Liechtenstein is a bit of an anomaly because it is in the middle of Europe and yet it is not one of the 28 members of the European Union. It's very similar to its neighbor, Switzerland. You may have heard that the EU is strengthening its security procedures by introducing a new travel authorization system. This does not affect people in the EU, but it is likely to affect many non-EU passport holders at the beginning of 2020. Even if Liechtenstein is not in the EU, it will be affected. by the travel information authorization system. (ETIAS for short). Liechtenstein is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. The ETIAS system is not a full visa, but an online authorization obtained before the trip.
So why does Schengen make a difference?
The Schengen Agreement links a number of European countries, but not all, which prefer to have a common immigration policy. There are some Schengen countries (such as Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) that did not want to have full membership of the EU for various reasons. The ETIAS pre-authorization of travel, although it seems that it was developed by the European Commission will mainly affect the entry into the group of Schengen countries. That's why in a little over 3 years, if you want to go to Norway, or to Liechtenstein, and you are American (for example), it is very likely that you have to register online, pay € 5 and get Your ETIAS approval, which will be valid for up to five years depending on the expiry date of your passport.
Why visit Liechtenstein?
Liechtenstein is such an unusual little country with an intriguing history and fantastic landscapes that are well worth the detour, even though prices tend to be high. It has managed to maintain its independence despite the turmoil that has so long ravaged the surrounding region. It is a predominantly German-speaking country, but its strongest links are with Switzerland. He is making most of his money these days by providing banking facilities; once again rather like his neighbor.
If you do not do anything else in Liechtenstein, you can not miss the castle of Vaduz, the capital. The Vaduz Schloss (castle) is home to the royal family. You could even see them coming and going through the front door of the castle. As Liechtenstein is steeped in mountains, there are plenty of hiking (summer) and ski (winter) activities to keep you busy and away from all those tempting Vaduz restaurants.
Do I need a Liechtenstein ETIAS visa waiver?
You could, if you do not need a visa to travel to Europe at the moment, but are not a citizen of the EU or a citizen of a Schengen country. There are about 60 countries whose citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization at its official launch. At the moment, all you want to do is to visit Europe for a short stay (less than 90 days), make sure you have a valid passport and proof of travel or sufficient funds and your passport will be stamped. You can then visit any Schengen country for a total of 90 days out of 180. All that will change with Liechtenstein ETIAS is that you will have to provide some information about yourself on a 72-hour online form or more before the trip.