Main developments and key milestones (in reverse chronological order)

Last updated: October 2011

For the latest developments, see: ePractice news for eGovernment

Recent News

September 2011

The eGovernment Act (eGovG), the Amendment on Official Documents (ZustG), and the Act on the National Register of Persons (ZPRG) passed the second reading in the Parliament and will become law on 1 January 2012.

April 2011

The Government of Liechtenstein approves the consultation report on amending the law on the publication of legal acts at its meeting on 19 April 2011. The Official Gazette in Liechtenstein has been produced throughout the years on electronic storage media. Since 2006, besides the paper edition, the Official Gazette has also been available and updated daily in electronic form on the Internet, at the homepage of the Government Legal Services (Rechtsdienst der Regierung - RDR). In the future, the mere electronic publication of legislation on the Internet will become legally binding. The international trend will thus be taken into account.

January 2011

The existing solution for small and medium enterprises for electronic submission of payrolls has been extended to a general secure interface that allows even large companies to transmit their d ata to the IT-systems of the tax administration.

News 2010-2001

2010

• The 2010 census is offered on December 2010, based on services according to the IT and eGovernment strategy 2011, for the first time in electronic form. Its electronic form was used by more than 30 % of the survey participants and received a very good feedback.
• On 8 November 2010, the Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Her Serene Highness Princess Maria-Pia Kothbauer and the Section Chief of the relative Austrian Department Dr. Mathias Vogl sign a cooperation agreement for the development and operation of an infrastructure for passports and residence permits containing biometric data. Its aim is to achieve synergies for the development of the necessary systems through the increased use of biometrics for the reliable identification of persons.
• The Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Dr Klaus Tschütscher announces, on 24 June 2010, that the Austrian Federal Government has created the bases upon which the 'lisign' electronic identification and electronic signature solution of Liechtenstein can be legally recognised in Austria. This will allow the 'lisign' owners to use in the future the Austrian eGovernment services in addition to the ones provided by Liechtenstein.
• Launched on 19 May 2010 by the Government of Liechtenstein, the klimacode.li portal aims to raise awareness on energy efficiency and climate change. The platform serves as a social network and a useful tool for citizens to calculate online their own carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and eventually have a personal view on how the choices of their daily lives can impact on climate change. The platform also offers potential CO2 reduction measures which do not compromise citizens' quality of life. Its aims at establishing a low-carbon world economy on a global scale by joining all efforts, involving both individuals and large industries.

2009

On 13 February 2009, the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) publishes a first edition of comprehensive Country Reports on the status of Network and Information Security (NIS) in 30 European Countries (EU-27, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), including mapping of stakeholders and trends. The Country Reports are an assessment of the ongoing and planned activities of NIS in the countries involved. Although Institutions and responsibilities vary substantially from one country to another, general trends were identified, namely, the most important actors for defining NIS policies are: Governmental Organisations and Bodies, Public Network and Information Security Bodies, CERTs.

2008

• In November 2008, Liechtenstein joins the European Council’s Convention on Cybercrime and revises its legislation to align it with the provisions of this agreement. The Convention on Cybercrime, created by the Council of Europe, came into force in 2004; it is to date the only international treaty against Cybercrime. Accession to this Convention is also open to non members of the Council of Europe. This treaty aims to combat crimes relating to modern information technologies and seeks to harmonise national laws in this area. Liechtenstein focuses on penal code legislation concerning Cybercrime-related offences, such as copyright violations, computer fraud, child pornography and security violations of electronic networks.
• In the parliamentary session of September 2008, the Parliament of the Principality of Liechtenstein adopts a partial revision of the Data Protection Act bringing the law in line with EU agreements. According to the revised law, data protection will be under the jurisdiction of the Principality’s Parliament, which will also elect the Data Protection Commissioner. This lays emphasis on the independence of data protection from the Executive and underlines data protection’s main role to ensure the protection of personal rights, as well as the respect for privacy.
• The Parliament during a public session adopts, on 29 May 2008, the IT and eGovernment strategy 2011 (BuA 47/2008). The report and motion (BuA) put to Parliament, analyses the current eGovernment status in Liechtenstein and provides detailed presentations both of strategy implementation and of individual projects. It explains the goals and the underlying needs for eGovernment. The aim is to have created a wide range of user-friendly basic services by 2011.

