🇱🇮 How can I get naturalised in Liechtenstein?

With conditions

Quick answer

Possible yes, but hard — Liechtenstein has one of the strictest naturalisation regimes in Europe. The basis is the Citizenship Act (BüG, LR 141.0). A legal claim has existed since 2000 for whoever has lived in the country for 30 years, the last five continuously; the years up to the age of 20 count double. Without this period the ordinary procedure remains: the commune decides by vote on the communal citizenship — after ten years of residence — after which parliament and the Prince consent. The myth: 'After a few years you get the passport.' Wrong — without the 30-year or the marriage rule the neighbourhood decides at the ballot box. Since 2008 it also takes German at level B1, civics, good repute and solvency. And the previous passport must be given up — unlike in Switzerland.

📋 The rules

30-year rule as a claim: Since 2000 a legal claim exists for whoever lives in the country for 30 years, the last five continuously. The years up to the age of 20 count double, which shortens the period in practice.
Ordinary procedure with a popular vote: Without a claim the commune decides by vote on the communal citizenship — the condition is ten years of residence — after which parliament and the Prince follow. This route has become rare.
Naturalisation through marriage: Spouses and registered partners of nationals can be naturalised at the earliest five years after the marriage and with ten years of residence.
Language, civics, repute: Since 2008 the law requires of everyone German at level B1, knowledge of civics, good repute and solvency. Without communal citizenship there is no national citizenship.
The old passport must go: Whoever is naturalised must give up the previous nationality (BüG, LR 141.0). Switzerland requires only ten years and allows dual citizenship — Liechtenstein does not.

🔓 Exceptions

Stateless from birth: Whoever is stateless from birth and lives in the country for five years can be naturalised on facilitated terms up to the age of 21.
Re-naturalisation: Former Liechtensteiners and women who once lost citizenship through marriage to a foreigner can regain it on facilitated terms.
Honorary citizenship: The Prince can grant honorary national citizenship to especially deserving persons — usually without communal citizenship and without a residence requirement, but very rarely.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Naturalisation is not a form but a procedure with many hurdles — and costly setbacks. Whoever fails the German B1 or civics test is turned away. In the ordinary procedure the communal assembly decides: a No from the neighbours ends the application, without a court replacing the political decision. The communal fees are noticeable — Triesen, for instance, charged around CHF 3'000 in 2019. On top comes the renunciation of the previous passport with all its consequences for inheritance, property and pension rights in the country of origin. Whoever gives false information on the application or conceals a second nationality risks the naturalisation being revoked later. And whoever miscalculates the periods — such as the double-counting of the youth years — loses time and applies in vain.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

How long must I live in Liechtenstein to have a claim?

You have a legal claim to naturalisation after 30 years of residence, the last five continuously. The years spent up to the age of 20 count double, so that the period is shortened in practice.

What is the ordinary procedure with a communal vote?

Without a claim the commune decides by vote on the communal citizenship after ten years of residence. Only then do parliament and the Prince consent, which is why this route has become uncertain and rare.

Can I get naturalised faster through marriage?

Spouses and registered partners of nationals can be naturalised at the earliest five years after the marriage. In addition, ten years of residence in the country are required, and the previous nationality must still be given up.

Must I really give up my old passport?

Yes, whoever is naturalised must give up the previous nationality entirely. Unlike Switzerland, which allows dual citizenship, Liechtenstein demands this renunciation at every naturalisation without exception.

What knowledge is tested?

Since 2008 all applicants must prove German at level B1 and knowledge of civics, as well as good repute and solvency. Without the communal citizenship granted by a commune, no national citizenship is possible.

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