Life

In Liechtenstein, there are many services available for families and domestic partnerships. Various institutions offer many activities and projects. They all want families in Liechtenstein to thrive.

What support is available for families in Liechtenstein?

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

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

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

Family support means that families receive financial assistance among other things.

For example, there is financial aid when a baby is born, called the birth grant.

Additionally, families receive child benefits every month.

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

Detailed information on family support can be found here:

Documents and Forms

When a baby is born, various documents and forms are needed. You can find this and many other 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 child care.

schwanger.li

The specialized office schwanger.li offers pregnancy counseling 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 and can be anonymous upon request.

Maternity Protection

Mothers must be protected after giving birth.

Then they do not work. This is called maternity protection. Maternity protection lasts for a total of

20 weeks. If a mother worked before the birth, she has a right to daily benefits.

The mother receives 80% of her salary during this time.

Parental Leave

Parental leave is entitled to both parents. Each parent may take four months of parental leave. Together, it totals eight months. Parental leave is unpaid. There is a new EU directive stating that Liechtenstein must introduce a two-week paid paternity leave.

Maternity Grant

There are mothers who do not have a claim to daily benefits. They can apply for a one-time maternity grant instead. They receive this maternity grant once the legal requirements are met. Here you can find further information:

When a family has a child, they need more money. They receive this from the family compensation fund (FAK). For example, a family receives child benefits every month. Or when a child is born, the family receives a one-time birth grant. 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 live abroad (cross-border commuters), there is a differential compensation. More details on the services and eligibility requirements can be found here:

Parents who are working can use external childcare services. Trained individuals care for the children there. For example, in a daycare center. There, children can play with other children and spend the day.

Here you can find all external childcare options. There are also day families, private kindergarten, and care services for school children.

Registration for Childcare

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

Alternatively, you can directly make an inquiry to your chosen childcare facility.

You can also calculate what a childcare place costs here.

Funding for Childcare

Some parents cannot afford external childcare. Therefore, one can apply for financial support at the Office of Social Services (ASD). This is graduated according to income. More information can be found here:

At the Office of Social Services (ASD), there is the Child and Youth Service with two specialized areas. The Child and Youth Welfare sector and the Support, Protection, and Addiction sector. The following is done there:

• Child and Youth Welfare:

  Here, families are supported. It is ensured that a family can meet the needs of children and youth. When the protection or well-being of children or youth is at risk, the Child and Youth Welfare intervenes.

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

• The Child and Youth Protection creates conditions that protect children and youth from dangers. Parents and educators are supported in dealing with these dangers.

Applications and further information can be found here:

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

Court Interns

If you want to inform yourself about the process of a separation or divorce, you can also contact the court interns. In simple cases, you can receive free information about the applicable law here.

Separation/Divorce of Parents

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

infra - Information and Contact Point for Women

The infra has also created a divorce guide.

You can find the guide and further detailed information on the infra's website.

Additionally, infra offers a fact sheet on the protection for migrant women. It describes how a separation or divorce affects residency rights.

Financial assistance or supplementary benefits are available when one does not have sufficient minimum income. The minimum income determines how much money a person needs at a minimum for their living, including for food, clothing, and housing.

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

Office of Social Services

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

Mother and Father Counseling by the Liechtenstein Red Cross

Parents and caregivers of small children (up to five years) receive professional advice over the phone, during home visits, and in conversations. The counseling is voluntary, free, and confidential. It covers topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, care, development, education, and the role of parents. Some important information (breastfeeding, nutrition, illnesses) is also available in other languages.

Pro Juventute - Mother and Father Counseling

Another service is the mother and father counseling from Pro Juventute.

You can call them or ask questions about everyday life with babies or small children via the chat function. The counseling covers topics such as breastfeeding, nutrition, care, development, education, and parenthood. On the website, you will find articles that are partly written in simple language.

Network Family

Stressed parents can find support, advice, and guidance here.

The service is aimed at parents with children aged 0–5 who are in stressful situations. For example, for newly relocated parents with few contacts or language barriers.

Parent-Child Forum

The Parent-Child Forum helps with various

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

For non-German speaking parents, there are discussion rounds in their native languages, called “Femmestische”. There they discuss various topics like health and parenting.

Children and Youth Service

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

School Social Work

School social work is a free and low-threshold service offered by the Liechtenstein School Authority for public schools.

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

Further information at:

School Psychological Service

Some children have problems at school. For example, with learning. Or there are behavioral issues. The School Psychological Service can help with that. It supports students, parents, and teachers. Detailed information can be found here:

Rent Contributions

Families and single parents with dependent children are entitled to rent contributions. 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 administrations.

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