Liechtenstein is a small Alpine country between Switzerland and Austria, but choosing where to live can still make a significant difference to your daily life. The country has 11 municipalities, each with its own combination of housing, landscape, services, transport connections, schools, workplaces and local atmosphere.
For people moving to Liechtenstein, the most commonly considered places include Vaduz, Schaan, Triesen, Balzers, Triesenberg, Mauren, Eschen and Ruggell. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize access to workplaces, family life, mountains, public transport, housing options, village atmosphere or proximity to Switzerland and Austria.
Liechtenstein has 11 municipalities: Vaduz, Triesen, Balzers, Triesenberg, Schaan, Planken, Eschen, Mauren, Gamprin, Ruggell and Schellenberg.
According to Liechtenstein's official statistics, around 63.6% of the country's permanent population lived in the Oberland in 2024, while 36.4% lived in the Unterland. Schaan, Vaduz and Triesen were the three largest municipalities by population.
Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein and one of the country's most prominent places for government, culture, tourism and business. It is home to the country's government institutions, museums and many important services.
For professionals who want to be close to government institutions, financial services, cultural attractions and central amenities, Vaduz can be a convenient place to live.
The municipality combines a relatively urban environment in the valley with residential areas extending toward the slopes of the Alps. Vaduz also has a particularly international population compared with several other municipalities.
Official statistics show that Vaduz had one of the country's highest shares of foreign nationals in 2024, at approximately 42%.
Suitable for:Schaan is the largest municipality in Liechtenstein by population and is an important residential and business center.
The municipality offers a combination of residential neighborhoods, businesses, services and access to transport connections. Its size means residents can find a broader range of everyday services than in some of the country's smaller villages.
Schaan can therefore be attractive to people who want a practical location with access to both employment and residential facilities while remaining close to the rest of the country.
According to official statistics, Schaan had approximately 6,290 residents at the end of 2024 and was the country's largest municipality by population.
Suitable for:Triesen is one of Liechtenstein's largest municipalities and lies directly next to Vaduz. Its location provides access to the capital while maintaining a more residential village character.
The municipality stretches from the Rhine Valley toward the mountain area, giving residents access to both valley infrastructure and Alpine surroundings.
Triesen is particularly relevant for people who want to live close to Vaduz without necessarily living directly in the capital.
Official municipal information records more than 5,600 residents, while national statistics place Triesen among the three largest municipalities in the country.
Suitable for:Triesenberg is located higher on the mountainside and has a very different character from the valley municipalities.
The municipality is associated with mountain scenery, hiking and traditional Alpine surroundings. It can appeal to residents who prioritize nature, views and a quieter environment over being in the center of the valley.
Official statistics put the municipality's central elevation at approximately 886 metres above sea level, substantially higher than the valley municipalities.
The municipality also provides access toward Liechtenstein's mountain resort areas, including Malbun.
Suitable for:Balzers is located in the southern part of Liechtenstein near the Swiss border. It has a strong residential character and combines village life with access to the Rhine Valley transport network.
The municipality is also known for Gutenberg Castle and its surrounding historic landscape.
For people working in southern Liechtenstein or commuting toward Switzerland, Balzers can be an important location to consider.
Suitable for:Mauren is located in northern Liechtenstein and includes the locality of Schaanwald. It combines residential areas with access to countryside and nearby mountain landscapes.
Mauren can be particularly relevant for people working in the northern part of Liechtenstein or those who regularly travel toward Austria.
The municipality had 4,664 residents at the beginning of 2026 according to municipal figures, including residents in Mauren and Schaanwald.
Suitable for:Eschen is one of the larger municipalities in Liechtenstein's Unterland. It provides a residential environment with access to local services, employment areas and neighboring municipalities.
Its location can be useful for residents who want to live in the northern part of the country while remaining connected to the wider Rhine Valley.
Suitable for:Ruggell is Liechtenstein's northernmost municipality and is located in the country's lowland area.
It has a quieter residential character and provides access to the natural landscape of northern Liechtenstein. The Ruggeller Riet nature area is one of the notable natural landscapes in this part of the country.
Ruggell can be particularly interesting for people who prefer a smaller municipality and want to live in the northern part of Liechtenstein.
Suitable for:Planken is one of Liechtenstein's smallest municipalities and is located on the mountainside above the Rhine Valley.
Its small size and elevated location give it a distinctly residential and rural character. It may appeal to people who value peace, scenery and a close connection to nature.
Official statistics show that Planken has one of the smallest populations and the highest share of detached houses among Liechtenstein's municipalities.
Suitable for:Schellenberg is located in the northern part of Liechtenstein on the eastern side of the Rhine Valley.
Its elevated position and relatively small population create a quieter atmosphere compared with the larger municipalities such as Schaan and Vaduz.
Schellenberg can be considered by residents who prefer countryside and hillside living while remaining connected to the rest of Liechtenstein.
Suitable for:Gamprin is a small municipality in the Unterland and includes the locality of Bendern.
It offers a quieter residential environment while remaining connected to nearby municipalities and the wider Rhine Valley.
Gamprin can be worth considering for people who prefer smaller communities rather than the more populated centers of Vaduz and Schaan.
