Residence Permit Without Gainful Employment

Liechtenstein's Residence Permit Without Gainful Employment (Aufenthaltsbewilligung ohne Erwerbstätigkeit) is a B residence permit allowing financially independent foreign nationals to live in the Principality without engaging in any gainful employment. The program targets retirees, pensioners, and individuals living on passive income from investments, savings, or foreign sources. It is one of Europe's most restrictive residence programs: Liechtenstein enforces strict annual quotas on all residence permits, a feature of its special EEA membership terms negotiated when the microstate joined the European Economic Area in 1995.

There are three categories of applicants, each with different rules:

• EEA nationals: 16 permits per year allocated without employment. Half are distributed by lottery (held twice yearly in spring and autumn), and the rest are awarded by direct government decision.
• Swiss nationals: 5 permits per year, awarded by direct government allocation only. Cannot participate in the lottery.
• Third-country nationals: No fixed quota. Permits are granted only in exceptional cases where the applicant is deemed of particular interest to Liechtenstein.

• Sufficient financial means so that no social assistance is required (no fixed statutory minimum, but approximately CHF 100,000/year in verifiable income is expected in practice)
• Comprehensive health insurance covering all risks in Liechtenstein
• Proof of accommodation in Liechtenstein
• Criminal record certificate
• No gainful employment in Liechtenstein (employment abroad is permitted for non-lump-sum-taxed residents)
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required

For EEA nationals entering the lottery, applications must be submitted during a designated window (e.g., August 1-31 for the autumn draw). Registration for the preliminary draw can now be submitted online through the Migration and Passport Office's digital lottery registration eService. Each draw consists of a preliminary draw (CHF 100 fee) and a final draw (CHF 500 fee). Winning the lottery does not guarantee approval — applicants must still meet all substantive requirements. The government decides on non-employed residence applications once per quarter.

For third-country nationals, applications go directly to the Migration and Passport Office, which forwards them to the government for a discretionary decision. Permit issuance costs CHF 1,060 upon approval.

The permit is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually. Extension applications must be filed no later than two weeks before expiry. Continued financial self-sufficiency, health insurance, and accommodation must be demonstrated at each renewal. After 5 years of continuous residence, holders may apply for a settlement permit (C permit) valid for up to 10 years.

EEA nationals may bring a spouse and children under 21. Third-country nationals may bring a spouse and children under 18, with family reunification applications submitted within 3 years of the main permit. Dependants of non-employed permit holders are also prohibited from working in Liechtenstein unless they independently obtain a separate employment-linked permit. Financial self-sufficiency must cover the entire family.

Residents are subject to Liechtenstein income tax with a maximum rate of approximately 22%. Non-employed foreign nationals taking up residence for the first time may apply for lump-sum taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung) at a flat rate of 25% on worldwide living expenses, with a government-set minimum annual tax of CHF 300,000. Under the lump-sum regime, employment both within Liechtenstein and abroad is prohibited.

Permit holders must reside in Liechtenstein for at least 183 days per year and maintain the country as their centre of life. Residents must register with their local municipality and file annual tax returns. Extended absences may result in non-renewal of the permit. Citizenship requires 30 years of continuous residence, reducible to 10 years with local municipality approval.