Consumer protection in Liechtenstein

The main legal basis includes the Konsumentenschutzgesetz (KSchG), the Fern- und Auswärtsgeschäfte-Gesetz (FAGG) and the Konsumentengewährleistungsgesetz (KonsGG). The KSchG covers consumer withdrawal rights, unfair contract terms, cost estimates, warranties and guarantees, deposits, instalment and consumer credit, and certain collective claims. The FAGG requires clear pre-contract information about the supplier, price and contract. Distance and off-premises contracts usually include a 14-day withdrawal right, with exceptions such as individually made goods, fully performed services after express consent and certain digital content. Contacting an authority does not replace a withdrawal deadline or other legal claim period. The KonsGG covers goods and digital services supplied for payment or in exchange for personal data. It requires contractual conformity and regulates provision, repair, replacement, price reduction and withdrawal when the legal conditions are met. Digital updates, compatibility and functionality can form part of the assessment. Electronic communications, healthcare services, financial services and gambling are governed by separate rules; electronic communications are handled under the KomG and its sector procedures. The Amt für Volkswirtschaft, Fachbereich Konsumentenschutz, provides initial legal information, help with complaint letters and contact or mediation assistance. Appointments are arranged by telephone. This service does not file a lawsuit, represent a consumer in court or provide binding legal representation. The Schlichtungsstelle für Konsumentenangelegenheiten at the Amt für Volkswirtschaft is the general alternative dispute resolution body under the AStG. It is neutral, voluntary and usually free. It can generally consider a dispute between a consumer and a company when the consumer lives in Liechtenstein or another EEA state, the company is established in Liechtenstein, the contract is for payment and no other competent conciliation body applies. The consumer first complains to the company and then submits an application stating a specific claim. Proceedings are conducted in German. The general body does not cover healthcare services, immovable property or non-economic services of general interest, and it does not provide individual legal representation. No fixed general deadline for completing the proceedings has been established, so the underlying claim deadlines still need separate checking. Communications disputes can go to the Amt für Kommunikation under the KomG and AStG. Participation is voluntary for the company. Disputes below CHF 30 are generally excluded, an application normally has to be filed within one year after the complaint to the company, and the initiating contribution is CHF 50. Financial disputes may be submitted to the out-of-court Financial Services Conciliation Service. A complaint to the FMA, the Financial Market Authority, is additionally suitable for suspected supervisory breaches, unauthorised providers or systemic problems. The FMA does not decide private-law compensation claims, and a complaint does not suspend payment or limitation periods. The Liechtenstein government website may still refer to the European Union online dispute resolution platform, but that platform was discontinued on 20 July 2025. Current conciliation and consumer-redress bodies must be used instead. Travel package contracts and linked travel arrangements fall under the Pauschalreisegesetz (PRG) and Pauschalreiseverordnung (PRV), in force since 1 February 2020. Organisers, certain intermediaries and travel agents must provide insolvency protection so that payments can be recovered if the responsible company becomes insolvent. Contractual claims are directed to the company and, where appropriate, to a competent conciliation body or court. Under the Elektrizitätsmarktgesetz (EMG), household customers have a right to basic electricity supply and may choose domestic or foreign suppliers within the applicable rules. Contracts must provide transparent conditions, information and dispute-settlement arrangements. The law also recognises vulnerable customers and energy poverty. The Kommission für Energiemarktaufsicht acts as regulator. A separate local consumer helpdesk for energy matters has not been clearly established; consumers should first contact the supplier and then the competent energy regulator or use legal proceedings. The Amt für Lebensmittelkontrolle und Veterinärwesen (ALKVW) protects consumers against hazardous or misleading food and consumer products through official controls, warnings, recalls and product withdrawals. The LLV has professional responsibility for medicines. Healthcare service contracts are excluded from the general consumer conciliation body and require separate health or civil-law options. After internet or payment fraud, contact the bank or card provider immediately to secure or block the account or payment instrument. Preserve messages, receipts, account records and other evidence. A report can be made orally to the Landespolizei or in writing to the Staatsanwaltschaft; a lawyer may also help. The FMA is relevant when a regulated financial intermediary or an unauthorised provider is involved. Conciliation is not a substitute for a criminal report and applies only where there is also a specific civil-law contract claim. For an ordinary consumer dispute, check the contract, evidence and applicable deadline, complain to the supplier in writing, and then select the competent sector body, the general conciliation body, a court or a lawyer. The correct choice depends on the supplier, consumer residence, contract type, sector, language, claim and applicable costs.