Liechtenstein Facts and Culture

What is Liechtenstein famous for?

• Cultural Attributes: Liechtensteiners have a strong musical tradition. Brass bands and vocal ensembles are common in rural ares while the cities have... More
• Family: Most Liechtensteiners marry in their late twenties preferring to complete their schooling before marriage. The average family has two children.... More
• Personal Apperance: Neat, conservative, Western style clothing is common. Trachten the the traditional costumes are only worn for festivals or special occasions.... More
• Recreation: Over a third of the population belongs to the National Sports Union and many Liechtensteiners enjoy sports such as nighttime... More
• Food and Recipes: For breakfast zmorga or breakfast coffee with bread and jam are commonly eaten. Zmittag or the midday meal is the main... More

What is the capital of Liechtenstein?

Capital	Vaduz
Government Type	constitutional monarchy
Currency	Swiss Franc (CHF)
Total Area	62 Square Miles 160 Square Kilometers
Location	Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Language	German (official), Alemannic dialect
GDP - real growth rate	1.8%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$89,400.00 (USD)

What is the population of Liechtenstein?

Ethnic Groups	Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%
Nationality Noun	Liechtensteiner(s)
Population	39,137
Population Growth Rate	0.81%
Population in Major Urban Areas	VADUZ (capital) 5,000
Urban Population	14.400000

What type of government does Liechtenstein have?

Executive Branch	chief of state: Prince HANS-ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent and Regent of Liechtenstein Prince ALOIS (son of the monarch, born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but Prince HANS-ADAM II retains status of chief of state head of government: Prime Minister Daniel RISCH; Deputy Prime Minister Sabine MONAUNI (both since 25 March 2021) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in Parliament usually appointed the head of government by the monarch, and the leader of the largest minority party in Parliament usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Citizenship	citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
National Holiday	National Day, 15 August (1940); note - a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince FRANZ JOSEF II (1906-1989) whose birth fell on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday by law in 1990
Constitution	history: previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921 amendments: proposed by Parliament, by the reigning prince (in the form of "Government" proposals), by petition of at least 1,500 qualified voters, or by at least four communes; passage requires unanimous approval of Parliament members in one sitting or three-quarters majority vote in two successive sittings; referendum required only if petitioned by at least 1,500 voters or by at least four communes; passage by referendum requires absolute majority of votes cast; amended many times, last in 2020
Independence	23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire); 24 August 1866 (independence from the German Confederation)

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What environmental issues does Liechtenstein have?

Climate	continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Border Countries	Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
Environment - Current Issues	NA
Environment - International Agreements	party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Terrain	mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third

How big is the Liechtenstein economy?

Economic Overview	Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on income is applied - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany and the US - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents.
Industries	electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Currency Name and Code	Swiss Franc (CHF)
Export Partners	EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%
Import Partners	EU, Switzerland

What current events are happening in Liechtenstein?
Source: Google News

What makes Liechtenstein a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a hereditary monarchy based on democratic and parliamentary foundations. The country lies between Austria and Switzerland on the eastern bank of the Rhine River, which forms the border with Switzerland.

Crime

Liechtenstein has a low rate of violent crime. However, crimes of all types which may include violence do occur. Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are the most common and frequently occur in the vicinity of train and bus stations, airports close to Liechtenstein and some public parks, especially during peak tourist periods (such as summer and Christmas). Take sensible precautions to protect your passport and money. Be especially vigilant in regional airports and railway stations, as these locations experience multiple incidents of petty theft almost every day.

You should be careful on trains, especially on overnight trains to neighboring countries. Thieves, who steal from passengers while they sleep, can enter even locked sleeping compartments. Thieves have been known to work in pairs to target train passengers; while one member of the pair creates a diversion at a train window or on a platform, the other steals items you have left briefly unattended.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

The local equivalent to “911” emergency line in Liechtenstein is “144.” Dial 112 for health emergencies, dial 117 for the police, dial 118 for fire /oil or chemical accidents.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Liechtenstein, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense; the legal tolerance for driving is 0.05% blood alcohol content (whereas the legal limit in the United States is 0.08%).

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. In Liechtenstein, this is a serious criminal offense, and offenders will be placed directly in police custody. If you break local laws in Liechtenstein, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not, wherever you go.

Persons violating Liechtenstein laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Liechtenstein are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in Liechtenstein: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the U.S. Embassy in Bern as soon as you are arrested or detained in Liechtenstein.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical care in Liechtenstein is good. For serious illnesses or complicated bone fractures, patients are transferred to the appropriate specialized hospitals in Switzerland and Austria. Over-the-counter medicine is available at pharmacies, and a pharmacist is on call 24/7. Information regarding the pharmacy and pharmacist on duty is given over the medical emergency telephone line by dialing 144.

Safety and Security

Liechtenstein remains largely free of terrorist incidents; however, like other countries in the Schengen area, Liechtenstein’s open borders with Western Europe allow for the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country anonymously. You should remain vigilant with regard to your personal security and keep abreast with local events.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Liechtenstein, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Although many roads are mountainous and winding, Liechtenstein road-safety standards are high. Public transportation in Liechtenstein is excellent. There is an extensive bus network that connects the capital, Vaduz with the bus and railway stations in Sargans and Buchs (St. Gallen), Switzerland, and Feldkirch, Austria. In some mountain areas, vehicle snow chains are required in winter. Road travel can be more dangerous during summer, winter holidays, the Easter break, and Whitsunday weekend (late spring) because of increased traffic. If you plan to travel to Liechtenstein via the motorways in Switzerland and Austria, you must purchase and display a motorway sticker (“vignette”) or encounter large on-the-spot fines in these countries. Travel on expressways (indicated by green signs with a white expressway symbol) requires purchase of a vignette, which must be affixed to the car’s windshield.