The e-government strategy of Liechtenstein

April 2019

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Strategies and Action Plans

The E-Government Strategy of Liechtenstein (April 2019) outlines a comprehensive framework to digitise public administration and provide efficient, accessible, and secure digital services

Liechtenstein’s E-Government Strategy builds on the original 2008 strategy and aligns with the Tallinn Declaration on E-Government. It reflects the government’s broader vision as defined in the Digitale Agenda Liechtenstein (March 2019), emphasising cross-border connectivity, seamless access to administrative services, and full integration of digital tools in government functions. While e-services are prioritised, non-digital access remains available to ensure inclusiveness.

Vision and mission

  • Vision: Public institutions are digitally connected with citizens and businesses, allowing transparent, efficient, and cross-border service access.
  • Mission: The government uses digital technologies to transform the organisation and delivery of public services.

Guiding principles

The strategy is grounded in several foundational principles:

  • Digital-by-design: Processes are redesigned with a digital logic from the outset.
  • Once only: Citizens only need to provide data once, which is reused across services.
  • Digital-by-default: Digital, paperless processes become the norm.
  • Automation: Services are triggered automatically when possible, without formal applications.
  • Mobile-first: Services are optimised for mobile access.
  • Clarity and reduction: Clear, user-friendly language and minimal content are prioritised.
  • User-centricity: Services are built around the needs of citizens and businesses.

Strategic goals

The strategy defines four categories of goals:

1. Political and regulatory goals

  • Develop long-term strategies for digitisation across all policy areas.
  • Evaluate all legislative and project initiatives for digital viability and automation.
  • Continuously monitor and adapt legal frameworks to support e-government.

2. Digital service goals

  • Prioritise automation, simplification, and user-friendliness in key services.
  • Promote widespread use of a government-issued eID.
  • Enable secure digital delivery and access to public documents and services via citizen/business portals.

3. Data usage goals

  • Ensure exclusive digital handling of documents within public administration.
  • Embed data protection and cybersecurity in all systems (“security-by-design”).

4. Cooperation and transformation goals

  • Develop a secure collaboration platform (LiConnect) for government, business, and society.
  • Foster joint services between agencies and private entities.
  • Coordinate with EEA countries and Switzerland on interoperability.
  • Equip staff with digital skills and foster organisational readiness.

Implementation guidelines

The strategy emphasises:

  • Time- and Location-Independent Services: Allow access regardless of place or time.
  • Streamlined Processes: Enable efficient, end-to-end digital interactions.
  • Secure eID Usage: Ensure trusted digital identities for state and private use.
  • Interoperability: Adopt international standards for system compatibility.
  • Transparency: Strengthen public trust through open governance.
  • Robust Security: Guarantee high levels of data privacy and protection.

Action areas (handlungs­schwerpunkte)

1. Core e-government services

Key infrastructure includes eID, eSignature, eDelivery, ePayment, eInvoicing, and digital document management.

2. LiConnect

A unified platform for data exchange within the administration and with external stakeholders, governed by legislation or consent.

3. Citizen and business portals

  • Bürgerportal: Central access for citizens to personalised services and data.
  • Unternehmensportal: Similar platform for businesses, including delegation management and reporting consolidation.

4. Universal service counters (LLV Universalschalter)

Allow digital services to be accessed in person at administrative offices.

5. Digital literacy and culture

Staff receive targeted training and regular updates on national and international e-government developments.

6. Data security

Strict internal standards ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all digital systems. External systems interfacing with government services must meet the same standards.

7. Digital collaboration

Communication and document exchange across all state institutions occur digitally, eliminating paper-based processes.