Not tax or legal advice. This page sorts public sources, as of 1 Nov 2026. Whether and how any of it applies to you is a question for your tax adviser.
In short
- Austria is debating inheritance and wealth taxes. Parts of the opposition are calling for them; there is no majority for them in the National Council.
- On 25 Feb 2026 an urgent motion by the Greens for an inheritance and gift tax found no majority in the National Council. ÖVP, FPÖ and NEOS are against; the SPÖ considers it right but sees no majority.
- On 28 Apr 2026 Chancellor Stocker said the 2027/28 double budget contains no wealth tax and no inheritance tax.
- What is law, however, is the exit tax: under § 27(6) EStG, anyone who moves away is taxed on the growth in their capital assets, with deferral for moves to an EU/EEA state.
- Liechtenstein doesn't override Austrian rules. Whether and how the deferral applies to a move to Liechtenstein has to be checked case by case.
Status check 1 Nov 2026
What's being debated in Austria, and what applies?
Sorted, with sources. Called for means: there is a motion or a demand, but no majority and no government bill.
ATcalled for
Inheritance and gift tax
- 25 Feb 2026: urgent motion by the Greens in the National Council, no majority (Austrian Parliament, German).
- Finance Minister Marterbauer sees factual arguments rather in favour, but doesn't expect it to be implemented in this legislative period. State Secretary Pröll: not part of the government programme.
- 21 Oct 2026: new motion by the Greens in the finance committee, for inheritances of millions and with a substitute inheritance tax on private foundations (press release no. 998, German).
ATnot planned
Double budget 2027/28
- 28 Apr 2026: the federal government presents its double budget; according to Chancellor Stocker without wealth or inheritance tax (Federal Chancellery, German).
- According to the government, the aim is to exit the EU excessive deficit procedure.
ATlaw
Exit tax (§ 27(6) EStG)
- Moving away counts as a disposal if Austria loses its right to tax capital assets such as shares, funds or crypto (RIS, German).
- Special tax rate usually 27.5%.
- Moves to an EU/EEA state: on application, the tax is only assessed on an actual sale. A later move to a third country counts as a sale.
- In other cases, payment in instalments is provided for.
As of 1 Nov 2026. Demands, no bill. We will update this page when things change.
What it honestly means
Austria is a neighbour and partner in the EEA context. For founders, three things matter:
- A debate isn't a law. An inheritance tax is being called for; the government isn't planning one. Moving in a hurry because of it means planning on a headline.
- Substance, not a mailbox. An address alone is neither a residence nor a company seat. If you build something in Liechtenstein, you need a real presence: a registered company with its seat and desks on the ground, a team, and decisions made here. More: Substance in Liechtenstein.
- Moving away has rules. The exit tax already applies today. What a move means in practice: Moving from Austria to Liechtenstein. Double taxation questions come on top: Double taxation and Liechtenstein.
Why we still like talking about Liechtenstein: the environment is predictable. Founders plan in years, not in headline cycles.
Exit taxes in Europe compared
Almost everywhere, what grew in the old country is taxed. A short comparison as of 1 Nov 2026. Every country including wealth and data taxes: Tax news Europe.
