In short
- A branch (Zweigniederlassung) is legally part of the parent company but carries on the same kind of business permanently in its own premises, with a degree of economic independence (LLV, branch).
- It is entered in the commercial register at the Office of Justice (Amt für Justiz) at the place of its business premises or management (Office of Justice fact sheet).
- Switzerland is not part of the EEA (EEA Coordination Unit). A Swiss company's branch therefore follows the rules for a head office outside the EEA (PGR Art. 291b).
- A foreign legal entity that wants to run a trade in Liechtenstein needs a domestic branch, business premises and a trade licence from the Office of Economic Affairs (Trade Act Art. 11 and 16).
- At digihub.li, In der Specki 3 in Schaan can, by agreement, serve as the registered and business address and the business premises of your branch. We also offer or arrange the local representative or service address under PGR Art. 239, always on a contractual basis (more).
What the law requires
Representation under Liechtenstein law
No separate board is appointed for a branch. The persons who represent the parent company are registered (fact sheet). At least one person authorised to represent the branch must be an EEA national resident in an EEA state, or a person treated as equivalent under a treaty, and must be entered in the register (PGR Art. 236(3)).
Local representative or service address
Branches of foreign legal entities appoint an EEA national permanently resident in Liechtenstein as their representative towards the authorities; a domestic legal entity can take that role instead. With government consent the duty can be waived, for example where a domestic service address has been designated (PGR Art. 239).
Company name with suffix
The name contains the unchanged name of the parent and its place, the express designation as a branch and the place of the branch (PGR Art. 1015).
First entry like a head office
If the head office is outside the EEA, the entry of the first branch must match the form and content of a domestic head office entry, unless foreign law requires otherwise (fact sheet).
Step by step
01 Clarify the activity and permits
Which business purpose, does it need notification or a licence, and are permits from other offices needed? Regulated fields such as health professions or financial services sit outside the Office of Economic Affairs (LLV, setting up).02 Premises for the business
Running a trade requires business premises in Liechtenstein that suit the business purpose (Trade Act Art. 16). The application includes a site plan and a lease or equivalent document (Office of Economic Affairs). At In der Specki 3 this is possible by agreement with a Private Office or Full Desk and a domicile agreement.03 Appoint the people
An authorised representative with an EEA link, a local representative or service address, and a managing director under the Trade Act who actually works in the business premises in a leading role and holds registered signing authority (Trade Act Art. 17). We can offer or arrange the local representative or service address by agreement.04 Resolution and documents
The competent body of the parent resolves to set up the branch. Add a register extract, for a head office outside the EEA also the deed of formation and articles, and the declaration that the branch is independent (Office of Justice guide; form at the online counter).05 File with the commercial register
The filing goes to the Office of Justice. For a head office outside the EEA it states, among other things, the branch's name and address, its purpose, the parent's register and number, governing law, legal form, seat and capital, and the permanent representatives (guide, section 3.1). How signatures can be certified online is explained on our online notarisation page.06 Notify or apply for the trade licence
With the Office of Economic Affairs, which decides within three months at most after receiving the complete application (Office of Economic Affairs).
Official fees
| Item | Fee under the ordinance |
|---|---|
| First branch of a company with its head office abroad | Same fee as registering a head office. For an AG or GmbH that is CHF 700, plus 0.2 ‰ of capital above CHF 200,000, up to CHF 10,000 in total |
| Further branches in Liechtenstein | 50 % of the head office fee, at most CHF 2,500 |
| Changes to a branch entry | CHF 100 |
| Certification of one signature at the Office of Justice | CHF 10 |
Source: GbHr-GebV, Annex 2 A, B and C. The Office of Justice decides which category applies to your foreign legal form. The trade licence fee comes on top.
For companies from Switzerland
Liechtenstein is a member of the EEA, which links the 27 EU states with Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway in one single market with free movement of goods, persons, services and capital; Switzerland is the only EFTA state that does not take part (EEA Coordination Unit). For the register this means your branch is entered under the rules for a head office outside the EEA, with the parent's deed of formation and articles (PGR Art. 291b). Whether a branch or a subsidiary fits better depends on liability, tax and permits and belongs in professional advice.
Alternative: a Liechtenstein subsidiary
A branch is not a separate entity: the foreign company can be sued for all claims at the place of the branch (fact sheet). A GmbH subsidiary is its own legal person with at least CHF 10,000 share capital (PGR Art. 122). At least one board member with management authority needs a licence under the Trustee Act, with exceptions (PGR Art. 180a); a licensed Liechtenstein trustee costs about CHF 5,000 a year (guide value). Steps and documents: Form a GmbH, Form an AG or the overview Set up a company, every cost item with its source in the incorporation cost calculator.
Premises at In der Specki 3, Schaan
Looking for premises for your branch? The hub at In der Specki 3, 9494 Schaan offers these plans:
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Office | from CHF 549 / month | Private room for focus and privacy. Furnished & lockable, 1-4 people, company name on the door. |
| Full Desk | from CHF 299 / month | A dedicated desk with 24/7 access and lockable storage. 5 days per week. |
| Flex Desk | from CHF 169 / month | Hot-desk setup in the open community area. 3 days per week. |
| Day Pass / 5-Day Pass | CHF 35 / day · CHF 99 | One day in the open community area; the 5-Day Pass covers 5 freely selectable days within 2 months. |
Prices as published on digihub.li, as of 9 October 2026. We confirm availability and terms in person.
By agreement, In der Specki 3 can serve as the registered and business address and the business premises of your branch. The basis is a domicile agreement, optionally combined with a Private Office or Full Desk. We also offer or arrange the local representative or domestic service address under PGR Art. 239 by agreement. The Office of Economic Affairs checks whether the premises suit your business purpose (Trade Act Art. 16); the Office of Justice reviews the register entry. Without an agreement an address is not a registered office: see registered office and business address.
Orientation only, not legal or tax advice. The linked laws and the Office of Justice and Office of Economic Affairs are authoritative.
Content from digihub.li · reviewed 29 October 2026.