Residing in Liechtenstein

With the exception of tourist visits not longer than 3 months, any stay in Liechtenstein requires a permit. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) have the right to reside in Liechtenstein only subject to the quotas set out in a bilateral agreement.

EEA citizens

Half of the residence permits issued each year is allocated by a lottery; the other half is granted by the Government, either for the purpose of work to economically active persons (at least 56 per year)or for the purpose of residence without work to economically non- active persons (at least 16 per year).

The awarded residence permit in principle entails the right for a spouse and children under the age of 21 to reside in Liechtenstein as well.

Swiss citizens

All residence permits issued each year are granted by the Government, either for the purpose of work to economically active persons (at least 12 per year) or for the purpose of residence without work to economically non- active persons (at least 5 per year).

The awarded residence permit in principle entails the right for a spouse and children under the age of 21 to reside in Liechtenstein as well.

Citizens of third countries (citizens of countries with which Liechtenstein has not concluded a bilateral migration treaty)

Liechtenstein in principle has no obligation to grant residence permits. Nevertheless, citizens of third countries may be granted residence permits either for the purpose of non-self-employed work and for the purpose of residence without work to economically non- active persons.

The Government is guided by national economic considerations in this regard; it has the possibility of granting residence permits to persons of particular interest to the country (article 20 of the Foreigners Act) or on grounds of important public interests (article 21 of the Foreigners Act).

The awarded residence permit in principle entails the right for a spouse and joint single children under the age of 18 to reside in Liechtenstein as well.

Applications for the purpose of work and for the purpose of residence without work must be directed to the Office for Migration and Passports (Ausländer- und Passamt), which passes the requests to the Liechtenstein government for decision taking on a monthly base, or applications for residence without work on a quarterly base respectively.