Suitable for:Malbun deserves a special mention because it is one of Liechtenstein's best-known mountain destinations. However, it should not be confused with one of the country's 11 municipalities. Malbun is a mountain resort within the municipality of Triesenberg.
The official tourism organization describes Malbun as a year-round mountain destination at around 1,600 metres above sea level. It is known for skiing and winter activities as well as hiking and outdoor activities during the warmer months.
For permanent residents, Malbun represents a very different lifestyle from the Rhine Valley. It may appeal particularly to people who prioritize mountain surroundings and outdoor recreation.
| Municipality / Area | General Character | Potentially Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Vaduz | Capital, central, cultural and business-oriented | Professionals, expats, people wanting central access |
| Schaan | Large residential and business municipality | Families, professionals, everyday convenience |
| Triesen | Residential municipality close to Vaduz | Families and professionals |
| Triesenberg | Mountain municipality | Nature lovers, families, outdoor enthusiasts |
| Balzers | Southern residential municipality | Families and southern commuters |
| Mauren | Northern residential municipality | Families and people connected to Austria |
| Eschen | Important Unterland municipality | Families and northern workers |
| Ruggell | Quiet northern lowland municipality | Families and nature lovers |
| Planken | Small hillside municipality | People seeking quiet and mountain views |
| Schellenberg | Small hillside municipality | Families and nature-oriented residents |
| Gamprin | Small residential municipality | Families and people seeking a quieter environment |
Housing costs can vary between municipalities. Official Liechtenstein statistics report that the average gross monthly rent across all apartment sizes was CHF 1,747 in the 2020 housing census. A four-room apartment, the most common rental size, averaged CHF 1,963 per month at that time.
The same official data showed differences between municipalities. Average gross rents across all apartment sizes were above the national average in Planken, Ruggell, Vaduz and Schaan, while the other municipalities were below the national average. Triesenberg had the lowest average gross rent among the municipalities for which the relevant data were available.
The type of housing also differs between municipalities. According to the latest official building and housing statistics, 56.2% of buildings with residential use in Liechtenstein were single-family houses at the end of 2025.
The share was particularly high in smaller municipalities. Planken had the highest proportion of single-family houses at 73%, while Vaduz had the lowest at 39%. Vaduz also had a relatively high share of buildings with other uses, reflecting its role as the country's capital and an important location for workplaces and services.
Families may want to compare housing size, schools, childcare, access to everyday services, outdoor space and commuting times rather than simply looking for the most central municipality.
Municipalities such as Schaan, Triesen, Balzers, Mauren and Eschen provide a range of residential environments, while Triesenberg, Planken and Schellenberg offer more elevated and nature-oriented settings.
The best choice depends heavily on where parents work, where children attend school and whether the family prefers valley or mountain living.
For international professionals, Vaduz and Schaan are particularly important places to investigate because they are among the country's largest municipalities and contain significant concentrations of workplaces and services.
Triesen is another practical option for people who want to remain close to Vaduz while living in a more residential setting.
Liechtenstein also has a substantial foreign-resident population. In 2024, foreign nationals represented about 35% of the country's permanent population, with particularly high shares in Vaduz, Triesen, Schaan and Mauren.
If nature is a major priority, the choice changes considerably. Triesenberg, Planken and Schellenberg provide elevated settings, while the country's mountain areas provide direct access to hiking and other outdoor activities.
Malbun, within Triesenberg, is especially important for people interested in skiing, hiking and Alpine recreation. The official tourism organization describes it as a year-round destination with hiking, winter sports and family activities.
Because Liechtenstein is small, commuting between municipalities can often be practical. Nevertheless, your workplace should be one of the first factors you consider when selecting a home.
Expats should not limit their housing search to Vaduz. Liechtenstein's municipalities are close together, and the right choice may depend more on rent, housing availability, workplace location and preferred lifestyle than on the municipality's name.
The official integration platform for Liechtenstein also provides information about renting accommodation and points residents toward local housing listings. It notes that rental agreements can involve a deposit, operating costs and additional costs.
When searching for accommodation, compare the total monthly housing cost rather than looking only at the advertised base rent.
Not necessarily. Vaduz is the capital and an important center for government, culture and business, but Liechtenstein's small size means that residents can reasonably consider municipalities outside the capital.
Someone who wants mountain views may prefer Triesenberg or Planken. A family looking for a larger residential municipality may compare Schaan or Triesen. Someone working in the south may find Balzers more convenient, while a person working in the north may consider Mauren, Eschen or Ruggell.
The most suitable municipality therefore depends on your individual priorities rather than simply choosing the capital.
| Municipality | Location / Character |
|---|---|
| Vaduz | Capital and central Oberland municipality |
| Schaan | Largest municipality by population and major residential/business center |
| Triesen | Residential municipality next to Vaduz |
| Balzers | Southern municipality near Switzerland |
| Triesenberg | Mountain municipality with Alpine settlements and access to Malbun |
| Planken | Small elevated municipality |
| Eschen | Major Unterland municipality |
| Mauren | Northern municipality including Schaanwald |
| Gamprin | Small Unterland municipality including Bendern |
| Ruggell | Northernmost municipality and lowland area |
| Schellenberg | Small elevated municipality in northern Liechtenstein |