The Landesverfassung, adopted on 5 October 1921 and consolidated as of 1 January 2026, defines Liechtenstein's constitutional order. The Landesfürst is the head of state and exercises representation, appointment, sanction and emergency-decree powers within the limits of the constitution and law. The people exercise sovereign authority through political rights; election and voting procedures belong to the separate topic of elections. The Landtag has 25 members elected for four years. Fifteen seats represent the Oberland and ten represent the Unterland. It is a part-time parliament with responsibility for legislation, state treaties, the national budget, the selection of judges and oversight of the state administration. Its bodies include the Geschäftsprüfungskommission, the Finanzkommission, the EWR/Schengen-Kommission and the Richterauswahlgremium. The five-member Government consists of the Regierungschef and four Regierungsmitglieder. It is the highest executive authority and is accountable to both the Landtag and the Landesfürst. Ministries, offices and staff units carry out public tasks. The Regierungskanzlei publishes the Staatskalender, legislative documents, consultation papers and state publications, receives submissions and complaints, and handles various permits. Liechtenstein has two landscapes and eleven municipalities. The Oberland, also called Landschaft Vaduz, includes Vaduz, Balzers, Planken, Schaan, Triesen and Triesenberg. The Unterland, also called Landschaft Schellenberg, includes Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Ruggell and Schellenberg. The Gemeindeversammlung is the highest municipal body. The Gemeinderat and Gemeindevorsteher manage municipal affairs. Municipalities levy their own taxes and receive subsidies and equalisation payments. Municipal spatial planning can bind landowners. The Landesverwaltung may advise and support municipalities, while the Forum für Raum und Verkehr addresses matters involving several municipalities. The Landesverwaltung, commonly abbreviated as LLV, provides the central access point to public offices. Relevant bodies include the Amt für Justiz, Amt für Finanzen, Amt für Statistik, Amt für Informatik, Amt für Kommunikation, Amt für Bevölkerungsschutz, Landespolizei, Staatsanwaltschaft, Steuerverwaltung, Ausländer- und Passamt, Raumplanung, Umwelt, Tiefbau and Soziale Dienste. Services are available through llv.li and the Onlineschalter, my.llv.li, service counters and written submissions. my.llv.li uses the valid eID.li. A person without an eID can use the alternative access through the Servicecenter by appointment and with an identity document. Fees and deadlines depend on the specialist law and the responsible office. Liechtenstein publishes consolidated legislation free of charge through gesetze.li. The Landesgesetzblatt, abbreviated LGBl, is the authoritative publication organ. Signed electronic editions of the Landesgesetzblatt have been authentic since 1 January 2013. A paper edition can be obtained for a fee. German legal texts are binding; English translations serve only as information. The courts form a three-level ordinary judicial system: the Landgericht is the first instance, the Obergericht the second instance and the Oberste Gerichtshof the third and final instance. The Oberste Gerichtshof also functions as the Verwaltungsgerichtshof. The Staatsgerichtshof exercises constitutional jurisdiction. A court reform has applied since 1 January 2026. The Staatsanwaltschaft prosecutes criminal offences ex officio and is independent of the courts. The Richterauswahlgremium proposes judges: the Landesfürst chairs it and has a casting vote, while the Landtag and Government contribute members under the constitutional rules. The Landtag elects from the proposed candidates and the Landesfürst appoints them. The Amt für Finanzen coordinates the national budget. The Government submits the draft, and the Landtag adopts the budget and finance law. The national accounts include the operating account, investment account, balance sheet, cash-flow statement and notes; they may also cover public companies and funds. Publication with the accountability report normally takes place around the end of April. In 2025, the operating account recorded a result of CHF 331 million and the cash-flow statement showed an inflow of CHF 289 million. The financial position is very solid, although revenue volatility and spending pressures remain relevant risks. The Landtag and its Geschäftsprüfungskommission exercise supreme oversight over the Government and administration, including judicial administration. The Finanzkontrolle audits the national accounts and submits its report, recommendations and the Government's response to the Landtag. The Landtag approves the audited accounts. The Datenschutzstelle is the independent data-protection authority, while the Fachstelle Datenschutz advises and supports the LLV internally. Data subjects can request access, correction, erasure or restriction, data portability and objection under the applicable data-protection rules and can complain to the Datenschutzstelle. The Information Act in the version effective from 1 January 2026 requires state information to be timely, complete, accurate, clear, continuous, balanced and accessible. State action is disclosed unless overriding public or private interests prevent disclosure. Information may be provided proactively or after a request, and media must receive equal treatment. Landtag and municipal assemblies are public, while Government commissions are generally not public and court hearings are generally public. Public consultations allow participation within the deadline set for the individual consultation. Liechtenstein has no general ombuds office established as a direct equivalent, but the Beratungs- und Beschwerdestelle offers free initial advice and forwards matters to the responsible body. The Landespolizei is Liechtenstein's central security authority. It handles danger prevention, criminal investigation, enforcement of criminal sentences, traffic and criminal police work and state protection around the clock. Its operations centre coordinates the emergency services, fire brigade, mountain rescue and water rescue. Emergency numbers are 112 for the general emergency call, 117 for police, 118 for fire and 144 for medical rescue. The Landespolizei has more than 130 employees, including more than 80 police officers. The Amt für Bevölkerungsschutz plans for natural hazards, warning, alerting and evacuation, supports voluntary rescue organisations, maintains national supplies in emergencies and advises the Government and municipalities. Cybersecurity is a separate public function. Liechtenstein has no own armed forces and relies on the Landespolizei, civil protection and international security cooperation for its security needs. A public event may require approval from the Regierungskanzlei and consent from the municipality. An application for public measures should normally be submitted at least one month in advance. The basic fee is approximately CHF 50 per day, while large events may incur additional security and police costs.
State in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy founded on democratic and parliamentary principles. State authority rests with the Landesfürst and the people, while the constitution protects fundamental rights, the rule of law and the separation of powers. Vaduz is the capital and the seat of the Landtag and Government. The state is organised into two landscapes and eleven municipalities with substantial local autonomy.
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