Liechtenstein · Spouse visas
Liechtenstein Spouse of a resident
Family reunification with a holder of a residence or settlement permit (Art. 32 to 37 AuG)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Spouse of a resident is a spouse visas route for Liechtenstein. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Government fees
- CHF 200 ≈ $240 · +2 more
Cost, time and long term
Government feesCHF 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.
RenewalRenewable
Valid for the same period as the sponsor's permit.
Permanent residenceAfter 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.
CitizenshipAfter 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.
What you'll need
Who can apply3
- The sponsor holds a valid residence or settlement permit and both spouses are of age under Liechtenstein law.
- The spouse living abroad has basic German skills; this is waived if the sponsor’s permit is for employment and the family enters together.
- The sponsor has a suitable dwelling, a secure job or funds covering the family so that social assistance is not needed.
What you must show1
- Funds for the sponsor and family, proved by a bank guarantee from Liechtenstein; only the sponsor’s income and assets count.
Documents2
- Marriage, birth or adoption documents, which may be requested in original.
- After arrival: registration with the residents’ office, health insurance and school registration of children.
Steps1
- Family reunification must be claimed within three years of the permit or of the marriage; sponsors admitted through family reunification wait four years.
After you arrive2
- The family member’s permit lasts as long as the sponsor’s permit.
- Spouse and children may take up employment.
When you become tax resident
How Liechtenstein decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- 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 Tax records checked
Full official text
Residence permit for the spouse, registered partner and unmarried children under 18 of a non-EEA national who holds a valid residence or settlement permit. 1 2 3
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). 3
- A fee of CHF 30 (≈ $36) · Fee for recording biometric data for the residence card. 3
- A fee of CHF 20 (≈ $24) · Fee for producing the residence card. 3
Requirements
- The sponsor holds a valid residence or settlement permit and both spouses are of age under Liechtenstein law. 1
- The spouse living abroad has basic German skills; this is waived if the sponsor’s permit is for employment and the family enters together. 1
- The sponsor has a suitable dwelling, a secure job or funds covering the family so that social assistance is not needed. 1
- Funds for the sponsor and family, proved by a bank guarantee from Liechtenstein; only the sponsor’s income and assets count. 1
- Marriage, birth or adoption documents, which may be requested in original. 1 2
- After arrival: registration with the residents’ office, health insurance and school registration of children. 1
- Family reunification must be claimed within three years of the permit or of the marriage; sponsors admitted through family reunification wait four years. 1
- The family member’s permit lasts as long as the sponsor’s permit. 1
- Spouse and children may take up employment. 1
Stay
- Same validity as the sponsor’s permit.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Applies to family members of non-EEA, non-Swiss permit holders.
Work
Employment is permitted; self-employment follows Art. 30(2) AuG.
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.
Official sources
- 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
- Ordinance on admission and residence of foreigners (ZAV), LGBl. 2008 No. 350 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
- Ordinance on fees under foreigners law (Ausl-GebV), LGBl. 2011 No. 440 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
- Citizenship Act (Buergerrechtsgesetz, BueG), LGBl. 1960 No. 23 · Liechtenstein legal portal (gesetze.li) · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse of a resident and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a resident | – | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen | – | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen Portugal | – | – | – |
| Spouse of a resident Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Spouse of a resident?
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 Spouse of a resident?
Same validity as the sponsor’s permit.
Can I work on the Spouse of a resident?
Yes. Employment is permitted; self-employment follows Art.
Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a resident?
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.
Does the Spouse of a resident lead to permanent residence in Liechtenstein?
Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward permanent residence in Liechtenstein, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 30 years of residence.
How are Spouse of a resident holders taxed in Liechtenstein?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a resident. 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
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
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.
- 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
- Ordinance on admission and residence of foreigners (ZAV), LGBl. 2008 No. 350 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
- Ordinance on fees under foreigners law (Ausl-GebV), LGBl. 2011 No. 440 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
- Citizenship Act (Buergerrechtsgesetz, BueG), LGBl. 1960 No. 23 · Liechtenstein legal portal (gesetze.li) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.