How to Get Liechtenstein CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 10 years
- Language
- Test or certificate
- Dual citizenship
- Citizens abroad only
- Civic test
- Required, with a test or certificate
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Partly accepted: for citizens who naturalise abroad onlyNew citizens must give up their previous citizenship.Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship.
- Available routes
- Region
- Europe
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
For foreign nationals living in Liechtenstein, this is the ordinary route based on residence. Liechtenstein allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
- Residence
- 10 years
Person has had 10 years of uninterrupted lawful and main residence in Liechtenstein.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship
Renunciation of another citizenship required.
- Language
- Required, with a test or certificate
Language test or certification required.
- Civic knowledge
- Required, with a test or certificate
Integration test required.
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Person must fulfil security requirements listed in LIE 4b.
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Person's livelihood must be sufficiently secured.
Marriage or civil partnership
For spouses of citizens of Liechtenstein, the rules below set out what this route requires. Liechtenstein requires an application, after which citizenship must be granted if conditions are fulfilled.
Person has been the spouse or registered partner for 5 years, or resided in Liechtenstein for 10 years before entering the marriage or registered partnership. Other condition: renunciation of citizenship of another country.
Descent (citizen parent)
This route covers children of a citizen of Liechtenstein, subject to the conditions below. No authority decides this matter, since citizenship follows directly from the law of Liechtenstein.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Liechtenstein to a citizen.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born abroad to a citizen.
Child of a new citizen
A parent acquiring citizenship of Liechtenstein is the basis of this route. Liechtenstein requires an application, after which citizenship must be granted if conditions are fulfilled.
Child is a minor whose parent is acquiring citizenship and the child has ordinary residence in Liechtenstein. Consent is required if the child is over the age of 15.
Adoption
This route covers people adopted by a citizen of Liechtenstein, subject to the conditions below. No authority decides this matter, since citizenship follows directly from the law of Liechtenstein.
Person is a child who has not yet reached the age of 10 and is adopted by a citizen.
Person is minor whose parent marries a citizen who adopts the minor child.
Residence during childhood
For people who spent part of their childhood in Liechtenstein, the rules below set out what applies. Liechtenstein requires an application, after which citizenship must be granted if conditions are fulfilled.
Person has had 30 years of uninterrupted lawful and main residence in Liechtenstein immediately before application, of which the years spent in the country under the age of 20 count as double. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Very long residence
For people who have lived in Liechtenstein for an extended period, the rules below set out what applies. Liechtenstein requires an application, after which citizenship must be granted if conditions are fulfilled.
Person has had 30 years of uninterrupted lawful and main residence in Liechtenstein immediately before application (years spent in the country under the age of 20 count as double). Other conditions: renunciation of another citizenship, language and integration test.
Stateless persons
For people without any citizenship, the rules below show what the law of Liechtenstein provides.
Foundlings
Person is found in Liechtenstein.
Otherwise stateless (born in country)
Person is born in Liechtenstein, has been stateless since birth and has not yet reached the age of 21 years, and has had at least 5 years of continuous legal and main residence in the country.
Stateless persons
Person is a stateless minor who has been resident in Liechtenstein for 5 years.
Not available in Liechtenstein: Birth in the country, Other family members of citizens, Former citizens (reacquisition), Citizens of specific countries, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Refugees, Special achievements, Public or military service, Investment. Based on the GLOBALCIT coding of the law, updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
Liechtenstein accepts dual citizenship in one direction: citizens who naturalise abroad.
- New citizens
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship
Compare with neighbours
Among the 8 countries in Western Europe with a residence route, the most common requirement is 5 years, below the 10 years set by Liechtenstein.
Compare Liechtenstein with all countries in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Austria | 10 years | Test or certificate | Not accepted |
 Belgium | 5 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 France | 5 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 Germany | 5 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 Luxembourg | 5 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 Switzerland | 10 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 4(b)-4(e).
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Liechtenstein Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/liechtenstein/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/liechtenstein/">How to Get Liechtenstein Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become a citizen of Liechtenstein?
10 years of residence is required for ordinary naturalisation in Liechtenstein, plus further conditions.
Does Liechtenstein allow dual citizenship?
In part. The law of Liechtenstein accepts dual citizenship for its citizens who naturalise abroad, not generally for new citizens.
Do I need a language test for citizenship of Liechtenstein?
A language test or certificate forms part of the requirements for citizenship of Liechtenstein.
Is there a civic knowledge test for citizenship of Liechtenstein?
Applicants must pass a civic knowledge test or present a certificate for citizenship of Liechtenstein.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get citizenship of Liechtenstein?
The law of Liechtenstein requires renunciation of your current citizenship.
Can I get Liechtenstein citizenship by marriage?
Yes, the law of Liechtenstein has a route for spouses. Procedure: entitlement.
Can I get Liechtenstein citizenship by descent?
Yes. A child of a citizen can acquire citizenship of Liechtenstein by descent. Procedure: automatic.
Can I get Liechtenstein citizenship by investment?
No investment route is coded in the law of Liechtenstein.
Related pages
Also see: Liechtenstein passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.