EEA Agreement
Through the EEA, the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) and the three EEA/EFTA states (Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway) are united in a single market of over 452 million consumers, in which the same basic rules apply to all participating states. The citizens of all 30 EEA member states have the Legal Division to make use of the free Movement of Goods Division, the free Movement of Persons Division, the free Movement of Services Division and the free Movement of Capital Division (the so-called "4 fundamental freedoms"). In addition, Article 4 of the EEA Agreement prohibits any discrimination on the grounds of nationality (non-discrimination).
The EEA Agreement was signed in Porto on May 2, 1992 and approved by Parliament on October 21, 1992. After two positive referenda on December 13, 1992, and April 9, 1995, respectively, it entered into force for Liechtenstein on May 1, 1995.
General information
- Abkommen vom 2. Mai 1992 über den Europäischen Wirtschaftsraum (LR 0.110)
- EWR-Kurzinformation
- Berichte und Anträge mit Bezug zum EWR-Abkommen
- Rechenschaftbericht der Regierung an den Hohen Landtag - Präsidiales und Finanzen - Stabsstelle EWR, 2021
- EFTA-Sekretariat: European Economic Area (EEA) / Relations with the EU
Interactive web tools
EEA Enlargement
Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the EU 2020
Due to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) has only 27 member states (24 EU member states plus the three EEA/EFTA states Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway) since January 1, 2021.
On March 29, 2017, the United Kingdom notified the European Council of its intention to withdraw from the European Union pursuant to Article 50 of the EU Treaty ("Brexit"). The Withdrawal Agreement entered into force on February 1, 2020, having been agreed on October 17, 2019, together with the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future partnership between the EU and the United Kingdom.
- Abkommen über den Austritt des Vereinigten Königreichs Grossbritannien und Nordirland aus der Europäischen Union und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABl. C 384 I vom 12.11.2019, S. 1)
- Politische Erklärung zur Festlegung des Rahmens für die künftigen Beziehungen zwischen der Europäischen Union und dem Vereinigtem Königreich (ABL. C 384 I vom 12.11.2019, S. 178)
With Brexit, the United Kingdom will not only leave the EU, but also the European Economic Area (EEA) at the same time. The EEA withdrawal agreement was signed in London on January 28, 2020, and approved by Parliament on January 29, 2020. It has been provisionally applied since February 1, 2020. This is ensured by the Brexit Transition Act.
- Abkommen zwischen Island, dem Fürstentum Liechtenstein, dem Königreich Norwegen und dem Vereinigten Königreich Grossbritannien und Nordirland über den Austritt des Vereinigten Königreichs aus der Europäischen Union, dem EWR-Abkommen und anderen Abkommen, die zwischen dem Vereinigten Königreich und den EWR/EFTA-Staaten aufgrund der Mitgliedschaft des Vereinigten Königreichs in der Europäischen Union gelten (LGBl. 2020 Nr. 51)
- Gesetz vom 29. Januar 2020 für den Übergangszeitraum nach dem Austritt des Vereinigten Königreichs Grossbritannien und Nordirland aus der Europäischen Union und dem EWR-Abkommen und anderen Abkommen, die zwischen dem Vereinigten Königreich und den EWR/EFTA-Staaten aufgrund der Mitgliedschaft des Vereinigten Königreichs in der Europäischen Union gelten (LGBl. 2020 Nr. 50)
- Bericht und Antrag der Regierung an den Landtag des Fürstentums Liechtenstein betreffend den Austritt des Vereinigten Königreichs Grossbritannien und Nordirland aus der Europäischen Union und dem EWR-Abkommen (Nr. 139/2019)
EEA enlargement 2013
On July 1, 2013, the European Union (EU), and thus the European Economic Area (EEA) with Croatia, expanded from 27 to 28 member states (Art. 128 EEA Agreement).
The EEA Enlargement Agreement was signed in Brussels on April 11, 2014 and approved by Parliament on March 13, 2014. It has been provisionally applied since April 12, 2014.
EEA enlargement 2007
On January 1, 2007, the European Union (EU), and thus the European Economic Area (EEA), expanded from 25 to 27 member states with the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania (Art. 128 EEA Agreement).
The EEA Enlargement Agreement was signed in Brussels on July 25, 2007 and approved by Parliament on October 24, 2007. The instrument of ratification was deposited with the Council of the European Union on January 8, 2008. It has been provisionally applied since August 1, 2007, and entered into force for Liechtenstein on November 9, 2011.
- Übereinkommen über die Beteiligung der Republik Bulgarien und Rumäniens am Europäischen Wirtschaftsraum (LGBl. 2007 Nr. 352)
- Kundmachung vom 17. Januar 2012 betreffend das Inkrafttreten des Übereinkommens über die Beteiligung der Republik Bulgarien und Rumäniens am Europäischen Wirtschaftsraum (LGBl. 2012 Nr. 13)
EEA enlargement 2004
On May 1, 2004, the European Union (EU), and thus also the European Economic Area (EEA) with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus, expanded from 15 to 25 member states (Art. 128 EEA Agreement).
The EEA Enlargement Agreement was signed in Vaduz on November 11, 2003, and approved by Parliament on March 10, 2004. The instrument of ratification was deposited with the Council of the European Union on April 28, 2004. It has been provisionally applied since May 1, 2004, and entered into force for Liechtenstein on December 6, 2005.