Liechtenstein in Europe’s fourth smallest country and borders Switzerland and Austria. It’s a country famous for its medieval castles and picturesque mountain villages. It’s also the world’s wealthiest country.
If you are considering moving to Liechtenstein, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Liechtenstein Facts:
- Population: 38,392 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:German
- GDP Per Capita:US$169,049.16 (2021)
- Christoph Zeller: The country has one billionaire – Christoph Zeller. His fortune, which he made through producing dental products, is 50% of Liechtenstein’s GDP.
- Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). As of 2022, CHF1= £0.87, US$1.07, €1.01, $1.43 (CAD), $1.56 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Liechtenstein
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Liechtenstein.
2. Liechtenstein Housing Costs
Monthly Rental Prices in Liechtenstein
- 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre: CHF981.00 – CHF1,500.00
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the city centre: CHF671.00–1,300.00
- 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre: CHF2,000.00 – CHF 2,451.00
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: CHF1,761.00 – CHF2,500.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in the city centre: CHF4,141.00 – CHF 7,058.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the city: CHF1,800.00 – CHF3,700.00
Source: Numbeo
Liechtenstein Housing Cost Comparison
Housing costs are not as high as one would expect for such a rich country. Housing is in short supply as Liechtenstein is a small country. The largest town is Vaduz with a population of 5,700 and, like other towns in this principality, it has a selection of apartments and houses to choose from.
Below are how rents in Liechtenstein compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 186.18% more expensive
United States is 332.43% more expensive
Canada is 208.61% more expensive
Australia is 231.90% more expensive
France is 132.18% more expensive
Spain is 97.21% more expensive
Italy is 88.40% more expensive
Germany is 138.75% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Sharing a room or flat with a flatmate or roommate is a good option to save on housing costs. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate: I roommates, Erasmusu, Expat, Roomlalaand WGZIMMER.
- Different areas – different prices. Liechtenstein is expensive in terms of cost of living but housing is affordable. Schaan, the largest city, and Vaduz the capital, along with other cities in the country are the most expensive for housing and living costs. Moving to the outskirts of towns or moving into rural areas lowers the cost of property rentals.
3. Liechtenstein Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Liechtenstein’s food is now heavily influenced by its neighbours but it continues to serve its own national dishes such as Hafalaab and Rebel. You’ll find a variety of food in country, with most of it is Germanic based.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: CHF15.00 – CHF50.00
- Domestic beer: CHF4.00 – CHF8.00
- Coke/Pepsi: CHF2.50 – CHF5.00
- 1L of milk: CHF1.28 – CHF2.00
- Loaf of Bread: CHF3.26 – CHF3.55
- 12 Eggs: CHF3.95 – CHF10.00
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: CHF9.00 – CHF10.40
- 1kg Beef: CHF14.00 – CHF32.00
- 1kg Apples: CHF3.00
- 1kg White Rice: –
Source: Numbeo
Below is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UKrestaurants are 34% cheaper and groceries are 40.18% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
- United State restaurants are 12% cheaper and groceries are 13.10% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
- Canada restaurants are 11% cheaper and groceries are 20.74% cheaper in Liechtenstein.
- Australia restaurants are 59% cheaper and groceries are 12.26% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
- France restaurants are32% cheaper and groceries are 20.87% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
- Spain restaurants are 00% cheaper and groceries are 50.33% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
- Italy restaurants are 10% cheaper and groceries are 36.86% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
- Germanyrestaurants are 74% cheaper and groceries are 38.36% cheaper than in Liechtenstein.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Liechtenstein has the usual western European supermarket chains, plus independently owned grocery stores. Popular supermarkets in Liechtenstein are Coop Supermarket, Denner Supermarket, Migros, SPAR Supermarketand Dornbirner Marktplatz.
- Find Cheap Eats: Dining out in Liechtenstein is expensive and being such a small country there are very few bargains to be had, Have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Trip Advisor, The Culture Trip, Wanderlog, Trafalgar, and AGODA
4. Liechtenstein Alcohol Costs
Liechtenstein has over 100 vineyards and has been producing wine for over 2,000 years. Beer also plays a part in Liechtenstein’s drinking culture and microbreweries are opening up everywhere. Sadly, alcohol is very expensive in bars, restaurants and shops.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: CHF5.00 – CHF 7.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: CHF4.00 – CHF8.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: CHF1.52 – CHF2.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: CHF1.50 – CHF 2.50
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: CHF8.88 – CHF15.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Liechtenstein
- Surf the internet, read local papers and flyers to find cheap drinks, in supermarkets, bars, clubs or restaurants
- Some bars and restaurants have happy hour where they offer cheaper alcoholic drinks in the early evening. Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – City Seeker, Happy Hour Vaduz, and Trip Advisor.
5. Liechtenstein Transportation Fares
LIEmobil buses are an excellent way to see Liechtenstein. They are reliable, affordable and cover the whole of the country. Have a look at the following site to learn more about the routes, timetables, and how to travel around Liechtenstein – Tourismus. The Austrian owned railway runs through Liechtenstein to Switzerland. Most of the trains don’t stop in Liechtenstein but a few early morning and evening trains do stop at three stations on weekdays only.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport: CHF4.21– CHF6.10
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): CHF50.00 – CHF99.70
- Taxi start (normal tariff): – CHF1.50
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): CHF1.00 – CHF1.06
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Always travel by LIEmobil bus transport services as they are cheaper and more reliable.
