🛂 May I hold dual citizenship in Liechtenstein?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends on the direction: Liechtenstein nationals may take on a second citizenship, but whoever gets naturalised must give up the previous one. This asymmetry is set out in the Citizenship Act (BüG, LR 141.0). A Liechtensteiner who acquires a second passport abroad keeps theirs; children of mixed marriages may hold two citizenships too. Whoever, by contrast, is naturalised as a foreigner has had to renounce all other nationalities since 1920 — whether via the 30-year rule, marriage or the communal vote. The myth: 'Liechtenstein allows dual citizenship.' Only half — precisely not for the naturalised. A referendum sought to open this in 2020 and failed with 61.5 % No. Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship without restriction since 1992 — Liechtenstein does not.

📋 The rules

Nationals may hold two: Whoever is already a national and takes on a further nationality abroad does not lose the Liechtenstein one. Children of Liechtenstein-foreign marriages may hold two citizenships too.
The naturalised must renounce: Whoever acquires citizenship as a foreigner has had to give up their previous nationality (or nationalities) since 1920. This is set out in the Citizenship Act (LR 141.0).
Applies to every route: The renunciation is required in all naturalisation procedures — the 30-year rule, naturalisation through marriage and the ordinary procedure with a communal vote.
Voters said No in 2020: A change that would have allowed EU, EEA and Swiss nationals dual citizenship on naturalisation was rejected in 2020 by 10'262 to 6'417 votes (61.5 % No).
Same number, different policy: Like Switzerland, Liechtenstein has a Citizenship Act (BüG) under the systematic number 141.0 — Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship since 1992, Liechtenstein still demands renunciation.

🔓 Exceptions

Renunciation impossible or unreasonable: If a state does not permit release or it would be unreasonable, the giving-up of the previous nationality may exceptionally be waived.
Acquisition by operation of law: Foreign children of a Liechtenstein mother have had a claim to citizenship since 1997, without having to give up the other.
Loss after marriage: Whoever became a Liechtensteiner only through marriage can lose the citizenship again on annulment or divorce, provided this does not cause statelessness.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

The price of naturalisation is the old passport — and this renunciation is final. Whoever is naturalised must actually prove release from the previous nationality; without this step the naturalisation does not take effect or can be revoked. With the old passport one often loses more than expected: inheritance, property or pension rights in the country of origin, visa-free return, sometimes the right to vote there. Regaining the surrendered nationality is frequently difficult. Whoever conceals a second nationality on the application risks the naturalisation being annulled later for false information. And whoever renounces prematurely, before the naturalisation is secure, risks becoming temporarily stateless — which is why the authorities stagger the process carefully.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

May I as a Liechtensteiner hold a second passport?

Yes, whoever is already a national and acquires a further nationality abroad keeps the Liechtenstein one as well. Children of Liechtenstein-foreign marriages may likewise hold two citizenships from birth.

Must I give up my old passport if I get naturalised?

Yes, whoever acquires Liechtenstein citizenship as a foreigner has had to give up the previous one since 1920. This applies to every procedure, whether the 30-year rule, marriage or the communal vote.

Did Liechtenstein not introduce dual citizenship in 2020?

No, the proposal was clearly rejected in the 2020 referendum by about 61.5 percent No, specifically by 10'262 to 6'417 votes. The renunciation of the previous nationality on naturalisation therefore remains firmly in place.

Are there exceptions to the duty to renounce?

Yes, where a state does not permit release or it would be unreasonable, it can be waived. In addition, foreign children of a Liechtenstein mother have had a claim since 1997 without giving up the other nationality.

Is this like Switzerland?

No, Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship without restriction since 1992, including on naturalisation. Liechtenstein does have a Citizenship Act under the same number 141.0, but still demands renunciation.

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