Liechtenstein - why work abroad?

⇑Why work in this country?

Liechtenstein is a small country of 41,227 people between Switzerland and Austria – but it has more jobs than inhabitants: since 2017 more people work in Liechtenstein than live there. In 2022, 57% of all jobs were held by cross-border commuters from neighbouring countries.

Eurostat publishes no current unemployment figures for Liechtenstein. National data show a tight labour market: at the end of August 2026 only 416 people were registered as unemployed with the public employment service (AMS FL), and in December 2023 there were about 3.1 vacancies per unemployed person. According to the Office of Statistics and Eurostat, 78.3% of people aged 20–64 had a job in 2022.

Liechtenstein is in the EEA, not in the EU, and has special rules on free movement: as an EEA or Swiss citizen you need a permit for any job, however short, and residence permits are limited and partly allocated by lottery. The official language is German.

⇑Where the jobs are

In its report on labour shortages (May 2024) the Government of Liechtenstein names three areas where specific skilled workers are missing:

• STEM occupations (MINT – mathematics, IT, natural sciences, technology),
• care and nursing,
• education – especially teachers.

The number of vacancies has grown: from an average of 820 open positions in 2017 to 885 in 2023, and at the end of January 2024 939 vacancies were registered with the AMS FL.

Because so many jobs are held by commuters, it often makes sense to look at Liechtenstein together with the neighbouring regions of Switzerland and Austria – many people live there and work in Liechtenstein.

⇑How to find a job

Start with the public employment service AMS FL (Arbeitsmarkt Service Liechtenstein):

• job portals – AMS FL keeps a list of more than 40 job portals, sorted by sector (tourism, IT and engineering, health and education, students and internships…),
• EURES at AMS FL – advice on working conditions and job opportunities in Liechtenstein and Europe, with a EURES adviser,
• EURES – the European job portal.

Before you apply, check whether you will live in Liechtenstein or commute – your permit depends on it (see “Your first weeks”).

For step-by-step advice on job search, CVs and interviews in any EU country, see our How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides.

⇑CV, application and interview

Liechtenstein has no official guide to application habits of its own – the EURES page on Liechtenstein is still being prepared. In practice:

• German is the official language, so be ready to apply and work in German unless the job ad says otherwise,
• prepare a clear CV and cover letter – the Europass tools can help,
• keep copies of your diplomas and references at hand.

Diplomas: the ENIC-NARIC centre for Liechtenstein is the Office of Education (Schulamt) – see the ENIC-NARIC page on Liechtenstein. Recognition of professional qualifications for regulated professions is governed by a separate law of 13 December 2007; the EU database of regulated professions shows which professions are regulated.

⇑Pay and working conditions

• Working time: under the Labour Act (Arbeitsgesetz) the maximum is 45 hours a week in industry and for office staff, and 48 hours for other employees. Young people aged 15–18 may work up to 40 hours.
• Breaks: at least 15 minutes after more than 5½ hours of work, 30 minutes after more than 7 hours and 1 hour after more than 9 hours.
• Rest: at least 11 hours in a row every day.
• Overtime beyond the legal maximum is paid with a supplement of at least 25%. Including overtime, your working week may not exceed 48 hours on average over four months.
• Health insurance: your employer pays half of your compulsory health and sickness benefit insurance contributions.
• Pay: check the collective agreement (Gesamtarbeitsvertrag, GAV) for your sector and your contract before you sign.

⇑Student jobs and internships

Students from the EEA and Switzerland follow the same rules as other EEA workers: you need a permit for any job, regardless of how long it lasts – also for a short holiday job.

Students from outside the EEA: a residence permit issued for studies does not entitle you to work.

AMS FL lists job portals for students and internships on its job portal page.

Thinking of studying there first? See Studying in Liechtenstein – practical information.

⇑Your first weeks: registration, tax and insurance

1. Permit first: as an EEA or Swiss citizen you need a permit for any job in Liechtenstein, regardless of its length.
2. Commuting: if you live outside Liechtenstein and return home every day, you work as a cross-border commuter (Grenzgänger).
3. Living in Liechtenstein: with a contract of up to one year you can get a short-term residence permit (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung). For a contract longer than one year or open-ended you need a residence permit (B). Their number is limited, and part of them are allocated in a two-stage lottery (Auslosung), held at least once a year.
4. Register with the residents’ registration office (Einwohnerkontrolle) within 8 days of arrival if your stay requires a permit.
5. Health insurance: compulsory for everyone who lives or works in Liechtenstein.

Problems with your rights as an EEA worker? Your Europe Advice and SOLVIT help for free.

⇑From outside the EU

If you are not an EEA or Swiss citizen, getting a work permit in Liechtenstein is hard. Permits are granted only to:

• managers (Führungskräfte),
• specialists with special expertise,
• other qualified workers with at least a completed apprenticeship or an upper secondary school leaving certificate (Matura).

In addition, the employer must show that no suitable worker could be found on the local and EEA labour market – the public employment service AMS FL has to confirm this in writing.

The admission rules contain no special job-search permit for graduates. Ask the migration authorities of the national administration (llv.li) before you plan your move.

⇑Sources and useful links

• Eurostat – population on 1 January (data for 2026),
• Government of Liechtenstein – report on labour shortages (May 2024),
• National administration – labour market in August 2026,
• AMS FL – Arbeitsmarkt Service Liechtenstein, job portals, EURES,
• Lilex (laws of Liechtenstein) – Free Movement of Persons Act (PFZG), Labour Act (ArG), Health Insurance Act (KVG), Ordinance on the admission of foreign nationals (ZAV),
• ENIC-NARIC – Liechtenstein,
• EFTA – EEA Agreement,
• Your Europe – working abroad.

Updated: October 2026.