What Luxembourg says: a child travelling with only one parent, their father or their mother, does not, in principle, need a parental consent certificate. guichet.lu adds that this varies with the country you visit and how you travel (car, plane and so on).
A parental authorisation may be needed when a child travels:
– alone
– with adults who are not their legal guardians, such as grandparents or friends
– with a parent who does not have parental authority
In Luxembourg, the parental consent certificate comes from the population office of your commune or the child’s commune. A parent with parental authority, or the legal guardian, goes in person, because the signature has to be witnessed. Bring valid ID and give the departure and return dates, the destination (country and city) and the name of the adult travelling with the child. The commune charges a chancellery fee. During the trip the child carries the certificate together with their own valid ID.
What the destination may require: every child needs their own valid passport or ID card. Each EU country decides whether a child travelling alone, with other adults or with only one parent needs an official authorisation from their parents, and countries you only pass through can ask for one too. Many airlines have their own forms.
Before you book, check:
– the embassy or consulate of your destination and of any transit country
– the authorities of the country you leave from, if you live outside Luxembourg
– your airline
For a Luxembourg passport or ID card for your child, see the passport question in this FAQ.