🇱🇮Liechtenstein Visa for Romanian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

National Long-Stay Visa (Category D) - Gainful Employment

Grants entry to Liechtenstein for the purpose of taking up gainful employment for periods exceeding 90 days. This is a national (not Schengen-wide) visa, valid only for Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Category D visa for stays exceeding 90 days for the purpose of gainful employment. Processing time 'one to several months must be expected' per SEM. Non-EEA/non-Swiss nationals must be managers, specialists, or otherwise qualified employees sponsored by a Liechtenstein employer. Applications processed through cantonal migration offices in coordination with the Liechtenstein Migration and Passport Office (APA). EEA nationals instead participate in the B permit draw. A national visa premium of up to 50% surcharge may apply for urgent processing.

National Long-Stay Visa (Category D) - Education

Allows foreign nationals to reside in Liechtenstein for the purpose of studying or vocational training for periods exceeding 90 days.

Education is a permitted purpose under the Swiss/Liechtenstein Category D national visa framework. Students must demonstrate financial means (minimum CHF 30/day per SEM). Processed through Swiss representations abroad in coordination with Liechtenstein APA. Processing time generally one to several months.

National Long-Stay Visa (Category D) - Family Reunification

Permits entry and stay in Liechtenstein for the purpose of joining a family member who is lawfully resident, for periods exceeding 90 days.

Family reunification is a recognised purpose under the Category D national visa. Issued by Swiss representations abroad. Processing one to several months. The family member residing in Liechtenstein must hold a valid B or C residence permit. Liechtenstein's strict residence quota system makes approval for family reunification subject to available quota.

Residence Permit B (Draw) - With Gainful Employment (EEA Nationals)

Annual lottery-based residence permit allowing EEA nationals to live and work in Liechtenstein for more than 12 months. Quota of 56 permits per year, allocated 50% by lottery and 50% by government decision.

EEA nationals only (Swiss nationals excluded). Draws held twice yearly (spring and autumn). B permit is renewable annually. After 5 years of lawful residence, permanent residence (C permit) may be obtained. Citizenship requires 30 years continuous residence. No monetary investment requirement. Non-EEA nationals are not eligible for this draw.

Residence Permit B (Draw) - Without Gainful Employment (EEA Nationals)

Annual lottery-based residence permit for EEA nationals wishing to reside in Liechtenstein without working, subject to demonstrating sufficient financial means. Quota of 16 permits per year.

EEA nationals only (Swiss and UK nationals excluded post-Brexit). Draws held twice yearly. Applicants must prove sufficient financial means to sustain themselves without social assistance. B permit renewable. After 5 years, permanent residence (C permit) may be obtained. Citizenship requires 30 years residence.

Short-term Residence Permit L - Qualified Specialists (Non-EEA Nationals)

Allows non-EEA and non-Swiss qualified specialists sponsored by a Liechtenstein employer to reside and work in Liechtenstein for up to 12 months.

For managers, specialists, or other qualified employees who have completed an apprenticeship or have many years of professional experience. Must be sponsored by a Liechtenstein company. L permit valid for up to 12 months, extendable once for up to 6 months upon proof of extraordinary need. Application filed by the Liechtenstein employer through the Migration and Passport Office (APA). No digital nomad or startup visa exists.

Diplomatic/Service/Official Passport Visa Exemption

Bilateral visa exemption agreements allow holders of diplomatic, service, special, or official passports from specific countries to enter Liechtenstein (via Schengen/Switzerland) without a visa for stays up to 90 days.

Liechtenstein applies Switzerland's bilateral diplomatic passport visa exemption agreements. As of June 2026, over 50 bilateral agreements exist covering countries including Albania (diplomatic), Angola (diplomatic/service), Brazil (diplomatic/official/service), China (diplomatic), India (diplomatic), and others. Stays are non-working and limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. See conditional_access array for full country-by-country breakdown.

Cross-Border Commuter Permit (G) - Third-Country Nationals

Allows non-EEA/non-Swiss nationals already lawfully resident in the EEA or Switzerland to take up employment with a Liechtenstein employer while returning to their foreign place of residence, without taking up residence in Liechtenstein.

For third-country nationals already resident in the EEA or Switzerland who commute to a job in Liechtenstein. Only granted if the employer proves no suitable worker is available on the permit-free (EEA/Swiss) labour market. The complete application is filed by the Liechtenstein employer with the Migration and Passport Office (APA) at least 14 days before the intended start of employment; work may only begin once the permit is issued. Limited to one year and renewable. The holder does not reside in Liechtenstein and returns to their foreign residence.

Cross-Border Commuter Registration (GMB) - EEA Nationals

Registration confirmation for employed or self-employed EEA nationals whose employer and place of work are in Liechtenstein but who return to a place of residence abroad, without taking up residence in Liechtenstein.

For EEA nationals (employed or self-employed) whose employer and workplace are in Liechtenstein and who commute from a residence abroad. Under EEA free-movement rules this is a declaratory registration confirmation, not a quota-restricted permit. The complete notification must be filed with the Migration and Passport Office (APA) no later than 10 days after taking up employment. All GMB holders also receive the digital eGMB free of charge in the eID.li app. Swiss cross-border commuters are covered under separate Swiss-Liechtenstein arrangements.

Settlement Permit C (Permanent Residence / Niederlassungsbewilligung)

Grants foreign nationals an indefinite right to reside in Liechtenstein without annual renewal, after a qualifying period of continuous lawful residence.

Granted after continuous lawful residence: Swiss and Austrian nationals after 5 years; other EEA nationals and third-country nationals generally after 10 years, subject to integration and good-conduct criteria. Confers an indefinite right of residence with no annual renewal, though it can lapse on prolonged absence or serious grounds. Issued by the Migration and Passport Office (APA). Not a route of first entry - it follows prior residence on a B permit. Ordinary naturalisation as a Liechtenstein citizen requires 30 years of residence.

Residence Permit B - Gainful Employment (Long-Term Work Permit)

Long-term residence permit for foreign nationals taking up salaried employment or self-employment in Liechtenstein for more than 12 months, for managers, specialists and qualified employees sponsored by a Liechtenstein employer.

The B permit for gainful employment is granted very restrictively and is quota-limited. Initial permits are typically valid for 12 months and renewable, up to 5 years overall; managers and specialists employed by internationally active companies may be granted up to 3 years. EEA nationals normally reach the B permit via the residence-permit draw; third-country (non-EEA) nationals can obtain it only exceptionally by government decision, and must be managers, specialists or qualified employees for whom no suitable worker is available on the permit-free (EEA/Swiss) labour market. The complete application is filed by the Liechtenstein employer with the Migration and Passport Office (APA); work may begin only once the permit is issued. This is distinct from the short-term L permit (max 12 months) and from the EEA-only B permit draw.

Au Pair Permit (Short-term Residence Permit L)

Short-term residence permit allowing young foreign nationals aged 18 to 25 to live with a host family in Liechtenstein, help with childcare and light housework, and improve their language skills as a cultural exchange.

Open to nationals of any country aged 18 to 25 who join a host family; issued as a short-term L permit for up to 12 months. The au pair must receive board, lodging and a minimum cash allowance (the host family pays a minimum gross wage of about CHF 1,835 for a 30-hour week, with a net minimum of about CHF 700 per month). The application is filed by the host family with the Migration and Passport Office (APA). Quota-restricted like other L permits.