Do I need a licence to run a trade in Liechtenstein?
In most cases yes — anyone who wants to be self-employed on a lasting basis needs a trade licence. The basis is the Trade Act (GewG, LR 930.1), fully revised on 1 January 2021. It distinguishes simple, qualified and combined trades: for qualified activities such as many crafts a proof of qualification is needed, and for legal persons a managing director active in the business. Responsible is the Office of Economic Affairs, which decides on complete applications within three months. The myth: 'As in Switzerland I can just start and register later.' Wrong — Switzerland has freedom of trade and commerce and requires no general licence for most activities; Liechtenstein by contrast requires a substantive trade licence before the start, together with good repute and qualification.
📋 The rules
- A trade licence before the start. Under the Trade Act (GewG, LR 930.1) almost every self-employed activity aimed at duration and profit needs a licence from the Office of Economic Affairs before it is taken up.
- Three kinds of trade. The law knows simple, qualified and combined trades. Simple ones mainly need good repute and residence, qualified ones additionally a professional proof of qualification.
- A managing director for firms. If a legal person applies for a licence for a qualified trade, it must appoint a managing director who actually and actively works in the business.
- Good repute and documents. Depending on the trade, a criminal-record extract, diplomas or references as proof of qualification and details of seat and business are required.
- A decision in three months. The Office of Economic Affairs examines a complete application and decides within three months; in difficult cases the period may be reasonably extended once.
🔓 Exceptions
- Licence-free activities. Certain activities are exempt from the Trade Act — such as primary production (agriculture) and areas with their own special legislation such as banks, trustees or doctors.
- EEA service providers. Anyone who only temporarily and across borders provides services from another EEA state can benefit from eased rules instead of needing a full licence.
- Mere asset management. Managing your own assets without appearing on the market is not a trade; as soon as services are offered publicly, the licence duty applies.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Anyone who runs a trade without the required licence acts unlawfully — and that is penalised. The Office of Economic Affairs can prohibit the activity and close the business; the Trade Act threatens fines that rise on repetition and intent. It gets expensive when the missing licence surfaces late: contracts already concluded are called into question, and customers can withhold payments. Less obvious is the insurance and liability risk: without proper registration the correct old-age-insurance (AHV) status and cover are often missing, so in the event of damage or an accident the owner is personally on the hook. Anyone who as a managing director merely lends their name without really working risks withdrawal of the licence. And anyone who dodges taxes and social contributions must reckon with back claims and a separate procedure for undeclared work.
📎 Official sources
- LILEX — Trade Act (GewG, LR 930.1) (legal register home) →
- Office of Economic Affairs — trade licence (national administration) →
- Serviceportal Liechtenstein — trade registration (national administration) →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a licence for every self-employed activity?
In principle yes, because the Trade Act requires a trade licence for almost every self-employed activity aimed at duration and profit. Only certain areas such as agriculture or professions with their own special legislation are exempt.
What is a qualified trade?
A qualified trade is an activity such as many crafts for which a professional proof of qualification is required. For a firm a managing director must additionally be named who actually and actively works in the business.
How long does the licence take?
The Office of Economic Affairs decides on a complete application within three months of receiving all the documents. In difficult cases this period may be reasonably extended once, of which you will be informed in advance.
Is this easier than in Switzerland?
No, Switzerland has freedom of trade and commerce, so most activities need no general licence. Liechtenstein by contrast requires a substantive trade licence before the start, together with good repute and qualification.
What happens if I work without a licence?
The Office of Economic Affairs can prohibit the activity and issue a fine that rises with intent and repetition. In addition there are problems with insurance, old-age insurance and taxes, for which you then have to answer personally.
🔎 Common searches
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