Starting a Business · Liechtenstein
Starting a Business - Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein permits 100% foreign ownership of companies with no nationality or residency restrictions on shareholders, and incorporation of a GmbH or AG is typically completed within about one to two weeks via a notary. However, operating a business is gated by a separate trade-licence regime: a resident, German-speaking managing director is required, qualified trades need a Gewerbebewilligung, and third-country nationals must have resided in Liechtenstein for at least 12 years to obtain a licence in their own name, while EEA/EFTA nationals face easier conditions.
There are no restrictions on shareholder nationality or residency; full (100%) foreign ownership of Liechtenstein companies is permitted, and non-residents can complete the setup remotely via a licensed fiduciary or lawyer.
Every company must appoint at least one managing director who is resident in Liechtenstein and fluent in German, ensuring a local presence for regulatory compliance.
An AG (Aktiengesellschaft) requires CHF/EUR/USD 50,000 and a GmbH requires CHF/EUR/USD 10,000; the minimum capital must be fully paid up or contributed at the time of formation.
About 72 professional groups are classified as 'qualified trades' and require a business licence before operations begin, with proof of professional qualification, a clean criminal-record and debt-enforcement extract, and suitable business premises; simple trades only need registration. The Office of Economic Affairs reviews complete applications within three months.
EEA/EFTA passport holders may apply for a business licence on favourable terms, but nationals of third countries (e.g. US, Russia) must have been continuously resident in Liechtenstein for at least 12 years to apply for a licence in their own name.
Core steps are: check name availability, notarize the articles of association, deposit the minimum capital in a bank, file with the Commercial Register, and obtain the trade licence/registration. Formation is generally completed within roughly 5–10 business days once documents are in order.
Machine-assisted translation · verified 5/23/2026 · orientation, not legal advice. English version →