Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Fürstentum Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked country in the Central European Alps. It is located between Austria to the east and north-east and Switzerland to the north-west, west and south. Formed in 1719, Liechtenstein became fully independent upon the dissolution of the German Confederation in 1866. Liechtenstein is Europe’s fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometers and a population of 41,389. It is also a Monarchy. It is the world’s smallest country to border two countries, and is one of the few countries with no debt. Its official language is German.

It is a member of the United Nations, the European Free Trade Association, and the Council of Europe. It is not a member state of the European Union, but it participates in both the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area. It has a customs union and a monetary union with Switzerland, with its usage of the Swiss franc.

Liechtenstein is one of the world’s two doubly landlocked countries – countries wholly surrounded by other landlocked countries (the other is Uzbekistan). Liechtenstein is the sixth-smallest sovereign state in the world by area.

Border Facts

Liechtenstein is situated in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps and is bordered to the east by the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, to the south by the canton of Grisons (Switzerland) and to the west by the canton of St. Gallen (Switzerland). The Rhine forms the entire western border of Liechtenstein. Measured south to north the country is about 24 km long.

Liechtenstein – Austria Border is 34 km along the eastern and northern sides of Liechtenstein, separating it from the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. While the border is mostly natural, a recent 2024 agreement established a straight-line demarcation across a new artificial lake to simplify the border where it previously followed an old moat. After Austria joined the European Union, the Liechtenstein-Austria border became the border between the principality and the EU. 

Liechtenstein – Switzerland Border – is 37 km long and consequently creates 2 additional tripoints, one on the Rhine and one on the summit of Naafkopf.

Liechtenstein Registration Plates

Liechtenstein Passport Stamps

Liechtenstein Tripoints

Number	Name	Countries	Coordinates	Type	Notes
1	ATCHFLn	Austria – Switzerland – Liechtenstein	47°16’11″N 09°31’49″E	Wet	The tripoint is located in the river Rhine, south of the Feldkirch-Büchel (ATCH) border crossing. The ATLI border is demarcated and there are border markers on each side of the Rhine BM#135 in AT and BM#136 in CH. BM#135 is the westernmost point of Austria. Van der Giessen  (2024)
2	ATCHFLs	Austria – Switzerland – Liechtenstein	47°03’35″N 09°36’24″E	Dry	The tripoint is located on the summit of the Naafkopf, a mountain in the Rätikon Alps. The tripoint is marked by a large wooden cross on a brick base that extends in three directions. Naafkopf is the third highest peak in Liechtenstein. Most people approach on the northeastern ridge which marks the Austrian-Liechtenstein border via the Pfälzerhütte, one of the two refuges operated by the Liechtenstein Alpine club.

Tripoint Gallery

Please click on the images below for full tripoint visit report.