EU Fund

The European Union uses funds as instruments to drive forward certain Union policies with financial support. The funds, each with a term of seven years, are designed for the duration of the EU's multiannual financial framework (currently 2021-2027).

As part of the Schengen association, Liechtenstein participates in the Schengen funds in the area of external borders and visas. The funds aim to achieve a high level of security in the EU, enable the free movement of persons within the EU, combat illegal migration and facilitate legal travel. The aim is to provide solidarity-based support to those Schengen states that bear high costs for the protection of the Schengen external borders due to their extensive sea and/or land borders and important international airports. A landlocked country such as Liechtenstein also benefits from effective, integrated border management at the Schengen external borders.

 

2014-2020: Internal Security Fund (ISF Borders)

The Internal Security Fund for External Borders and Visas (ISF Borders) was created for the 2014-2020 period. It was the successor instrument to the External Borders Fund. As was previously the case with the External Borders Fund, the ISF Borders supported Schengen states that bear high costs for the protection of the Schengen external borders with project-related funds.

The financial resources for the implementation of the fund amounted to 2.76 billion euros. Although the ISF Borders was designed as a solidarity fund, particularly for the protection of external borders, Liechtenstein was also entitled to funding as a landlocked country without external Schengen borders. These could be used in a targeted manner, in particular for the implementation of EU information systems (Schengen Information System [SIS], Entry/Exit System [EES], European Travel Information and Authorization System [ETIAS]), for the financing of a border guard expert who supported the Swiss Border Guard Corps in activities to protect the Schengen external borders, and to cover the administrative costs in Liechtenstein for the implementation of the national programme. Over the seven-year term of the fund, Liechtenstein contributed a total of 1.1 million euros.

Legal basis

• Regulation (EU) No. 515/2014 (ISF limits)
• Regulation (EU) No. 514/2014 (Horizontal Regulation)
• Supplementary agreement
   

Basic documents

• Liechtenstein National Program ISF Borders
• Funding regulations
   

Publicity

• List of beneficiaries
• Ex-post evaluation

2021-2027: Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI Fund)

As the ISF Borders reached the end of its term in 2020 (however, ongoing projects are still eligible for funding until 2023), a successor instrument - the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI Fund) - was established as part of the EU's new multiannual financial framework 2021-2027. Liechtenstein must also participate in this instrument as part of its association with Schengen/Dublin. The BMVI Fund is part of the Fund for Integrated Border Management and serves to further develop the common visa policy and to ensure integrated border management at the Schengen external borders. The BMVI Fund amounts to around 6.3 billion euros for a period of seven years.

Legal basis

• Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 (BMVI)

Links

• Border Management and Visa Instrument (2021-2027)
• A visual glimpse into the new 2021-2027 migration, borders and internal security funds Funding publications
• YouTube: New EU funds in the areas of migration and security 2021-2027