Facts & figures about Liechtenstein

Everything you need to know at a glance

Sweeping views from the hillside over the Rhine Valley with fields, villages and snow-capped mountains - a natural idyll in Liechtenstein

At the center of
Europe

The sixth smallest country in the world is located in the center of the European Alpine arc between Switzerland and Austria. Despite its manageable size, the Principality plays an important role as a business hub, financial center and tourist destination.

Population

Populationapprox. 40,000 (as of 2024)

Language: The official language is German. However, an Alemannic dialect is spoken.

Religion: 79% Roman Catholic, 8% Protestant, 13% other

Geography

Land area160 km²

Municipalities: 11

Main location: Vaduz

Topography: Lowest point: Ruggell Wetland 430 m above sea level.
Highest point: Grauspitz 2599 m above sea level.

National border: 76 km (border with Switzerland 41.1 km, border with Austria 34.9 km)

Largest extension: 24.6 km long and 12.4 km wide

Political structure

Form of governmentConstitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis

Head of statePrince Hans-Adam II.
In 2004, Hereditary Prince Alois was appointed deputy to Prince Hans-Adam II.

Government: Collegial government with five members

Parliament25 members from two constituencies, with a four-year legislative term

Economy and quality of life

EconomyLiechtenstein is an important financial center and a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is one of the highest in the world.

Number of companies: 5508

Number of employeesapprox. 43 000

Quality of lifeThanks to its high standard of living and stable political situation, Liechtenstein is one of the countries with the best quality of life in Europe.

More on liechtenstein-business.li

History

The area of today's principality has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age.

In 15 BC, it was conquered by the Romans and incorporated into the Roman province of Raetia. After Roman rule, the Rhaeto-Romanic area was Germanized under Frankish administration and the immigration of Alemanni. The present-day state was founded by the Princes of Liechtenstein through the purchase of the County of Vaduz (1712) and the Lordship of Schellenberg (1699). In 1719, the two territories were united and elevated to the status of an imperial principality. Since then, it has formed a separate state under the rule of the Princely House of Liechtenstein.

Even today, the country is still divided into two separate political constituencies, the uplands (south) and the Unterland (lowlands) (north), because of this historical division.

1342	The County of Vaduz is created
1396	The County of Vaduz becomes imperial
1699	Prince Johann Adam Andreas buys the Schellenberg estate
1712	Prince Johann Adam Andreas buys the County of Vaduz
1719	Elevation to the Principality of Liechtenstein
1806	Sovereignty through admission to the Confederation of the Rhine
1815	Joining the German Confederation
1852	Customs treaty with Austria
1862	The constitutional constitution comes into force
1868	Abolition of the Liechtenstein military
1919	Termination of the customs treaty with Austria
1921	The new constitution comes into force
1924	Customs treaty with Switzerland, introduction of the Swiss franc
1950	Member of the International Court of Justice in The Hague
1978	Member of the Council of Europe
1980	Currency treaty with Switzerland
1990	Liechtenstein becomes the 160th member of the UN
1991	Member of EFTA
1995	Accession to the European Economic Area (EEA)
1995	Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
1997	Establishment of the Archdiocese of Vaduz
1999	300 years of Unterland (lowlands)
2003	New constitution comes into force
2004	Hereditary Prince Alois is appointed deputy to Prince Hans-Adam II
2006	200 years of sovereignty
2012	300 years of the Liechtenstein Oberland
2019	300 years of the Principality of Liechtenstein
2024	Joining the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Good to know

Currency

The currency used in Liechtenstein is the Swiss franc (CHF). Euros are accepted in most places.

Time zone

Central European Time (GMT +1 hour), plus daylight saving time (+1 hour) from the last weekend in March to the last weekend in October.

Current voltage

220 Volt alternating current

Plug: Type J sockets are used in Liechtenstein. You can also use devices with a 2-pin Euro plug without an additional adapter.

Climate

In winter, the thermometer rarely drops below -15 degrees Celsius, while in summer the average temperatures fluctuate between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. Despite its mountainous location, the climate is rather mild and is strongly influenced by the south wind (Föhn).

Telephone

Area code: +423

Tips

Tipping is not obligatory. As a rule, however, they amount to 5-10 percent.

Shopping

General store opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 08.00-12.00 & 13.30-18.30
Saturday: 08.00-16.00

Souvenir stores

Open all year round (including Sundays and public holidays).

Popular souvenirs: wine, ceramics, stamps, confectionery, Swarovski crystal figurines, literature about Liechtenstein, watches, jewelry and much more.