Work and residence permits
Liechtenstein offers the same number of jobs as the country has inhabitants. For this reason, companies based in Liechtenstein are often dependent on foreign employees. Recruitment, particularly from neighbouring areas of foreign countries, is not difficult to arrange.
Over half of all jobs in Liechtenstein are performed by people who are resident abroad. International commuters from Austria, Switzerland or southern Germany are an integral part of Liechtenstein, just like the Princely House. As a rule, it is generally possible to recruit the necessary specialists from this cross-border pool of qualified workers.
Work permits: Appointment of foreign employees
International commuters are employees who, as a rule, commute between their place of residence and their place of work and return to their homes outside Liechtenstein on a daily basis. Persons who work as carers or in the hotel or catering industry, within the context of a contract of employment where they are required to take rest periods, may be exempted from the obligation to return to their place of residence. These persons must return to their place of residence in the EEA or in Switzerland at least once per week.
A distinction is made between Swiss citizens, citizens of an EEA state or citizens of third-party states. In the case of Swiss citizens who are international commuters in a non-self-employed position, there are no reporting or licensing obligations pursuant to legislation concerning aliens. Employees from EEA states (information about the EEA and its member states is available here), by contrast, must be registered with the Migration and Passport Office at the latest within ten days of their commencing work. The employer will then be issued a so-called international commuter confirmation. An international commuter permit is required for citizens of third-party states. This is valid for one year, and is likewise issued by the Migration and Passport Office. It is necessary to demonstrate in this conjunction that no suitable employee could be found on the labour market that is not subject to licensing requirements. The fully completed application must then be submitted to the Migration and Passport Office at the latest 14 days before the planned start of the position of employment. The position of employment may be taken up only after the permit has been issued.
The law governing residency in Liechtenstein
Despite its EEA membership, a special exemption means that Liechtenstein is able to limit the number of immigrants using annual quotas. 72 residence permits are issued to EEA citizens each year, whereby 56 are issued to persons who are engaged in gainful employment and 16 to persons who are not engaged in gainful employment. One half of these permits are issued by drawing lots, while the other half is issued directly by the National Government. 17 residence permits are issued to Swiss citizens each year, twelve of which to persons who are engaged in gainful employment and five to persons who are not engaged in gainful employment. These permits are not issued by drawing lots. Instead, they are issued directly by the National Government. Residence permits for citizens of third-party states may be issued only to managers, specialists or other qualified workers who have completed occupational training or who have long-standing professional experience.
As a rule, a residence permit is valid for five years (one year for citizens of a third-party state). After five years, residence permit holders may apply for long-term or permanent residency, provided that all conditions are fulfilled.