Liechtenstein

Last Updated: 2026-03-31

Official Portal: Office of Civil Registry and Citizenship (Zivilstandsamt)

Embassy Finder: Liechtenstein Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	30 years of continuous lawful residence (10 years if married to a Liechtenstein citizen for 5+ years; years before age 20 count double)
Language requirement	German (official language; adequate command required)
Civics test	No formal national test; communal vote process assesses integration
Processing time	Variable; includes communal assembly vote (may take several years)
Naturalization fee	CHF varies by commune (can be several thousand CHF)
Dual citizenship	Permitted since 1 January 2000
Citizenship by birth in Liechtenstein	No jus soli
Citizenship by descent	Automatic for children of a Liechtenstein citizen parent
Governing law	Bürgerrechtsgesetz (Citizenship Act, LGBl. 1960, No. 23, as amended)

Dual Citizenship

Liechtenstein has permitted dual citizenship since 1 January 2000. Before that date, Liechtenstein citizens who acquired a foreign nationality lost their Liechtenstein citizenship automatically.

Since the 2000 reform:

Persons naturalizing in Liechtenstein are not required to renounce prior citizenships.
Liechtenstein citizens who acquire a foreign nationality retain their Liechtenstein citizenship.
No notification requirement exists when acquiring another nationality.

EEA note: Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen Area, but is not an EU member state. Citizens of Liechtenstein have the right to live and work throughout the EEA under the EEA Agreement, though Liechtenstein maintains special safeguards limiting EEA immigration due to its extremely small territory and population (approximately 39,000).

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Sanguinis Only)

Liechtenstein follows a pure jus sanguinis system. There is no jus soli — birth in Liechtenstein does not confer citizenship.

A child acquires Liechtenstein citizenship at birth if:

The father is a Liechtenstein citizen (whether the parents are married or unmarried, since the 2000 reform).
The mother is a Liechtenstein citizen (automatic since the 1974 gender equality reform; previously only through the father for married parents).

The child acquires citizenship regardless of where the birth occurs. For births abroad, registration with the Civil Registry is required.

By Descent

Liechtenstein citizenship passes through either parent with no explicit generational limit. However, the parent must have been a Liechtenstein citizen at the time of the child’s birth. Persons whose ancestors emigrated from Liechtenstein generations ago may need to document an unbroken chain of citizenship transmission.

Communal membership (Bürgerrecht): Every citizen of Liechtenstein also holds membership in a specific Gemeinde (commune). This communal Bürgerrecht is separate from national citizenship and is inherited through the father (or mother, in cases of single-parent families). Communal membership has practical implications, including voting rights in communal matters and eligibility for communal property distributions. It cannot be changed except through naturalization in a different commune.

By Adoption

A child under 18 adopted by a Liechtenstein citizen acquires Liechtenstein citizenship upon the finalization of the adoption under Liechtenstein law.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Liechtenstein citizen does not confer automatic citizenship. However, a foreign spouse may apply for naturalization under significantly reduced residency requirements:

10 years of continuous residence in Liechtenstein (instead of 30), AND
At least 5 years of marriage to the Liechtenstein citizen spouse.
The couple must be living together in Liechtenstein.
Must be approved by the communal assembly of the relevant Gemeinde (municipality).

By Naturalization

Naturalization in Liechtenstein involves a three-tier approval process: the communal assembly (Gemeinde), the national government, and the Princely House.

Requirement	Details
Lawful residence	30 years continuous residence (years before age 20 count double, effectively reducing the minimum to ~20 years for those arriving as children)
Language	Adequate command of German
Integration	Demonstrated social and cultural integration into Liechtenstein life
Financial self-sufficiency	Must be financially independent; no reliance on social assistance
Criminal record	Clean criminal record
Communal vote	Must be accepted by the communal assembly (Bürgerversammlung) of the Gemeinde where the applicant resides — this is a vote by the existing citizens
Renunciation	Not required (dual citizenship permitted since 2000)
Fee	Set by each commune; can range from several hundred to several thousand CHF

Key feature — the communal vote: Liechtenstein is one of the only countries where existing citizens of the local commune vote on whether to accept a naturalization applicant. This makes the process highly personal and dependent on the applicant’s reputation and integration within the community. Rejection by the communal assembly is final for that application cycle.

Reduced periods:

10 years for spouses of Liechtenstein citizens (with 5+ years of marriage).
Years before age 20 count double toward the 30-year requirement.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A Liechtenstein citizen may renounce citizenship by written declaration, provided:

The person holds another citizenship (renunciation cannot cause statelessness).
The renunciation is approved by the government.

Involuntary Loss

Since the 2000 reform, voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality no longer causes loss of Liechtenstein citizenship.

Remaining grounds for involuntary loss:

Citizenship obtained through fraud or false statements may be revoked.
A person who obtained citizenship through adoption may lose it if the adoption is annulled.

Restoration of Nationality

Former Liechtenstein citizens who lost citizenship under the pre-2000 rules (by acquiring a foreign nationality) may apply for re-naturalization. The process requires residence in Liechtenstein and approval through the communal vote, but the 30-year residency requirement may be waived or substantially reduced at the government’s discretion.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

A child found on Liechtenstein territory whose parents are unknown is presumed to be a Liechtenstein citizen until proven otherwise.
Stateless persons may apply for naturalization, but there is no accelerated pathway specifically for statelessness. The standard 30-year requirement applies, though the government has discretion to reduce it.
Liechtenstein is party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.

Document Checklist

Completed naturalization application (filed with the Gemeinde of residence)

Valid passport or travel document

Birth certificate (apostilled, with certified German translation)

Marriage certificate (if applying via spousal pathway)

Proof of 30 years continuous residence (or 10 years for spousal pathway)

Criminal background check from Liechtenstein and all countries of prior residence

Proof of financial self-sufficiency (employment contract, tax returns, bank statements)

Proof of German language proficiency

Evidence of social integration in the Gemeinde (community involvement, references)

Two biometric passport photos

Payment of communal naturalization fee

Sources

Bürgerrechtsgesetz (Citizenship Act) — LGBl. 1960 No. 23, as amended. Official law database of Liechtenstein. https://www.gesetze.li/
Zivilstandsamt (Office of Civil Registry and Citizenship) — Liechtenstein National Administration. https://www.llv.li/
Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein — Official portal. https://www.regierung.li/en/
Liechtenstein Diplomatic Missions — Ministry of Foreign Affairs. https://www.regierung.li/en/ministries/ministry-of-foreign-affairs/
Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Comparative citizenship law database, Liechtenstein country profile. https://globalcit.eu/

Liechtenstein.li

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