The close and friendly relations with Switzerland
have developed
especially intensively
since the end of the First World War. This development is reflected in the many bilateral treaties and
agreements existing between the two neighboring countries.
The most important treaty
is the Customs Treaty which, together with other agreements pertaining to the movement of persons, makes
it possible to keep the border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland open. The Currency Treaty, which
regulates the use of the Swiss franc as the official currency in Liechtenstein, is also of great importance
to the Liechtenstein economy. Beyond the Customs and Currency Treaties, many additional treaties with
Switzerland – including agreements with individual Swiss cantons – exist in the areas of movement of
persons and immigration cooperation, health, social security, education, cross-border police cooperation,
private insurance, protection of intellectual property rights, agriculture, road traffic, air traffic,
and indirect taxes and duties.
The accreditation of a Swiss ambassador to Liechtenstein
for the first time, resident in Bern, represents a further recognition and deepening of the friendly
and close relations of the two countries. Customs
Treaty
The
Customs Treaty in force between Liechtenstein and the Austro-Hungarian Empire since 1852 became practically
meaningless after the collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1918 and was terminated by Liechtenstein is
1919. Already shortly after the termination of the Customs Treaty with Austria, Switzerland assumed
the representation of Liechtenstein interests and the interests of Liechtenstein citizens abroad, pursuant
to a request by the Government of Liechtenstein in October 1919. The
Customs Treaty with Switzerland of 29 March 1923 laid the cornerstone
for a new
era in the economic
development of Liechtenstein, which owes a significant share of its success to the ever closer cooperation
with Switzerland. The provisions of the Customs Treaty
stipulate that
all Swiss laws pertaining to customs are also applicable to Liechtenstein, as well as other Federal
legislation necessary for the implementation of the customs-free zone. Provisions of Swiss Federal law
which establish Federal contribution requirements are exempt from this rule. In addition, all trade
and customs treaties concluded by Switzerland with third States also apply to Liechtenstein on the basis
of the Customs Treaty. Switzerland is authorized to simultaneously represent Liechtenstein in such negotiations
and to conclude these treaties with effect in Liechtenstein. In
1991
and 1995, the Customs Treaty, which is limited in principle to the movement of goods, was modified to
take into account changing needs. Liechtenstein may accordingly itself become a State Party to an international
agreement or a member of an international organization within the scope of the Customs Treaty, whether
or not Switzerland also belongs to the agreement or organization. If Switzerland does not join the agreement
or organization, Liechtenstein and Switzerland conclude a special agreement, as was necessary in 1994,
for example, in preparation for the accession of Liechtenstein to the European Economic
Area (EEA)  . In
addition to the international legal effect of the
Customs Treaty,
it also has symbolic importance for the particularly close relations between Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
The Treaty created the foundation for a harmonization of legal provisions in the areas of social and
economic law, far beyond its scope of application. This close linkage is now manifested in a multitude
of treaties and other agreements, in particular in the areas of social welfare, vocational and professional
training, indirect taxes, and transnational police cooperation. Currency
Treaty
In 1980, Liechtenstein and Switzerland concluded a Currency
Treaty , with which
Liechtenstein – which had already used the Swiss franc as its official currency since 1921 – is included
in the currency area of Switzerland, while retaining its currency sovereignty in principle. The Swiss
provisions on monetary, credit, and currency policy within the meaning of the National Bank Act are
therefore also applicable to Liechtenstein. Patent
Protection
Treaty
By
means of the Patent Protection Treaty of 1978, the two States
form a common area
for purposes of
the protection of patents on inventions. Swiss patent law applies to the uniform protection area for
patents. The uniformity of patent protection also applies to European patents and international patent
applications. Liechtenstein and Switzerland may only be named jointly on European or international applications.
Liechtenstein is required to belong to certain international agreements relating to patent protection
in the same way as Switzerland. Switzerland concludes treaties with third States also on behalf of Liechtenstein. Movement
of persons
Vaduz Convention – Bilateral protocol
on the movement of persons (PDF, 121.36 KB) 
Embassy
of
the Principality of Liechtenstein in Bern
Bilateral
reltations Switzerland - Liechtenstein (présentation
française ) Responsibility
for content lies with the  |
