Liechtenstein Special-interest residence

Residence permit for non-working foreign nationals of significant cultural, scientific or economic standing, backed by a guarantee from a bank based in Liechtenstein; the government decides quarterly. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of CHF 200 (≈ $240) · Fee for the first residence permit when issued by the Immigration and Passport Office; CHF 1,000 (≈ $1,200) when the Government issues it (Ausl-GebV Art. 10). ⁴
• A fee of CHF 30 (≈ $36) · Fee for recording biometric data for the residence card. ⁴
• A fee of CHF 20 (≈ $24) · Fee for producing the residence card. ⁴

Requirements

• The applicant has significant cultural, scientific or economic standing and is of special interest to the country; the law sets no measure or wealth threshold for this, and the permit may be granted at the government's discretion. ^{1 2}
• The applicant does not work in Liechtenstein; gainful employment can lead to revocation of the permit. ^{1 3}
• The applicant has no criminal conviction for a felony or misdemeanour. ¹
• Funds sufficient to avoid social assistance, proved by a guarantee from a bank based in Liechtenstein. ¹
• Proof of a suitable dwelling, such as a lease or land-register extract. ²
• Proof of statutory health insurance covering all risks in Liechtenstein. ²
• Valid passport, birth certificate, passport photograph and proof of income, pensions or assets and of debts. ²
• Apply to the Migration and Passport Office; the government decides on applications for residence without employment once a quarter. ^{3 1}
• Obtain an assurance of the permit or an authorisation to issue a visa; work may only start after it is received. ¹
• Total fees are CHF 1,060 (≈ $1,270) after a positive decision (assurance CHF 60 (≈ $72) and permit by the government CHF 1,000 (≈ $1,200)). ^{3 4}
• A negative decision costs CHF 80 (≈ $96). ³
• The permit is usually valid for one year and can be extended if the integration agreement is kept. ¹

Stay

• Usually one year; extendable.
• Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Applies to nationals of states other than EEA member states and Switzerland. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Gainful employment in Liechtenstein is prohibited.

Family

The spouse or registered partner and joint unmarried children under 18 (including adopted and foster children) can join once the holder has a residence or settlement permit, suitable housing and secure means or a Liechtenstein bank guarantee; the spouse abroad needs basic German.

Checked 2026-10-12 · partly verified

Official sources

1. Foreigners Act (Ausländergesetz, AuG), LGBl. 2008 No. 311, version of 12 June 2026 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
2. Ordinance on admission and residence of foreigners (ZAV), LGBl. 2008 No. 350 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
3. Issue of residence permit (B): residence without gainful employment · Migration and Passport Office, Liechtenstein National Administration · checked 2026-10-11
4. Ordinance on fees under foreigners law (Ausl-GebV), LGBl. 2011 No. 440 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
5. Citizenship Act (Buergerrechtsgesetz, BueG), LGBl. 1960 No. 23 · Liechtenstein legal portal (gesetze.li) · checked 2026-10-11