With ETIAS to Liechtenstein

English

Liechtenstein is a small Central European state between Switzerland and Austria. On only 160 square kilometres, around 39,000 people live in the capital Vaduz, known for the Vaduz Castle of the Princely Family. A highlight is the Liechtenstein Art Museum, which displays modern art. The country's alpine landscape offers wonderful opportunities for hiking and skiing, especially in the Malbun region. Liechtenstein is a charming gem that combines history, culture and nature.

 The history of Liechtenstein in brief

 The history of Liechtenstein is marked by the fascinating development of a small principality in the heart of Europe. The Principality of Liechtenstein was founded in the 16th century when Charles of Liechtenstein bought the County of Vaduz and the Lordship of Schellenberg. This laid the foundation for modern Liechtenstein.

 In the course of the 19th century, Liechtenstein drew closer to the Empire of Austria and became a member of the German Confederation in 1806. This political connection remained until its dissolution in 1866.

 In the 20th century, Liechtenstein played a neutral role in the First and Second World Wars, although it was surrounded by the surrounding countries. During the Second World War, however, Liechtenstein took in Jewish refugees and provided them with protection.

Liechtenstein's economic development in the decades after the Second World War was impressive. It diversified its economy from agriculture to a progressive industrial and financial economy. This brought considerable prosperity to the country and its citizens.

In the 21st century, Liechtenstein has further consolidated its status as a prosperous Principality. Cooperation with the European Union, especially in the economic and financial spheres, has been intensified. Politically, however, Liechtenstein remains neutral and independent.

 

The history of Liechtenstein is marked by a remarkable development from a small territory to a prosperous and modern state in Europe. Even in the 21st century, the preservation of its sovereignty and the cultivation of its cultural identity are of great importance for this fascinating country.

 The parliamentary system of Liechtenstein

 Liechtenstein's form of government combines elements of a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The various aspects of this system of government are presented here in overview:

Parliament consists of two chambers: the Diet and the Princely Council. The Diet is the main legislative body and consists of 25 members elected every four years. The Princely Council is an advisory body composed of 15 members appointed by the Reigning Prince. The members of the Diet are elected by proportional representation.

The executive branch of Liechtenstein consists of the Reigning Prince as Head of State and the Government. The Reigning Prince performs the representative functions. The Government is elected by Parliament and consists of the Head of Government (Prince Regnant) and four ministers. The Head of Government is also appointed by the Reigning Prince and is usually the leader of the strongest party in Parliament. The ministers are each responsible for different portfolios, including finance, interior, foreign affairs and education.

 

Judicial power in Liechtenstein is exercised by independent courts. The supreme court is the five-member Supreme Court, which is responsible for interpreting the constitution and reviewing the constitutionality of laws. It also acts as an appellate court for all other court decisions in the country. Below the Supreme Court there are various subordinate courts, including the Regional Court, the Administrative Court and the Constitutional Court. These courts are responsible for interpreting and applying the law, as well as deciding legal disputes.

 Liechtenstein's system of government is characterised by a strong monarchical tradition embedded in a modern parliamentary democracy. This enables efficient governance and guarantees the rights and freedoms of citizens. Despite its small size, Liechtenstein plays an important role in European politics and economics and is a fascinating example of the combination of tradition and modernity.

 Entering Liechtenstein with ETIAS

 Those who want to visit the small country between Austria and Switzerland with its mountains and beautiful cities currently only need a valid passport. Entry to Liechtenstein is possible without any problems for certain countries from which there is a low risk of terrorism. This will change with the introduction of ETIAS. Similar to the USA, ETIAS establishes a system that makes it possible to screen travellers for their security risk within a short time and then issue them an entry permit that is valid for several years.

Issuing an ETIAS takes only a few minutes. Presumably, the passport has to be photographed or scanned and uploaded. Although the data is transferred automatically, the applicant must still compare it carefully. If there is an error, the application is invalid, as the data must match the passport one hundred percent. This also applies to the other information.

If one of the security questions is answered in the affirmative, approval may take a little longer, as the application is then subject to a more detailed examination. In contrast to the American ESTA system, the application is not rejected immediately.

The country of entry must also be specified. When applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, the indication of the country is obligatory. If the tourist enters more often with the ETIAS, the country is no longer relevant. He can visit any Schengen country with the ETIAS.

It should also be noted that the ETIAS is a necessary requirement but not a guarantee of entry. If the FRONTEX officer has legitimate concerns that the traveller poses a security risk, he can and will refuse entry.

 ETIAS increases security in the Schengen area

 ETIAS may be inconvenient for some travellers who previously could only enter the country with a passport, but it is necessary. The effort is kept within limits. It takes just a few minutes to fill out the application and send it off. In most cases, approval takes only a few hours. Since the application is valid for three years, this effort does not have to be made too often. The benefit is increased security. The application prevents people who are suspected of planning a terrorist attack from entering the country. This also allows the traveller to feel safer.