| Country | Status 1 Nov 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Government bill, not law. 26% on unrealised gains from €800,000 in financial assets, resident 6 of 10 years, planned from 1 Jan 2027. | Il Sole 24 Ore |
| Germany | Law in force. From a 1% stake in a corporation and 7 of 12 years fully taxable: the gain in the shares is taxed on moving away. Instalments over seven years on application. | § 6 AStG (German) |
| France | Law in force, change at first reading. From €800,000 in securities, resident 6 of 10 years. Today the tax lapses after 2 or 5 years; on 30 Oct 2026 the Assemblée nationale adopted 15 years at first reading. | Amendment I-462 (French) |
| Norway | Law in force. Moves since 20 Mar 2024: unrealised gains above NOK 3m, payable within 12 years. | Skatteetaten |
| Belgium | Law in force since 2026. Exit tax as part of the 10% capital gains tax. Automatic deferral for EU and EEA states among others; not owed without a sale within 2 years. For Liechtenstein, check case by case. | SPF Finances (French) |
| Netherlands | Law in force for box 2. Leaving with a stake of 5% or more triggers a protective assessment (conserverende aanslag). Box 3 is being rebuilt; that is still in parliament. | Belastingdienst (Dutch) |
| Spain | Law in force. From €4m in shares and holdings, or more than 25% of a company worth more than €1m, resident 10 of 15 years. For moves to an EU or EEA state with exchange of information, by election only due on a sale within 10 years. For Liechtenstein, check case by case. | Art. 95 bis LIRPF (Spanish) |
| Austria | Law in force. Moving away counts as a disposal of capital assets, special rate 27.5%. For moves to an EU/EEA state, on application assessed only on an actual sale. For Liechtenstein, check case by case. | § 27(6) EStG (German) |
| Denmark | Law in force. From DKK 100,000 in shares and usually after 7 years of tax liability, gains count as realised on departure. Interest-free deferral; security required outside the EU and the Nordic countries. For Liechtenstein, check case by case. | Skattestyrelsen (Danish) |
| United Kingdom | No general exit tax. If you return within 5 years, gains made while abroad can be taxed (temporary non-residence). | gov.uk HS278 |
| Ireland | No general exit tax. Return rule for domiciled individuals after no more than 5 years away (holdings of 5% or more, or over €500,000). | Revenue s. 29A |
| Switzerland | No general exit tax for individuals. According to the Federal Department of Finance, the Federal Council considers one ruled out under the constitution. | Federal Department of Finance (German) |
The basics: Exit tax.
Liechtenstein in numbers
| Item | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 12.5%, since 2011 (Tax Act in force since 1 Jan 2011) | llv.li, gesetze.li SteG |
| Minimum corporate income tax | CHF 1,800 a year | llv.li |
| EEA | Member since 1995 | gesetze.li |
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) | – |
| Blockchain Act (TVTG) | in force since 2020 | gesetze.li |
| GmbH (LLC) | from CHF 10,000 share capital | GmbH fact sheet, llv.li |
| EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions | Liechtenstein is not on it (update 9 Oct 2026) | Council of the EU |
It's not a hack. It's boringly predictable, and that's the point. How incorporation works: GmbH formation in Liechtenstein.
digihub · In der Specki 3, Schaan
Substance means a real place to work
If you're looking at Liechtenstein seriously, you need more than an address: an office, people on the ground, decisions made here. At digihub in Schaan you get real desks, not a mailbox: coworking with a Flex Desk from CHF 169, a Full Desk from CHF 299 or a Private Office from CHF 549 a month, plus meeting room and community. A business address is available by agreement (Registered office & business address).
Come by for a coffee, and we'll see together whether Liechtenstein even makes sense for you.
Read next
- Tax news Europe: all countries at a glance
- Italy exit tax: what the draft says
- France exit tax: 15 years at first reading
- Norway exit tax: the 12-year rule
- Belgium: 10% capital gains tax and exit tax
- Netherlands: box 3 in parliament
- UK: Founders' Relief and non-dom
- Spain: solidarity tax and exit tax
- Switzerland: JUSO initiative rejected, what applies now
- Denmark: no wealth tax, inheritance duty proposed
- Ireland: 31% capital gains tax in Budget 2027
- Exit tax: the basics
- What does substance mean in Liechtenstein?
- GmbH formation in Liechtenstein
Sources
- Austrian Parliament: Greens call for inheritance and gift taxes (25 Feb 2026, German)
- Austrian Parliament: press release no. 998 (21 Oct 2026, German)
- Federal Chancellery: double budget 2027/28 (28 Apr 2026, German)
- RIS: § 27 EStG 1988 (German)
- llv.li: corporate income tax (German)
- Council of the EU: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, update 9 Oct 2026
- llv.li: GmbH fact sheet (German)
Not tax or legal advice. Orientation based on public sources, as of 1 Nov 2026. Legislation can change quickly. Please check your own case with a tax adviser or lawyer in Austria and Liechtenstein.
Content from digihub.li · reviewed 1 November 2026.