Life

In Liechtenstein, there are many offers for families and domestic partnerships. Various institutions provide numerous activities and projects. All of them want families in Liechtenstein to thrive.

What support is available for families in Liechtenstein?

What should be considered, for example, in the case of a separation?

Here you will find an overview with contacts to counseling centers, legal factors, and much more:

You can find many useful information and offers related to family life in Liechtenstein on the family portal.

House of Family - Together under one roof: Under the patronage of the Liechtenstein Red Cross, the House of Families has become a central meeting place for generations in the center of Schaan.

14 organizations that address the various concerns of pregnant women, parents, and children found their new home there on December 1, 2023. Among others, there are the Parent-Child Forum, the Family Center müze, the Mothers' and Fathers' Counseling, a Baby Therapy, and many more.

Family support means that families are supported financially, among other things.

For example, there is money when a baby is born. This is called birth allowance.

Additionally, families receive child benefits every month.

There is also support for people with disabilities and for elderly individuals.

Detailed information about family support can be found here:

Documents and Paperwork

When a baby is born, various documents and paperwork are required. You can find these and many other pieces of information for the time before and after a birth here. This includes maternity, prenatal care, birth certificate, clarification of custody, and much more.

On the page of familienportals.li, you will find information about medical care, courses and events, counseling services, and childcare.

schwanger.li

The specialist office schwanger.li offers counseling for pregnant women in Liechtenstein. A team of experienced counselors informs, advises, and supports pregnant women, men, and couples. They conduct counseling sessions for questions, concerns, or problems related to pregnancy and birth. The service is free of charge and can be anonymous upon request.

Maternity Protection

Mothers must be protected after giving birth.

During this time, they do not work. This is called maternity protection. The maternity protection period lasts a total of

20 weeks. If a mother worked before giving birth, she is entitled to a daily allowance.

During this time, the mother receives 80% of her salary.

Parental Leave

Parental leave is available to both parents. Each parent may take four months of parental leave. Together, this amounts to eight months. Parental leave is unpaid. There is a new EU directive stating that Liechtenstein must introduce two weeks of paid paternity leave.

Maternity Allowance

There are mothers who are not entitled to receive a daily allowance. They can apply for a one-time maternity allowance. They receive this maternity allowance if the legal requirements are met. Here you will find more information:

When a family has a child, they need more money. This support comes from the family equalization fund (FAK). For example, a family receives child benefits every month. Or when a child is born, the family receives a one-time birth allowance. There are also parents who live alone with their children. They then receive a single-parent allowance. For parents who do not work in Liechtenstein and reside abroad (cross-border commuters), there is an adjustment compensation. You can find detailed information about the benefits and eligibility requirements here:

Working parents can use out-of-home childcare. Trained individuals take care of the children there. For example, in a daycare center. There, children can play with other children and spend the day.

Here you will find all out-of-home childcare options. There are also day families, private kindergarten, and childcare offers for school children.

Registration for Childcare

If you would like to have your child cared for outside the home, you must register your child on the parent portal (website).

Alternatively, you can directly submit a request to your chosen childcare facility.

You can also calculate the cost of a childcare place here.

Financing of Childcare

Some parents cannot afford out-of-home childcare. For this, they can apply for financial assistance from the Office of Social Services (ASD). This is graduated according to income. More information can be found here:

The Office of Social Services (ASD) has the Child and Youth Service with two specialized fields. The Child and Youth Welfare department and the Promotion, Protection, and Addiction department. The following is done there:

• Child and Youth Welfare:

  Families are supported here. It is ensured that a family can meet the needs of children and adolescents. If the protection or well-being of children or adolescents is at risk, child and youth welfare intervenes.

• Child and Youth Promotion promotes extracurricular child and youth work. For example, through professional support and counseling for individuals and organizations. It also provides financial support.

• Child and Youth Protection creates conditions that protect children and adolescents from dangers. Parents and teachers will be supported in dealing with these dangers.

Applications and further information can be found here:

A separation or divorce is a difficult stage in life. In both cases, it takes a lot of strength. The consequences can be far-reaching, especially when there are shared children involved.

Judicial Interns

If you would like information about the process of separation or divorce, you can also contact the judicial interns. In simple cases, you will receive free information about the applicable law here.

Separation/Divorce of Parents

The Office of Social Services has created a guide for parents in cases of separation and divorce. You can find this and more information here:

infra - Information and Contact Center for Women

Infra has also created a divorce guide.

You can find the guide and more detailed information on the infra page.

In addition, infra offers a leaflet for the protection of migrant women, describing how a separation or divorce affects residency rights.

Financial assistance or supplementary benefits are provided when someone does not have sufficient minimum income. The minimum income defines how much money a person needs at least for living, including food, clothing, and housing.

There is a legal entitlement to these benefits, but only if certain conditions are met. Further information can be found here:

Office of Social Services

The Office of Social Services can grant financial aid. For example:

Mothers' and Fathers' Counseling by the Liechtenstein Red Cross

Parents and caregivers of young children (up to five years) are professionally advised over the phone, during home visits, and in conversations. The counseling is voluntary, free of charge, and confidential. The topics include breastfeeding, nutrition, care, development, education, and the role of parents. Some important information (breastfeeding, nutrition, diseases) is also available in other languages.

Pro Juventute - Mothers' and Fathers' Counseling

Another offer is the Mothers' and Fathers' Counseling from Pro Juventute.

You can call there or ask questions about everyday life with babies or young children via the chat function. The counseling covers topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, care, development, education, and parenting. The website offers articles, some of which are written in simple language.

Network Family

Burdened parents can find support, counseling, and guidance here.

The offer is aimed at parents with children aged 0-5 years who are in stressful situations. For example, newly arrived parents with few contacts or language barriers.

Parent-Child Forum

The Parent-Child Forum assists with various

questions and offers counseling. For example, regarding childcare or parenting questions. But also when there are problems in the family. The service is voluntary and available to all residents of Liechtenstein. The Parent-Child Forum organizes courses and events on the topics of family and education.

For foreign-language parents, there are discussion groups in their native language, known as

Children and Youth Service

At the Office of Social Services (ASD), there is a department for children and adolescents: the Children and Youth Service. Families with children and adolescents are supported there, particularly if they are in a crisis or difficult life situation.

School Social Work

School social work is a free and low-threshold service provided by the Liechtenstein Office of Education for public schools.

It accompanies children and adolescents in the process of growing up, supports them in coping with life, and promotes their skills in solving personal and social problems. Teachers and parents are supported in their educational tasks, and the school is supported in social-pedagogical matters.

Further information can be found at:

School Psychological Service

Some children have problems in school, for example with learning or behavioral issues. The School Psychological Service provides assistance to students, parents, and teachers. Detailed information can be found here:

Housing Allowances

Families and single parents with dependent children are entitled to housing allowances. The families must live in rented accommodation and have had their residence in Liechtenstein for at least one year. Application forms are available at the Office of Social Services as well as at all municipal offices.

Further information can be obtained from your municipality and the Office of Social Services.