Liechtenstein

Principality of Liechtenstein

The last sovereign remnant of the Holy Roman Empire, Liechtenstein is a 160 km² principality integrated into the European internal market.

Erbe

The principality owes its existence to imperial law: the Liechtensteins bought in 1699 and 1712 two lordships held directly from the Emperor, the condition for a seat in the Diet. It is that medieval legal construct which, by accident of history, has survived to this day.

Geschichte

Created in 1719 by uniting the lordships of Schellenberg and Vaduz, the principality survived the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 by joining the Confederation of the Rhine and then the German Confederation. It is the only state issuing from the Empire to have kept its sovereignty.

After 1918 Liechtenstein broke its ties with Austria and turned to Switzerland: a customs union in 1923, the Swiss franc as currency, shared diplomatic representation.

Post-war industrialisation and an attractive tax regime took the country from an agricultural economy to one of the world's highest GDPs per capita. A member of the EEA since 1995 and of Schengen since 2011, it applies most internal market law without being a Union member.

Meilensteine

1719 Frühe Neuzeit

Creation of the principality

Emperor Charles VI raises the two lordships into an imperial principality.

1806 Frühe Neuzeit

Sovereignty acquired

The dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire leaves Liechtenstein fully sovereign.

1923 Zeitgeschichte

Customs union with Switzerland

The Swiss franc becomes official currency; Bern represents the principality abroad.

1984 Zeitgeschichte

Women’s suffrage

The last country in Europe to grant it, by a male-only referendum.

1995 Europäischer Aufbau

EEA accession

The principality joins the European internal market without entering the Union.

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