, violent extremism, or espionage?

Do you believe you have been approached by a foreign intelligence service?

Would you like to report a situation involving violent radicalisation?

In that case, you may complete our online contact form or write to info@me.etat.lu.

Please include in your message:

• your full name;
• your employer or organisation (if applicable);
• a description of the situation or the information you wish to share;
• a phone number if you wish to be contacted by the SRE.

All information provided is treated in strict confidence.

The government plan "VIGILNAT" is central to the Luxembourg’s national security framework for protection against terrorist threats. It is designed as a tool for the ongoing assessment and identification of the terrorist threat. The possibility of a terrorist attack is therefore constantly subject to evaluation. Under the VIGILNAT plan, the terrorist threat level is defined on a four-level scale. The severity and likelihood of a potential attack determine the level of the threat:

• Level 1 – LOW: when a terrorist threat is considered possible but improbable.
• Level 2 – MEDIUM: when a terrorist threat is considered real but undefined.
• Level 3 – SERIOUS: when a terrorist threat is considered probable and concrete.
• Level 4 – VERY SERIOUS: when a terrorist threat is considered concrete and imminent, or if a terrorist attack has already been committed.

For the most recent information regarding the national threat level, please visit infocrise.public.lu