Work permits in Liechtenstein
These regulations apply to residence or taking up residence for gainful employment. In the case of taking up residence without gainful employment, other regulations and conditions apply.
Employees domiciled in Switzerland are not generally required to register.
This does not apply to professions that may only be practised with a state permit, such as in the health and education sectors, in the commercial sector (if self-employment is the aim) and in selected professions (lawyer, trustee, auditor, patent attorney). This applies regardless of nationality. Apprenticeships for trainees are also reserved. These may only be offered by employers who have a corresponding training permit.
Swiss commuters resident in Switzerland are free to take up employment in Liechtenstein. They do not need a foreign police permit before taking up employment and the employer does not have to comply with any registration requirements. Exceptions are professions that can only be practiced with a state permit.
Swiss employees continue to pay income tax at their place of residence. Employees in the public sector are exempt from this.
If a person with EEA citizenship takes up employment or self-employment, no permit is required. However, the commencement of employment must be reported.
The employer is obliged to notify the Foreigners and Passport Office of the employment within ten days of commencing work at the latest. The employee will then be issued with a so-called cross-border commuter registration confirmation (GMB). This confirmation is limited in time and must be reissued after 5 or 10 years. In addition, EEA nationals who work in Liechtenstein will have income tax deducted from their salary. EEA nationals are citizens of a country belonging to the European Economic Area.
EEA frontier workers must have their place of residence in the EEA and return to their EEA place of residence outside Liechtenstein every day. Persons who work as caregivers or in the hospitality industry under an employment contract with room hours may be exempt from the obligation to return to their place of residence. These persons must return to their place of residence in the EEA at least once a week.
eGMB: the cross-border commuter registration confirmation can now also be provided digitally via the eID.li app. You can find more information about the eGMB here.
Special regulation for cross-border commuters from Austria
The above-mentioned obligation to register also applies to cross-border commuters from Austria, but Austrian cross-border commuters can be exempted from compulsory health insurance in Liechtenstein on application as long as they live in Austria and can prove that they are entitled to statutory or equivalent health insurance there. This also applies to their family members who are not gainfully employed.
Different conditions apply to third-country nationals depending on their place of residence.
Third-country nationals resident in the EEA or Switzerland require a so-called cross-border commuter permit (G) before taking up employment. This permit, which is limited to one year, is only issued by the Immigration and Passport Office if special conditions are met. For example, it must be proven that no suitable skilled worker can be found on the permit-free labor market. The completed application must be submitted to the Immigration and Passport Office at least 14 days before the planned start of employment. The job can only be taken up after the permit has been issued. Income tax is deducted from the salary of third-country nationals working in Liechtenstein.
Third-country nationals residing outside the border area or outside Switzerland or the EEA require a residence permit (L or B) before taking up employment. This permit must be requested in letter form (BiB) and can only be issued to managers, specialists and other qualified employees who have completed an apprenticeship or have many years of professional experience (economic interest). Furthermore, applicants must not have a criminal record, must have sufficient financial resources and appropriate language skills and can be expected to be willing to adapt and integrate into the world of work and society. The completed application must be submitted to the Foreigners and Passport Office at least 14 days before the planned start of employment. The job can only be started after the permit has been issued. Decisions on complete applications are generally made within three months of receipt.
The short-term residence permit L entitles the holder to stay in Liechtenstein for less than 12 months and can be extended once for a maximum of 6 months upon proof of extraordinary need.
The residence permit B entitles the holder to reside in Liechtenstein for more than 12 months and can be extended provided the integration agreement is complied with and there are no grounds for revocation or deportation. Managers and specialists can obtain a residence permit for up to 3 years if they are employed by an internationally active company with a business establishment in Liechtenstein. The granting of B permits is very restrictive.
Form for taking up employment and residence in Liechtenstein
Form for issuing the residence permit
Persons with Swiss or EEA citizenship who are gainfully employed in Liechtenstein and do not live in the immediate border area and are therefore unable to return to their place of residence on a daily basis require a residence permit (L or B).
This permit must be requested in letter form (BiB) and can only be issued to managers, specialists and other qualified employees who have completed an apprenticeship or have many years of professional experience. The completed application must be submitted to the Immigration and Passport Office at least 14 days before the planned start of employment. The job can only be taken up after the permit has been issued. Decisions on complete applications are generally made within three months of receipt.
The short-term residence permit L entitles the holder to reside in Liechtenstein for less than 12 months and can be extended once for a maximum of 6 months if an exceptional need is proven. The prerequisite is an employment contract for a maximum of one year at an appropriate level of employment. In addition, the professional and commercial law requirements for the intended self-employed activity must be met.
The B residence permit entitles the holder to reside in Liechtenstein for more than 12 months up to a maximum of 5 years. The granting of B permits is very restrictive. In the case of a positive decision, the costs amount to CHF 1060, in the case of a negative decision to the basic lump sum of CHF 80. The corresponding payment receipt for the basic lump sum must be enclosed with the application documents.
A decision on complete applications from persons with Swiss or EEA citizenship is generally made within four weeks of receipt.
Form for taking up employment with residence in Liechtenstein
Persons who work as care workers or in the hospitality industry under an employment contract with room hours may be exempt from the obligation to return to their place of residence. These persons must return to their place of residence in the EEA or Switzerland at least once a week.
In principle, all nationals are entitled to take up an au pair position in Liechtenstein. However, the following conditions apply:
On the part of the au pair
- Basic knowledge of the German language (for other nationals)
- A German language course is compulsory, the costs are borne by the host family
- Minimum age: 18 years, maximum age: 25 years
On the part of the host family
- The colloquial language in the family is German and at least one family member's mother tongue is German
- At least one minor child must live in the household (grandchildren, nephews or nieces are not taken into account)
- Au pairs must be insured against illness and accidents with a Liechtenstein insurance company, the costs of which are borne by the host family
- Au pair employees must be cared for by a parent for at least half of their working hours. If there are two adults in the household, a maximum of 150% employment is permitted.
- The au pair must be provided with accommodation (single room) and meals
Exclusion criteria
- There is a family relationship between the au pair and the host family
- The same mother tongue is spoken
- Employment in nursing, geriatric or animal care or as a worker in households and agriculture
Further conditions
- The au pair stay must last at least six months, but no longer than 12 months
- In accordance with the government decree of September 5, 2006, the minimum gross salary for a 30-hour week is CHF 1835. For a shorter working week, the gross salary is calculated on a pro rata basis of CHF 1835. The net salary may not be less than CHF 700.
- The complete application must be submitted to the Immigration and Passport Office at least 14 days before the planned start of the au pair position. For persons who are subject to visa requirements, we recommend submitting the application four weeks before the start of the job so that the planned entry date can be met.