2007

• In October 2007, Liechtenstein's Data Protection Officeissues the 'Guidelines on Video Surveillance by the Authorities'. The document is intended to support authorities' decisions related to the application of video surveillance measures. Video surveillance is considered to be an intrusion of privacy; freedoms of assembly, expression and movement are also affected. Video should, thus, be installed only in cases that the risks are serious enough to justify its use. Otherwise, suggested alternatives are to be taken into account: eliminating blind corners; improving street lighting; installing movement sensors and alarms; hiring wardens or stepping up police patrols; putting in meeting points phone booths; and promoting neighbourhood social work.
• In June 2007, the Newsletter Service of the National Administration Portal of Liechtenstein is enhanced to provide information on government reports, applications to the Diet, Diet protocols and draft legislation. In addition, the newsletter now provides information in the areas of workplace, health promotion and on the hiking trails' network in Liechtenstein.

• On 1 April 2007, a new section dedicated to the Government of Liechtenstein is introduced on the National Administration Portal ( LLV eGovernment Portal). Available under www.rfl.llv.li, the new section provides comprehensive information on the organisation and responsibilities of the various governmental departments, as well as information on the Members of Government.

  The Principality of Liechtenstein also launches, in April 2007, a new on-line tax declaration service. The new service-www.steuererklaerung.llv.li-will be available to private individuals and legal entities for the electronic calculation of taxes due and, the submission of tax declarations. The system automatically calculates totals and deductibles, transfers all data from supplementary forms to the main one and works out the tax due. The results are electronically archived for future reference.

• In January 2007, the new electronic telephone book service introduced features online search for the internal telephone numbers of the Public Administration. The service offers various search methods and provides an easy and quick way to locate the desired information. Online data and PDF documents are subjects of respective, daily and weekly updates by the Office of Human and Administrative Resources, guaranteeing the provision of accurate and up-to-date information.

2006

• On 26 October 2006, Liechtenstein starts issuing biometric passports (ePass). The new passports look the same as the conventional ones and contain an extra thin electronic microchip inclusive antenna. The owner’s personal data printed on the passport are also stored on the microchip, including a passport photograph in digital format.
• In February 2006, the country’s Data Protection Act is supplemented by a regulation (register number 235 111) on the use of personal data by the police for cases related to terrorism, national security and crime prevention.

2004

In September 2004, the substantially revised National Administration Portal of Liechtenstein (LLV eGovernment Portal) becomes operational. Its new structure facilitates the clear presentation and convenient retrieval of information. The portal is divided into four main areas: 'Life topics', 'Online counter', 'Authorities' and 'Portal Services'. Further highlights include a sitemap enabling a quick overview over the portal, and a section where administration-related vocabulary is coherently explained.

2003

In January 2003, the official National Administration Portal of Liechtenstein (LLV eGovernment Portal) becomes operational. The portal covers all matters of citizens-state and businesses-state interaction. Besides others, it provides public access to geographic information declared as public by law.

2002

In January 2002, the public launch of the portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein takes place.

2001

• In November 2001, Liechtenstein develops a special 'eLiechtenstein Plan', as part of a strategic report on eGovernment published by the Government. The plan foresees the realisation of an Internet portal, aiming at presenting the principality in a comprehensive manner, and providing political, economic, cultural, historical and tourist information.
• In July 2001, the Government decides to participate in a project for an Internet portal (www.liechtenstein.li) launched by the Prince of Liechtenstein. The Government also provides a legal framework for eCommerce.