- Buy a one-day unlimited CHF15 ticket to travel across the country.
- Cycling is an option as long as you remember it’s a mountainous country
- Walking is popular and many people who live in the towns walk to work or the shops
6. Cost of Internet in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein has excellent internet. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from 2022 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- Starlink SpaceX– CHF92.54/Mo for 200 Mbit/s
- Ku-Band Juch-Tech– CHF102.87/Mo for 512 Kbit/s
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Liechtenstein has a continental, temperate alpine climate which varies considerably throughout the year. Summers in the country are pleasant and wet whereas the winters are snowy and cold. The summer temperature in Liechtenstein averages at around 21C and the average winter temperature is minus 1C. The average annual rainfall in the country is 965mm with June being the wettest month.
Below are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: CHF85.00 – CHF 88.04
- Summer Dress: CHF37.59 – CHF45.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): CHF80.00 – CHF120.00
- Business Shoes: CHF125.00 – CHF 149.87
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mines): CHF80
- Deodorant: CHF3.75
- Shampoo: CHF7
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): CHF2.00
- Gym membership per month: CHF65.00– CHF79.17
- Movie (cinema) ticket: CHF12.00 – CHF30.00
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Liechtenstein
Despite the excellent bus transport system in Liechtenstein, many people prefer to own and drive cars in the country. As of 2022, there are 36,723 private vehicles registered which equates to one vehicle per citizen. If you intend buying a vehicle it’s much cheaper to buy one in Austria or Germany.
If you live in the EU and have an EU driving licence, it’s valid for driving in Liechtenstein. If you live outside the EU, you’ll need to get an International Driving Licence. Have a look at the following site to learn more about driving in Liechtenstein – International Drivers Association.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Liechtenstein:
- Volkswagen Golf: CHF 23,742.47 – CHF26,899.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):CHF1.50 – CHF1.80
- Other fees (if any): Monthly cost of owning a car in Liechtenstein – CHF320.
Source: Expatistan
Ways to save money driving in Liechtenstein
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Car Sharing, and Ride Guru.
- Taxis can be a cheaper option, especially if you are parking all day. Try Ride Guruand Welcome.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Liechtenstein? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Liechtenstein
Tax on your income in Liechtenstein ranges from 5% to 7% depending on your salary. Refer to Tax Summaries for details. Liechtenstein does not have property taxes but income from property has a notional tax based on the net value of the property. For more information visit Nomad Capitalist. VAT is 7.7% on most goods and services with some items only attracting 2.5%.
10. Flight Costs from Liechtenstein
If you do make the move to Liechtenstein, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2022:
- London: CHF41
- Paris: CHF56
- New York: CHF321
- Los Angeles: CH450
- Toronto: CHF432
- Dubai: CHF216
- Sydney: CHF757
- Melbourne: CHF786
- Cape Town: CHF488
- Hong Kong: CHF462
Other Liechtenstein Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Liechtenstein. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Liechtenstein Alone
Moving abroad is stressful but moving alone can be exceptionally difficult. However, the beautiful countryside in Liechtenstein and the friendly people will help you ease into your new life. Below are a few tips about settling in Liechtenstein.
- Meetups:Connect with various groups in Liechtenstein through Meetup to find activities you enjoy.
- Attend local events: There is always something going on in Liechtenstein and many of the activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Gourmet Expedition, I Explore, Tourismus, Events in Liechtensteinand Gorfion.
12. Moving to Liechtenstein with a Family
Moving abroad with a family is exciting but can have many challenges. However, Liechtenstein has a lot to attract families – there are museums, parks, national parks, art galleries, hiking and skiing to name but a few.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Connect your families with various groups like Moms in Prayer and Meetup for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Everywhere in Liechtenstein is family friendly but, from a schooling perspective, it would probably be better to stay in or near one of the bigger towns.
- Find things to do with the kids:Liechtenstein has many things for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Big Brave Nomad, Tourismusu, Lonely Planet, Trip Advisor, and Tripelle.
13. Moving to Liechtenstein for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
Liechtenstein has jobs available for people in hospitality and tourism, banking, IT, viticulture, breweries and maintenance of ski slopes and seasonal ski instructors.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Liechtenstein, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: LinkedIn, Indeed, Working in Liechtenstein, Visa Hunterand Lay Board. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Liechtenstein from Australia
There are a few Australia are living in Liechtenstein. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Liechtenstein, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is 48,383 times bigger than Liechtenstein. The population of Australia is 25,890,773 whereas the population of Liechtenstein is 38,392.
- Join expat groups:MeetUp, Internations and Facebook offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Liechtenstein.
15. Moving to Liechtenstein from Canada
If you’re considering making the move from Canada to Liechtenstein here are a few things to consider.
- Size:Canada is 62,404 times bigger than Liechtenstein. The population of Canada is 38,929,902 whereas the population of Liechtenstein is 38,392.
- Expat groups:Should you decide to move to Leichtenstein, you can meet other expats through Internations and MeetUp.
16. Moving to Liechtenstein from the United Kingdom
There are a few people from the UK living in Liechtenstein. If you are moving from the UK and want to meet fellow Brits in Liechtenstein, then consider the following.
- Size: The UK is 1,523 times bigger than Liechtenstein. The population of the UK is 68,730,050 whereas the population of Liechtenstein is 38,392.
- Expat groups:Meet fellow Brits in Liechtenstein through Internations and MeetUp.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Liechtenstein you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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