Who may vote and take part in referendums in Liechtenstein?
Only Liechtenstein nationals resident in the country who have completed their 18th year may vote and take part in referendums. This is set out in Article 29(2) of the Constitution; the voting age was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2000. Foreigners have no right to vote — neither at national nor at communal level — even though around a third of the population holds no Liechtenstein passport. The myth: 'EU citizens can at least vote in the commune.' Wrong — Liechtenstein is not in the EU, and the communal vote is reserved for nationals. Women received the national vote only in 1984, as the last country in Europe, by a wafer-thin 119-vote margin. Unlike some Swiss communes, Liechtenstein does not let foreigners take part.
📋 The rules
- Only nationals aged 18: Under Article 29(2) of the Constitution the right to vote and take part in referendums belongs to all nationals resident in the country who have completed their 18th year. Until 2000 the limit was 20.
- No rights for foreigners: Around a third of residents hold no Liechtenstein passport and may therefore vote neither at national nor at communal level. Only naturalisation opens political rights.
- Women's suffrage only in 1984: National women's suffrage was introduced on 1 July 1984 — by roughly 2'370 to 2'251 votes, a 119-vote lead. Liechtenstein was thus the last country in Europe.
- Communes followed hesitantly: Individual communes introduced communal women's suffrage only in 1986, after the Constitutional Court obliged them to do so.
- Strong direct democracy: Citizens can co-decide through initiative and referendum (from 1'000 signatures for a law, 1,500 for constitutional amendments) — alongside which the Prince has far-reaching powers.
🔓 Exceptions
- Residence in the country required: The right to vote is tied to residence in Liechtenstein. Liechtensteiners abroad without residence in the country are in principle excluded from voting.
- Exclusion in individual cases: Whoever is excluded from the franchise for the reasons named in the law loses it despite citizenship and age — the cases are narrowly defined.
- New citizens straight in: Whoever is naturalised gains full political rights with the oath of allegiance — the only way for newcomers to take part at all.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no compulsory voting — whoever does not vote pays no fine. Punishable, by contrast, is whoever votes without entitlement, votes improperly for others or falsifies a result: such electoral offences are pursued under criminal law. The real 'price' lies elsewhere and falls on foreigners: roughly two thirds of non-citizens may have their say but not decide — they pay taxes and levies without being able to influence parliament or ballot measures. The only way out, naturalisation, is deliberately set high and often demands 30 years of residence or a communal vote. Less obvious: even the eligible reach limits, because the Prince can sanction laws and dissolve parliament — the popular rights are strong, but not all-powerful.
📎 Official sources
- Constitution of Liechtenstein — Art. 29 franchise (constitutional commentary) →
- Historisches Lexikon — women's suffrage 1984 →
- Abstimmungen Liechtenstein — referendums and elections (national administration) →
❓ Frequently asked
From what age may one vote in Liechtenstein?
The right to vote and take part in referendums exists from the completed 18th year for nationals resident in the country, under Article 29 of the Constitution. Until the year 2000 the age limit was still 20, and before that even 21.
May foreigners vote in Liechtenstein?
No, whoever holds no Liechtenstein passport may vote neither at national nor at communal level. This affects around a third of the population, which can gain political rights only through naturalisation.
Since when may women vote in Liechtenstein?
National women's suffrage was introduced only on 1 July 1984, by a wafer-thin lead of just 119 votes, 2'370 to 2'251. Liechtenstein was thereby the last country in Europe to grant women the vote.
Can EU citizens at least vote in the commune?
No, Liechtenstein is not an EU member, and the communal vote is reserved for nationals alone. Unlike some Swiss communes, Liechtenstein does not let resident foreigners take part at any level.
What can I directly bring about as an eligible voter?
Through initiative and referendum citizens can propose or fight laws, from 1000 signatures for a law. However, the Prince can sanction proposals and dissolve parliament, so the popular rights have limits.
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