What should frontier workers living in Austria working in Liechtenstein bear in mind?

British citizens working for companies in Liechtenstein who are resident in Austria should bear the following in mind:

Prior to the end of the transition periodTransition Period The transition period (also referred to as the implementation period) is the period following the UK's departure from the European Union (on 31.01.2020) until the end of 2020. An option to extend this period has not been taken up by the UK government., British citizens working in Liechtenstein residing in Austria were required to hold a GrenzgängermeldebestätigungGrenzgängermeldebestätigung The Grenzgängermeldebestätigung (GMB) is a permit for work issued by the authorities in Liechtenstein for EEA citizens resident in the EEA or Switzerland. There is no quota system for it. (GMBGrenzgängermeldebestätigung The Grenzgängermeldebestätigung (GMB) is a permit for work issued by the authorities in Liechtenstein for EEA citizens resident in the EEA or Switzerland. There is no quota system for it.) that were issued by the authorities in Liechtenstein for EEAEEA The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the 27 EU Member States as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The United Kingdom is not part of the EEA. citizens resident in the EEA or Switzerland. Such GMB cards can be continued to be held for as long as they remain in their current job, or where there is a move between jobs and employers without a break within Liechtenstein.

In the event of there being a break between jobs, then British citizens would revert to third country national3rd country nationals Third country nationals are citizens of non-EU/EEA countries. Residency and naturalisation procedures for third country nationals are more complicated than for citizens of EU Member States or EEA signatory states. (3CN3rd country nationals Third country nationals are citizens of non-EU/EEA countries. Residency and naturalisation procedures for third country nationals are more complicated than for citizens of EU Member States or EEA signatory states.) status and as a result of the loss of freedom of movement would be required to apply for a Grenzgängerbewilligung (G), which is available to non-EEA or non-Swiss citizens resident in the EEA (e.g. Austria) or Switzerland. There is no quota system in place for the GMB, whereas quotas applied for the G.

Any British Citizen moving to Austria now would have to apply for a residency visa as they would not be within the scope of the Withdrawal AgreementWithdrawal Agreement The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020.   If you are resident in Austria at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Austria.   Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations.   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-withdrawal-agreement-and-political-declaration  , as well as then also having to apply for a 3CN work visa to be able to work in Liechtenstein.

Further information can be obtained from the Ausländer- und Passamt of the Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung.

Ausländer- und Passamt (APA)
Städtle 38, FL-9490 Vaduz
Tel: +423 236 61 41
http://www.apa.llv.li

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By Michael Bailey

Naturalised Austrian born in SW England, studied in Scotland and living in Austria since 2000.