Guidance

Travel to Liechtenstein for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Liechtenstein and how to get one if you do.

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
11 June 2021
Last updated
15 April 2024 — See all updates

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Liechtenstein’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Liechtenstein to work (or the EU, Switzerland, Norway or Iceland) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Liechtenstein is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

Liechtenstein’s authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with Liechtenstein’s embassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Liechtenstein. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Liechtenstein’s embassy or immigration authorities .

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

  • translated
  • ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
  • originals, or if copies are acceptable
  • signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
  • dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in Liechtenstein, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Liechtenstein’s authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to Liechtenstein for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:

  • business meetings and conferences
  • attending cultural or sports events
  • short-term studies or training
  • leisure travel, such as holidays or visiting friends or family

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

You need a permit for art or music tours, but there’s no specific entertainment permit. Check with the authorities which permit you should apply for.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

  • proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
  • health insurance that covers your stay
  • proof of accommodation for your entire stay
  • enough money for the duration of your trip
  • an invitation letter or training plan from your employer explaining your trip

Check Liechtenstein’s exemptions

Certain types of work and activities in Europe do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

Liechtenstein does not have any exempt activities. You’ll need to apply for a permit if you’re travelling to Liechtenstein for work.

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Liechtenstein’s embassy or immigration authorities .

Applying for a visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with Liechtenstein’s immigration authorities or embassy.

Taking your family

For the short-term permits in this guide your family will not be able to get dependant visas. They may be able to join you for up to 90 days under the Schengen visa waiver rules.

There may be different rules for taking families if you have a long-term residence permit. Find out about family reunification.

Short and long-term permits

You need a short-term permit if you’re providing services to a client in Liechtenstein for up to 8 days in a 90-day period. This includes employed and self-employed work.

The authorities in Liechtenstein usually define ‘providing a service’ as any paid-for work.

You need a short-term residence permit if you’re working for a company in Liechtenstein on a Liechtenstein contract for up to 1 year.

You need a long-term permit if you’re in Liechtenstein because you’re:

Long-term permits are valid for up to 1 year.

Providing short-term services to a client in Liechtenstein

You need a permit for cross-border provision of services If you’re carrying out paid work in Liechtenstein for up to 8 days in a 90-day period.

To qualify:

  • your employer, or you if self-employed, must be registered with Liechtenstein’s authorities to provide the service
  • you must keep your UK employment if you’re an employee
  • you need to meet minimum income requirements and employment conditions that apply to your field of work

This work permit usually takes between 1 to 4 weeks to get. It can take longer so you should apply well in advance. You cannot extend this permit.

How it works

You need to check with Liechtenstein’s embassy or consulate  on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer, or you if you’re self-employed email a signed permit application form and copy of your passport to the Immigration and Passport Office (APA) at bewilligungen.apa@llv.li. This should be done at least 2 working days before you start working.

  2. You must wait for approval before starting work.

Working short term for a company in Liechtenstein on a Liechtenstein contract

You need a short-term residence permit (L) if you have an employment offer from a company in Liechtenstein for up to 1 year.

To qualify you must:

  • have an employment offer from a Liechtenstein company
  • be placed on Liechtenstein payroll
  • be an executive, specialist or other qualified professional
  • have the required qualifications and several years’ professional experience
  • meet minimum salary requirements and employment conditions applicable to your area of work – check the required amount with the authorities as this may change over time

The L permit takes up to 28 days to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you cannot extend it.

If you have a family, they cannot join you as dependants with this permit type. They may be able to visit you under the Schengen visa waiver.

How it works

You need to check with Liechtenstein’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer completes a labour market test to check there are no suitable candidates in Liechtenstein for the position.

  2. Your employer submits your work permit application to the Immigration and Passport Office at least 14 days before you start working.

  3. You can enter Liechtenstein once your permit has been approved.

  4. You register your address with the local authorities within 8 days of arriving.

Application documents

Liechtenstein’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed application form
  • UK passport, valid for 6 months
  • employment contract
  • degree or other qualification certificates
  • criminal record check extract
  • confirmation from the labour office that no suitable candidate in Liechtenstein has been found for the position
  • proof you have enough money to support yourself
  • completed maintenance guarantor form
  • completed departure guarantor form

Working long term for a Liechtenstein company on a Liechtenstein contract

You need a residence permit (B) if you have an employment offer from a company in Liechtenstein for more than 1 year.

To qualify you must:

  • have an employment offer from a Liechtenstein company
  • be placed on Liechtenstein payroll
  • be an executive, specialist or other qualified professional
  • have the required qualifications and several years’ professional experience
  • meet minimum salary requirements and employment conditions applicable to your area of work – check the required amount with the authorities as this may change over time

A residence permit B takes up to 3 months to get. You can extend it for up to 5 years. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

If you have a family, they can join you as dependants with this permit. All family members must be registered at the same time. Find out about family reunification.

A spouse or registered partner must provide a German language certificate (level A1).

How it works

You need to check with Liechtenstein’s embassy or consulate on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer completes a labour market test to check there are no suitable candidates for the position in Liechtenstein.

  2. Your employer submits a work permit application to the Immigration and Passport Office at least 14 days before you start working.

  3. You can enter Liechtenstein once your permit has been approved.

  4. You register your address with the local authorities within 8 days of arriving.

Application documents

Liechtenstein’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed application form
  • UK passport, valid for 6 months
  • degree or other qualification certificate
  • employment contract
  • confirmation from the labour office that no suitable candidate in Liechtenstein has been found for the position
  • criminal record check extract
  • completed maintenance guarantor form
  • confirmation from Liechtenstein’s immigration and passport authorities (AMS FL) that no suitable in Liechtenstein have been found for the position
  • written explanation from your employer in Liechtenstein stating why they need to hire you

Investing in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein does not have a specific visa for investors. Visas for investment purposes are given out under exceptional circumstances and only if it is in the interest of the public.

You can apply to the Liechtenstein government for a visa. There’s no set application process. Authorities review applications on a case-by-case basis considering factors such as the:

  • type of business investment
  • amount to be invested
  • numbers of jobs that will be created

The visa is issued for up to 1 year and you can extend it.

If you wanted to take family members you would need to ask the Liechtenstein authorities.

Liechtenstein government guidance

Read official Lichtenstein government information on visas, work and residence permits and other services.

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check foreign travel advice, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

Updates to this page

Published 11 June 2021
Last updated 15 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Hyperlink updates were made to give English-language versions of webpages.

  2. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 11 September 2023.)

  3. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 21 July 2023).

  4. We've updated the process for applying to provide short-term services to a client in Liechtenstein. Applications can now be emailed to bewilligungen.apa@llv.li. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 22 March 2023).

  5. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 9 January 2023).

  6. Updated the section on investing in Liechtenstein - British citizens can no longer apply through the visa lottery process. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

  7. The maintenance guarantor form is now completed online. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

  8. Updated to clarify the position on art and music tours.

  9. First published.

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