Liechtenstein, known as the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a very small, landlocked country in the Central European Alps, nestled between Switzerland and Austria. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, yet it is a very wealthy nation, characterised by high incomes, low taxes, a prosperous economy, and an excellent quality of life. Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy that's currently ruled by a prince, and is also known its picturesque Alpine landscapes. Its capital, Vaduz, is located along the Rhine River, that forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border. It serves as the political and cultural centre of Liechtenstein, known for Vaduz Castle; the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein that overlooks the city, hosts museums, government buildings and financial institutions.
Landslides, debris flows, floods and avalanches.
For traffic and driving violations, fines include the following:
You would likely encounter on-the-spot fines if you committed these offences. Enforcement of road rules is strict; even cameras or later notices can generate fines after you’ve left the country.
Other violations include:
The amount of one daily rate is determined based on the offender's personal income and economic capacity, ranging from a minimum of ₣15 to a maximum of ₣5,000 (~£14 - £4,697) for individuals. For legal entities, the daily rate is calculated as 1/360th of the annual earnings, with a minimum of ₣100 and a maximum of ₣15,000 (~£94 - £14,090). If a monetary penalty is deemed uncollectible, a substitute custodial sentence is imposed, where one day of imprisonment corresponds to two daily rates. Unpaid fines may lead to additional enforcement actions, or issues with future travel to Liechtenstein or neighbouring states.
The official languages of Liechtenstein are German and Swiss Standard German.
Driving is done on the right side of the road in Liechtenstein. The minimum driving age is 18, while the minimum renting age is 21. However, some rental companies would have drivers under 25 to pay a young driver surcharge and restrict certain vehicle classes from them. UK drivers aren't required to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Liechtenstein, unless they have an older paper licence or one from Crown Dependencies.
Roads are generally excellent with high safety standards, though most are mountainous, which makes them windy, and many can become challenging in winter with snow/ice, requiring snow chains, especially in mountainous areas. However, snow tires are not compulsory. Roads are generally quiet, but expect more traffic during peak holiday periods (summer, Easter, winter breaks), and if you're driving into the country from Switzerland or Austria, you may need to buy a motorway vignette for those countries before using their motorways. Also, disable any radar detection equipment (e.g., GPS) that detects speed cameras because they are illegal to use.
Unleaded petrol (95 RON & 98 RON) are the most common fuel and are widely available throughout Liechtenstein, including diesel. EV charging is increasingly available around big towns and cities like Vaduz and Schaan, but LPG is limited to some stations, but many tourists find it easier to fill LPG in Switzerland first. Most stations are self-service with most of them offering pay-at-pump options. Card is widely accepted, but it is useful to carry cash in case a machine doesn’t accept cards or for small in-shop purchases. Also, make sure your card works abroad and isn’t blocked for foreign transactions.
Because Liechtenstein is small and rural in parts, fuel stations aren’t as dense as in big countries, and can be scarce in small rural villages. It is recommended to fill up before leaving large towns/cities, especially when exploring mountain routes.
Liechtenstein has no motorways or dual carriageways, but there is the A13/E34 motorway that runs along the Swiss side of the Rhine River, but it doesn't cross the border. Despite that, there is a general speed limit for motorways/dual carriageways; 120 km/h (~75 mph).
The legal limit is 0.05%, but it's best to avoid driving after any alcohol consumption due to strict laws and enforcement.
Seatbelts must be worn by all occupants.
Children under 12 years or 150cm tall must be placed in a child restraint conforming with European safety standards.
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