The rules at a glance for Liechtenstein passport holders
New Zealand treats Liechtenstein as a visa-waiver country. That means you can arrive as a visitor for holidays, family visits or short business trips without going through a full visa application. What you do need is an NZeTA, the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. It has been compulsory for visa-waiver travellers since 1 October 2019.
The NZeTA is linked electronically to your passport. When you check in for your flight, the airline confirms that an approved NZeTA exists for that passport. If it does not, you can be refused boarding, even if you are already part-way through your journey.
Once approved, the NZeTA stays valid for up to two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first. You can use it for several trips during that time. Each stay can last up to 90 days.
Passport, not identity card
Many people in Liechtenstein travel around Europe with only their identity card. That does not work for New Zealand. You need a valid Liechtenstein passport, and it should remain valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
Renewing your passport soon? An NZeTA can't be moved to a new passport. If your passport is due to expire, renew it first and then apply for your NZeTA with the new passport number.
Liechtenstein has a large share of residents who are citizens of other countries, and many people cross the borders with Switzerland and Austria every day. Remember that eligibility depends on the passport you travel on. Swiss, Austrian and German citizens are also visa-waiver travellers and apply for an NZeTA in the same way. If you travel on a passport from a country outside the visa-waiver list, you will normally need a visitor visa instead.
Getting to New Zealand from Vaduz
Liechtenstein has no commercial airport, so most journeys start at Zurich Airport, about an hour or so away by road or rail. Some travellers use Munich, Friedrichshafen or other nearby airports instead. There are no nonstop flights from Europe to New Zealand, so expect at least one connection.
| Typical routing | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Zurich – Gulf hub – Auckland | Popular with travellers who want one stop. Check the transit rules of the hub airport. |
| Zurich – Singapore or another Asian hub – Auckland or Christchurch | A good choice if you want a stopover on the way. |
| Zurich – North America – Auckland | Transit through the United States usually requires an ESTA or US visa, which is separate from your NZeTA. |
The total journey often takes well over 24 hours. New Zealand is roughly 10 to 12 hours ahead of Central European Time, depending on daylight saving in each place, so plan for jet lag on your first days.
Applying online, step by step
Our online NZeTA application takes around ten minutes for one person. You can add up to ten travellers in the same application, which is handy for families and small groups.
Have your passport open in front of you
Copy your names, date of birth, passport number and expiry date exactly as printed. Umlauts are usually written without accents in the machine-readable line, so follow the passport.
Take a clear photo
A phone photo is fine. Face the camera against a plain, light background, without sunglasses or a hat.
Answer the declaration questions
You will be asked about your health, any criminal convictions and your previous travel history. Answer truthfully.
Choose a speed and pay
Pick normal, emergency or rush processing and pay by card. The fee includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
Start your NZeTA application from Liechtenstein
Processing usually takes up to 72 hours. Normal processing is 48–72 hours, emergency 24–48 hours and rush 12–24 hours. Prices for each option are shown on our NZeTA fees page.
What is allowed, and what is not
You can
- Travel as a tourist, from Fiordland to the Bay of Islands
- Visit relatives and friends
- Attend meetings, conferences or trade shows
- Take a short course of up to 3 months
- Transit through Auckland Airport
You can't
- Take up paid or unpaid work for a New Zealand employer
- Stay more than 90 days on one visit
- Travel mainly for medical treatment
- Use the NZeTA on a different passport
If you plan a longer stay or want to work, you will need a different type of visa. Our business visitor guide explains where the line sits for business travellers.
Planning around the seasons
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Alps. When winter arrives in Vaduz, New Zealand is enjoying summer, which makes December to February a popular time for hiking, lakes and long evenings. If you are a keen skier, the New Zealand ski season runs roughly from June to October, so you can enjoy snow while it is summer at home.
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are quieter and often cheaper. Your NZeTA covers any of these periods as long as it is valid on the day you arrive.
At the New Zealand border
An NZeTA lets you travel, but it is not a guarantee of entry. A border officer makes the final decision. Keep these ready:
- The Liechtenstein passport linked to your NZeTA
- A return or onward ticket
- Evidence of enough money for your stay, such as a credit card or bank statement
- Where you will stay, at least for the first nights
- Your New Zealand Traveller Declaration, completed before arrival
Declare food you are carrying. Alpine cheese, cured meats, honey and fresh fruit all need to be declared. Hiking boots and camping gear should be clean and free of soil.
When you are ready, apply for your NZeTA online and keep the confirmation email with your travel documents.
Questions and answers for Liechtenstein travellers
Yes. Liechtenstein passport holders can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa. You must still hold an approved NZeTA before you start your journey.
No. The identity card works for travel within Europe only. New Zealand requires a passport, and it must be the same passport you used for your NZeTA application.
The rules follow your passport, not your home address. Switzerland and Austria are also visa-waiver countries, so you still apply for an NZeTA, but you enter your Swiss or Austrian passport details.
Not if your NZeTA is still valid. It lasts up to 2 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner, and covers multiple visits.
You can attend meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and conferences. You cannot carry out paid work for a New Zealand business or install equipment on a work site without the right visa.
Apply at least 72 hours before your first flight. Many travellers apply as soon as their flights are booked, so there is no last-minute pressure.