Support for Users

We gladly receive your written enquiries via contact address [email protected]. However, in many cases, a written enquiry cannot replace a personal visit to the National Archives, because only limited information can be provided in this way, such as whether documents on a particular topic are available in the National Archives.

Not all documents are freely accessible, as various interests need to be considered, including confidentiality, personal privacy and copyright. Documents that have already been published, such as parliamentary minutes, reports and applications to the government, or newspapers, are freely available for use. According to the Archive Law, official records have a restriction period of 30 years, and personal records have a restriction period of 80 years. However, in the case of scientific interest, it is possible to apply for a reduction of these restriction periods:

Upon request, we produce digitised copies of archival materials for you. Additionally, a photocopier is available on site. Copies and reproductions are subject to a fee.

May you wish for digital copies, please fill out the Reproduction Request as well as the Consent Form concerning the use of reproductions.

Since the diversity of the country cannot be fully represented by governmental documents alone and the history of Liechtenstein encompasses more than just administrative actions, we are always interested in private collections and anything that helps document the history of Liechtenstein for later generations. This may include documents, photographs or films. All of these complement the governmental archival material with essential aspects and thus contribute to a more diverse and accurate historical transmission. This enables us to ensure broadest coverage of the past and present.

We are very pleased to accept your private archives as donations. Donation agreements regulate the modalities for the acquisition, copyright and accessibility. The donors or their authorized representatives have the right to view their own records at any time. Legally and in terms of conservation, private archives are considered equal to governmental archival materials.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Acquisition and Appraisal for advice. It is important to us to protect historically and legally relevant records from destruction. Especially after deaths, during house clearances, under unfavourable storage conditions, or simply due to a lack of space, valuable documents, photos, or films are at risk of being deemed unimportant and destroyed.

The brochure "Recommendations for Private Archives" contains further information:

The tasks and actions of the Liechtenstein National Archives are guided by the Archives Act and the Regulation on the Use of the National Archives.