Accommodation and support

The accommodation and care of asylum seekers, temporarily admitted persons and persons in need of protection is regulated in the Asylum Act under Art. 59. In this context, the government has concluded a service agreement with the Liechtensteiner Flüchtlingshilfe (FHL) for the independent provision of care. According to the service agreement, FHL is responsible for

• accommodation in suitable accommodation;
• carrying out salary administration;
• ensuring the provision of economic, medical and psychosocial care;
• providing advice and support during the stay in Liechtenstein
• promoting integration and the ability to return
• meaningful employment and support in finding work;
• exchanging information with the competent authorities;
• the recruitment, instruction, deployment and monitoring of aid organization representatives.

The state bears the costs for

• the expenses of refugee aid and the associated administrative costs;
• the reception center as well as the infrastructure and rent of any accommodation;
• accommodation, living expenses, any insurance and cost sharing in the event of illness or accident;
• Legal advice for persons covered by the Asylum Act (no legal representation!).

Asylum seekers, temporarily admitted persons or persons in need of protection who have sufficient assets are obliged to reimburse the costs under points two and three.

Asylum seekers may stay in Liechtenstein until the asylum procedure has been completed and are obliged to provide for their own living expenses wherever possible. This means that they are allowed to pursue gainful employment from day one, although this requires the approval of the Migration and Passport Office.

If asylum seekers, temporarily admitted persons or persons in need of protection take up gainful employment, their wage claims are assigned to the state(wage assignment). The funds are administered by Refugee Aid. However, for the duration of the wage assignment, a certain amount of the withheld money is paid out as a motivation bonus in accordance with the Asylum Ordinance. The salary deferral ends either when asylum is granted, a residence permit is issued, proof of departure is provided or the asylum application is rejected, but no later than five years after the asylum application was submitted.

If an asylum seeker is recognized as a refugee or if a temporarily admitted person receives a residence permit in accordance with Art. 31 of the Asylum Act, the responsibility of the Refugee Aid Office ends. From this point onwards, the Office of Social Services is responsible for providing support.

Children and unaccompanied minors

Special attention is paid to the accommodation and care of underage children of asylum seekers and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMA). In addition, persons interviewing asylum seekers who are minors take into account the special aspects of being a minor.

For UMA, the APA applies to the Court of Justice for the appointment of a curator to represent their legal interests. At the same time, the APA informs the Office of Social Services, which then appoints a person of trust. This person accompanies and supports the UMA during the asylum procedure. However, this service does not include any legal matters in connection with the asylum procedure.

In Liechtenstein, UMAs are placed in age-appropriate residential groups by the Office of Social Services. From the age of 16, they can also be accommodated in the reception center if required.

Underage children of asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors are obliged to attend kindergarten, elementary school and secondary school as part of their compulsory schooling. As a rule, school attendance begins no later than 30 days after the asylum application has been submitted, taking into account the school vacations and in consultation with the Office of Education.

If there is a suspicion that the age given by the asylum seeker does not correspond to the actual age, this can be clarified with the support of scientific methods when establishing the facts of the case.