Costs in Liechtenstein

Housing costs vary by municipality, building age and size. In 2020, the average gross rent for all dwellings was CHF 1,747 per month, including CHF 1,652 for a three-room dwelling and CHF 1,963 for a four-room dwelling. The average net rent for a four-room dwelling was CHF 1,783. Average gross rent ranged from CHF 1,581 in Triesenberg to CHF 2,052 in Planken. Dwellings built between 2016 and 2020 averaged CHF 2,182, while dwellings built before 1919 averaged CHF 1,486. These figures describe the available 2020 rent data and should not be treated as a 2026 new-rental rate. A budget should also include additional costs, electricity, internet, insurance, furniture and moving expenses. The housing cost index without additional costs was CHF 13.20 per square metre per month in 2020. Families and single parents with dependent children may qualify for Mietbeiträge, housing-cost contributions. Eligibility includes at least one year of civil-law residence in Liechtenstein and depends on household income and size. The annual income limits listed by the LLV are CHF 58,355 for a two-person household, CHF 68,695 or CHF 68,965 for a three-person household depending on the applicable official figure, CHF 74,270 for four people, CHF 79,575 for five people and CHF 84,880 for six or more people. The contribution is paid from the month in which a complete application is submitted and can range approximately from CHF 233 to CHF 1,379 per month. The recognised housing standard is limited, including up to 3.5 rooms for two people and one additional room for each further person. Luxury housing and rent above the recognised level are excluded. Housing support for ownership can take the form of an interest-free loan of CHF 60,000 from at least 60 square metres, increased by CHF 1,000 per square metre up to CHF 150,000 at 150 square metres; repayment begins from the fifth year under the applicable conditions. Utility costs depend on consumption, tariff, heating system and municipality. The average 2025 electricity price was 24.7 rappen per kilowatt-hour for energy, supply and network charges, excluding the 1.5-rappen-per-kilowatt-hour support levy and VAT. Natural gas averaged 8.9 rappen per kilowatt-hour before the carbon levy and VAT; the carbon levy was 2.161 rappen per kilowatt-hour. Water and wastewater charges are generally set by municipalities or water utilities. Waste disposal follows the polluter-pays principle and local disposal fees apply. Food spending depends on household size, supermarket choices, restaurant use and the balance between local shopping, gastronomy, imports and cross-border purchases. Consumer prices rose by 0.2% on average in 2025. Higher housing rents, chocolate and restaurant or café meals contributed to price changes. Liechtenstein does not have a single official food basket or universal monthly food-budget figure, so households should record their own recurring purchases. Mobility costs differ sharply between public transport and private cars. A LIEmobil annual pass for the whole of Liechtenstein, including nearby cross-border destinations, costs CHF 370. A reduced pass costs CHF 280 when bought by the day before the 25th birthday, from age 65 or with IV status. A family pass costs CHF 740, and municipalities may reimburse up to 50%. Children travel free before their sixth birthday. The Bildungsabo is free for students and apprentices living in Liechtenstein until the end of their school or apprenticeship education; it covers 365 days, and a new application is required for each school year. Petrol prices fell in 2025, but car ownership has no single official flat cost because purchase, financing, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, parking and fuel depend on the vehicle and use. Compulsory health insurance, abbreviated as OKP, covers the legally required basic health-insurance system. Adults pay premiums set by the chosen insurer. Children are premium-free, and people aged 16 to 20 pay no more than 50% of the adult premium. From 1 January 2026, the employer contribution is CHF 180.50 per month for adults and CHF 90.25 for young people. Adult cost sharing includes an annual franchise of CHF 500 and a 20% share after the franchise until the high-cost limit of CHF 5,000. After the ordinary retirement age, the fixed franchise no longer applies and the cost share is 10% up to CHF 5,000. Children and young people up to age 20 are exempt from cost sharing. Prämienverbilligung, a premium reduction, may apply up to annual income of CHF 65,000 for a single person or single parent and CHF 77,000 for a married couple or cohabiting couple. The application deadline is 31 October. The subsidy is 70% at relevant income up to CHF 26,000 or CHF 37,000, depending on household category, and decreases linearly to 15% at the applicable income limit. Public kindergarten is generally free and usually lasts two years. Public primary school is free, while private schools charge tuition. Higher vocational education often takes place in Switzerland, Austria or Germany and can add tuition, travel, accommodation, food and learning-material costs. At the University of Liechtenstein, bachelor, master and doctoral studies cost CHF 950 per semester for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and for defined Liechtenstein residence or school-leaving qualification cases; other students pay CHF 1,250 per semester. The application fee is CHF 100. Scholarships and loans may contribute to tuition, accommodation, food, learning materials and travel under their conditions, including a possible living-cost allowance. Families may receive child allowances of CHF 310 per month per child, increasing to CHF 360 from age 10. The amount is CHF 360 for each child when more than two children qualify. Entitlement can depend on residence, employment or AHV contributions, and a difference payment may apply when a foreign benefit is lower. Professionally required external childcare has an income-based family contribution. The monthly parental contribution per child starts at CHF 150 for income up to CHF 24,000, rises to CHF 180 up to CHF 26,000 and CHF 210 up to CHF 28,000, then increases by CHF 30 for each additional CHF 2,000 of income. A hardship reduction may be available. Child support belongs to the separation of family obligations and costs rather than to a separate general living-cost allowance. Communication costs should be checked through the comparison tool of the Amt für Kommunikation. It compares standard internet, fixed-line and mobile offers in CHF per month including VAT, but excludes promotions and individual discounts. Prices should therefore be checked with the selected provider before they enter a household budget. Leisure costs depend on municipalities, clubs, institutions and providers. For example, the Kunstmuseum charges CHF 15 for regular admission and CHF 10 at the reduced rate in 2026; children up to age 16 enter free, and admission is free on Wednesdays. The ALL INCLUSIVE Erlebnispass starts at CHF 25 and includes numerous attractions and LIEmobil. Hiking and public activities can be inexpensive, while equipment, club fees, courses and admission charges vary. For income context, the median disposable household income was CHF 89,301 per year in 2023, and the median equivalised income was CHF 61,489. These figures describe income distribution, not a recommended cost level: 60.4% of households had annual income between CHF 30,001 and CHF 120,000, while 6.7% had less than CHF 30,000. Social assistance can support people in financial hardship with basic living needs, housing, health-related costs and premiums, but Liechtenstein has no single universal fixed subsistence amount. Banking, debt management and tax planning are separate subjects; they enter a living-cost calculation only where they directly change available income or recurring payments.