Perfect combination of innovation
and a long-term mindset
The Liechtenstein financial centre thinks in generations. The focus on the long term, on quality and stability is just as important as being in touch with the latest trends.
LEGAL CERTAINTY
- Stable social, legal and economic system
- Customs and currency union with Switzerland since 1924
- Member of the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1995.
- Barrier-free access to the European market (freedom of movement of goods, people, services and capital)
- Political continuity and stability
- Liberal economic policies
- Liberal company law
- Sound financial policies/no government debt
- Very well-funded public sector
- Moderate corporate taxation
- AAA country rating awarded by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s
- Broadly diversified economy with strong industrial sector
AND PHILANTHROPY
- Liechtenstein is establishing itself as a respected, sustainable and stable financial centre.
- Acting in a responsible, sustainable manner is a central component of Liechtenstein’s culture.
- Unique projects:
- “Energy country”: all of Liechtenstein’s municipalities have been awarded the “Energy Town” label. Liechtenstein is the world’s first “energy country”.
- “Solar world champion”: Liechtenstein has the highest per capita photovoltaic capacity.
- “Water footprint”: Liechtenstein is the first country to offer as many people in developing countries safe access to clean drinking water as it has inhabitants.
- Outstanding international reputation as a philanthropy centre at the heart of Europe.
- Advanced foundation governance with high protection of the private sphere.
CONFORMITY
- Financial centre regulation in Liechtenstein based on EU guidelines
- Internationally integrated and recognised financial market supervisory authority
- Recognition and implementation of international and European tax cooperation standards
- Early AEOI adopter (automatic exchange of information)
- Global Forum rating “largely compliant”
- Implementation of OECD/BEPS (corporate taxation guidelines)
- Tax information exchange agreements and/or double taxation agreements with 54 states
OF INNOVATION
- Extensive expertise and long-standing experience of service providers within the financial centre
- Direct access to specialists and experts from Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein
- Flexibility and short decisionmaking channels in Liechtenstein
- Europe-compliant niche products in the financial sector
- Support for innovation
News
Liechtenstein financial sector becoming more transparent
Liechtenstein has made up ground in the Financial Secrecy Index. The Principality’s financial sector ranks in 54th place, well behind those countries that the UK-based Tax Justice Network classifies as the world’s worst tax havens. The USA and Switzerland lead the way in the index. Luxembourg is ranked in 5th place.
Trust sector generates third-highest level of value added
The Liechtenstein trust sector generated gross value added of just under 1 billion Swiss francs in 2018. Its direct share of gross value added of slightly over 11 percent was the third-highest by sector. This is a finding from a study published on behalf of the Liechtenstein Institute of Professional Trustees and Fiduciaries.
FMA reports financial sector on good course
The Liechtenstein financial center has maintained its growth path in the second year of the pandemic. The Financial Market Authority (FMA) reported on this in its 2021 annual report. In dealing with the war in Ukraine, the FMA attested that market players had acted appropriately.
Liechtenstein is world’s top philanthropy environment
Liechtenstein offers the best environment in the world for philanthropic engagement. This is a finding from the Global Philanthropy Environment Index 2022 compiled by the University of Indiana.
Events
Digital Finance Forum 2022
Digital Finance Forum 2022 – Wie die Digitalisierung die Finanzwelt transformiert.
F.A.Z.-Konferenz Nachhaltigkeit & Kapitalanlage
Die F.A.Z.-Konferenz Nachhaltigkeit & Kapitalanlage ist das Event für professionelle Anleger in Deutschland, die ihre Kapitalanlage nachhaltig ausgerichtet haben oder ausrichten wollen.
Investors Summit Liechtenstein 2022
Der Investor Summit Liechtenstein vernetzt seit über zehn Jahren Investoren und Entscheidungsträger mit innovativen Start-ups und Wachstumsunternehmen. So auch bei der Ausgabe vom 08. Juni 2022.
Unternehmertag 2022
Die 17. Ausgabe des Unternehmertags findet am Mittwoch, 6. Juli 2022, in der Spoerry-Halle in Vaduz statt und widmet sich dem Thema «Führen in der Instabilität».
Special topic
stability & security
Financial Centre
Services
Banks
Fiduciary companies
Asset management companies
Investment fund companies
Insurance companies
Attorneys-at-law
Auditors
In a complex and dynamic environment, auditing plays an important safeguarding role for the economy as a whole. This creates trust and confidence amongst capital lenders, clients, suppliers, employees and the public in general.
Common-benefit foundations and trusts
Within Europe, Liechtenstein foundation law is considered “state of the art”. In recent years, Liechtenstein has developed into a philanthropy centre at the heart of Europe.
11 MYTHEN
Myth: The Prince rules over Liechtenstein!
Liechtenstein is a hereditary monarchy based on democratic parliamentary principles. Voters elect Parliament and the Government, which govern the country together with the Prince.Myth: Liechtenstein is conservative!
No national debt, a moderate tax burden and political stability safeguard a successful society. Liechtenstein responsibly safeguards its political and social achievements so that future generations can also benefit from these.Myth: You don’t pay taxes in Liechtenstein!
One of the main pillars of success for Liechtenstein is moderate taxation for citizens and companies. The moderate tax rates pay off in a highly innovative economy and a satisfied population.Myth: Liechtenstein gets its wealth only from its Financial Centre!
Liechtenstein has one of the highest corporate densities in the world. Industry and commerce account for 43 percent of Liechtenstein’s gross output, making it an export-oriented industrialised nation.Myth: Liechtenstein evades international regulations!
Due to the Monetary and Customs Treaty, Liechtenstein’s legislation is consistent with that of Switzerland. Liechtenstein has also been a member of the European Economic Area EEA since 1995, meaning that it applies the same strict regulations as all other EU states.Myth: Liechtenstein is reluctant to adopt financial market regulations!
As an early adopter, Liechtenstein is committed to implementing OECD standards on transparency and the exchange of information in tax matters at an early stage, and has an explicit clean money strategy. Liechtenstein plays a leading role in efforts to achieve compliant financial market regulations.Myth: The Liechtenstein Financial Centre consists only of bankers and trustees!
Liechtenstein has a diversified Financial Centre with trust companies, banks, asset managers, investment fund providers, insurers, auditors and lawyers.Myth: The participants in Liechtenstein’s Financial Centre hoard foreign money!
The assets invested in Liechtenstein are reinvested worldwide and in a sustainable manner.Myth: Liechtenstein is not a real country!
The independent small state of Liechtenstein is a member of the UN, the WTO, the EFTA, the Council of Europe as well as the European Economic Area EEA. In addition, with the Customs and Monetary Union, the country is also closely tied to Switzerland and its currency is the Swiss franc.Myth: Liechtenstein benefits from its neighbouring countries!
Liechtenstein and its neighbouring countries benefit from each other. Liechtenstein benefits from the infrastructure of its neighbours, which for their part benefit from cross-border commuters who contribute towards the purchasing power of neighbouring countries.Myth: The Liechtenstein Financial Centre is not supervised!
Liechtenstein has an independent and internationally-recognised Financial Market Authority that is embedded in the Europe-wide supervisory system within the EEA. All stakeholders are strictly supervised in order to protect clients and the Financial Centre.
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