---
title: "Liechtenstein Special-interest residence requirements 2026"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/special-interest-residence/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Liechtenstein · Talent schemes

# Liechtenstein Special-interest residence

**First stay:** 1 yr

Residence without gainful employment for persons of special interest (Art. 20 AuG)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 1 yr (Usually one year; extendable.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Applies to nationals of states other than EEA member states and Switzerland.)
- **Work:** No (Gainful employment in Liechtenstein is prohibited.)
- **Family:** Family can join (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.)

## Key facts

Special-interest residence is a talent schemes route for Liechtenstein. You can't take local work. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** CHF 200 ≈ $240 · +2 more
- **First stay:** 1 yr

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: CHF 200 ≈ $240 · +2 more**

- 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).
- CHF 30 (≈ $36) Fee for recording biometric data for the residence card.
- CHF 20 (≈ $24) Fee for producing the residence card.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Usually granted for one year and extendable.

[Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2008311000)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

A settlement permit can be granted after 5 uninterrupted years on a residence permit, with a civics test, German in speech and writing, and secure income.

[Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2008311000)

**Citizenship: After 30 years of residence**

Ordinary naturalisation needs 30 years of ordinary residence in Liechtenstein (years from birth to age 20 count double), the last 5 years continuous, and renunciation of other citizenship.

[Liechtenstein legal portal](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/1960023000)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Work isn't allowed on this route
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- 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.
- The applicant does not work in Liechtenstein; gainful employment can lead to revocation of the permit.
- The applicant has no criminal conviction for a felony or misdemeanour.

#### What you must show

- Funds sufficient to avoid social assistance, proved by a guarantee from a bank based in Liechtenstein.

#### Documents

- Proof of a suitable dwelling, such as a lease or land-register extract.
- Proof of statutory health insurance covering all risks in Liechtenstein.
- Valid passport, birth certificate, passport photograph and proof of income, pensions or assets and of debts.

#### Steps

1. Apply to the Migration and Passport Office; the government decides on applications for residence without employment once a quarter.
2. Obtain an assurance of the permit or an authorisation to issue a visa; work may only start after it is received.
3. 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)).
4. A negative decision costs CHF 80 (≈ $96).

#### After you arrive

- The permit is usually valid for one year and can be extended if the integration agreement is kept.

## When you become tax resident

How Liechtenstein decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **1 year at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** Domicile is the place where a person stays with the intention of staying permanently; habitual abode is a stay of more than six months that is not merely temporary.
- **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on worldwide income and wealth through a national tax rising to 8% of income above CHF 211,400 (≈ $253,000) (single), with a municipal surcharge of 150% to 250% of the national tax; employees get a CHF 1,600 (≈ $1,920) flat expense deduction and pay no income tax below a subsistence minimum of CHF 2,100 (≈ $2,520) gross a month (single).

[All tax rules for Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Proof of statutory health insurance covering all risks in Liechtenstein
- **Accommodation** Proof of a suitable dwelling, such as a lease or land-register extract
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Valid passport, birth certificate, passport photograph and proof of income, pensions or assets and of debts

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

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. (sources 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). (source 4)
- A fee of CHF 30 (≈ $36) · Fee for recording biometric data for the residence card. (source 4)
- A fee of CHF 20 (≈ $24) · Fee for producing the residence card. (source 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. (sources 1, 2)
- The applicant does not work in Liechtenstein; gainful employment can lead to revocation of the permit. (sources 1, 3)
- The applicant has no criminal conviction for a felony or misdemeanour. (source 1)
- Funds sufficient to avoid social assistance, proved by a guarantee from a bank based in Liechtenstein. (source 1)
- Proof of a suitable dwelling, such as a lease or land-register extract. (source 2)
- Proof of statutory health insurance covering all risks in Liechtenstein. (source 2)
- Valid passport, birth certificate, passport photograph and proof of income, pensions or assets and of debts. (source 2)
- Apply to the Migration and Passport Office; the government decides on applications for residence without employment once a quarter. (sources 3, 1)
- Obtain an assurance of the permit or an authorisation to issue a visa; work may only start after it is received. (source 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)). (sources 3, 4)
- A negative decision costs CHF 80 (≈ $96). (source 3)
- The permit is usually valid for one year and can be extended if the integration agreement is kept. (source 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](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2008311000) · 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](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2008350000) · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Issue of residence permit (B): residence without gainful employment](https://www.llv.li/en/national-administration/migration-and-passport-office/residence-in-liechtenstein-without-employment/award-residence-permit-b-) · Migration and Passport Office, Liechtenstein National Administration · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Ordinance on fees under foreigners law (Ausl-GebV), LGBl. 2011 No. 440](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2011440000) · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Citizenship Act (Buergerrechtsgesetz, BueG), LGBl. 1960 No. 23](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/1960023000) · Liechtenstein legal portal (gesetze.li) · checked 2026-10-11

## Special-interest residence and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Special-interest residence | – | 1 yr, renewable | No |
| [Opportunity Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/opportunity-card-job-search/) Germany | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Talent · Renowned person](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-renown/) France | Needs income of €22k+ a year ≈ $25k | 4 yr, renewable | – |
| [Global Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/global-talent/) United Kingdom | – | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| [Orientation year (zoekjaar)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/orientation-year/) Netherlands | – | 1 yr | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Special-interest residence?

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. A fee of CHF 30 (≈ $36). Fee for recording biometric data for the residence card. A fee of CHF 20 (≈ $24). Fee for producing the residence card.

### How long can I stay on the Special-interest residence?

Usually one year; extendable.

### Can I work on the Special-interest residence?

No. Gainful employment in Liechtenstein is prohibited.

### Can I bring my family on the Special-interest residence?

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.

### Who can apply for the Special-interest residence?

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.

### Does the Special-interest residence lead to permanent residence in Liechtenstein?

Time on the Special-interest residence counts toward permanent residence in Liechtenstein, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Special-interest residence counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 30 years of residence.

### How are Special-interest residence holders taxed in Liechtenstein?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Special-interest residence. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on worldwide income and wealth through a national tax rising to 8% of income above CHF 211,400 (≈ $253,000) (single), with a municipal surcharge of 150% to 250% of the national tax; employees get a CHF 1,600 (≈ $1,920) flat expense deduction and pay no income tax below a subsistence minimum of CHF 2,100 (≈ $2,520) gross a month (single).

## More in Liechtenstein

[Work residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/work-residence-b/) [Manager and specialist permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/manager-specialist-transfer/) [Short-stay work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/short-stay-work/) [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/student/) [EEA residence lottery](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/liechtenstein/eea-lottery-residence/)

## Special talent visas elsewhere

[🇹🇷 Turquoise Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/turkiye/turquoise-card/) [🇦🇿 Highly skilled migrant (points)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/azerbaijan/highly-skilled-migrant/) [🇦🇩 Science, culture or sport](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/andorra/science-culture-sport/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 5 official sources.** Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Foreigners Act (Ausländergesetz, AuG), LGBl. 2008 No. 311, version of 12 June 2026](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2008311000) · 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](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2008350000) · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Issue of residence permit (B): residence without gainful employment](https://www.llv.li/en/national-administration/migration-and-passport-office/residence-in-liechtenstein-without-employment/award-residence-permit-b-) · Migration and Passport Office, Liechtenstein National Administration · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Ordinance on fees under foreigners law (Ausl-GebV), LGBl. 2011 No. 440](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2011440000) · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Citizenship Act (Buergerrechtsgesetz, BueG), LGBl. 1960 No. 23](https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/1960023000) · Liechtenstein legal portal (gesetze.li) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.