Same-sex marriage in Liechtenstein

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Liechtenstein since January 1, 2025. In November 2022, the Landtag, or parliament, voted to ask the government to create a law allowing same-sex couples to marry. This idea had support from most political groups. A law to make same-sex marriage legal was introduced in February 2024 and finally passed by the Landtag on May 16, 2024, with a vote of 24 to 1. Prince Alois gave his approval, called royal assent, on July 9, 2024, and the law began on January 1, 2025.

Before this, Liechtenstein allowed same-sex couples to have registered partnerships starting September 1, 2011. People voted for this in a special vote called a referendum. Switzerland did this first in 2005, and Liechtenstein was the second country to let people decide on this by voting. After same-sex marriage became legal, registered partnerships were no longer an option in Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein was the third small country in Europe, the 22nd country in all of Europe, and the 37th in the world to allow same-sex marriage. Most people in Liechtenstein support allowing same-sex couples to marry, according to polls.

Registered partnerships

On November 19, 2001, a member of the Liechtenstein government asked to make a law that would recognize couples who have the same gender. This idea was talked about for a long time, and in 2003, the government decided not to make the law yet.

In 2007, a group asked for the government to recognize same-gender couples, and the government agreed to think about it. In 2010, a plan for a new law was made, and in 2011, the law was finally made. This law let same-gender couples have a special kind of partnership, similar to marriage.

In 2011, people could choose to have a vote about this new law. Most people voted to keep the law, and it started on September 1, 2011.

In 2016, the government changed the rules about family names so that couples in these partnerships could share a name, though it was called something a little different from married couples.

In 2021, a court decided that couples in these partnerships should be able to adopt children. The government made a new law in 2022 to let couples adopt stepchildren, and in 2023, the law changed again so that all couples could adopt equally.

Breakdown of voting by municipality
Municipality	Yes (%)	Yes votes	No (%)	No votes	Formal total	Participation rate (%)
Balzers	71.6%	1,283	28.4%	510	1,793	74.4%
Eschen	59.2%	911	40.8%	627	1,538	74.9%
Gamprin	69.2%	439	30.8%	195	634	77.1%
Mauren	63.9%	870	36.1%	492	1,362	74.8%
Planken	73.4%	152	26.6%	55	207	85.4%
Ruggell	72.4%	602	27.6%	230	832	79.4%
Schaan	73.0%	1,518	27.0%	561	2,079	75.5%
Schellenberg	66.6%	291	33.4%	146	437	80.7%
Triesen	70.0%	1,155	30.0%	494	1,649	70.1%
Triesenberg	67.7%	781	32.3%	373	1,154	72.1%
Vaduz	70.6%	1,237	29.4%	516	1,753	71.4%
Liechtenstein	68.8%	9,239	31.3%	4,199	13,438	74.3%

Number of partnerships registered in Liechtenstein
	2011	2012	2013	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	Total
Female	2	1	1	0	2	0	1	3	2	1	1	3	17
Male	4	4	2	1	1	4	1	3	3	5	1	0	29
Total	6	5	3	1	3	4	2	6	5	6	2	3	46

Same-sex marriage

Background

In June 2017, Justice Minister Aurelia Frick said she was open to talking about letting people of the same sex marry. MP Daniel Seger from the Progressive Citizens' Party hoped Liechtenstein would allow same-sex marriage, just like Germany did.

In 2018, a couple, Lukas Oehri and Dario Kleeb, asked to get married at the office in Vaduz but were told no. They took their case to court, saying this was unfair and went against rules about human rights and the country’s laws. The lower court agreed with them, but a higher court later said it was okay not to allow same-sex marriage. The court did say, though, that some rules about partnerships were unfair, especially ones that stopped couples from adopting together. After this, the government said they would look more closely at the issue. New rules allowing same-sex partners to adopt became law in June 2023.

Passage of legislation in 2024

After Switzerland allowed same-sex marriage in June 2020, some people in Liechtenstein hoped their country would do the same soon. Before the February 2021 election, most politicians said they supported letting same-sex couples marry. After the election, there were enough votes in the Landtag, the country’s parliament, to pass a law about it.

In November 2022, 15 members of the Landtag voted to ask the government to make a law allowing same-sex marriage. This motion passed with 23 votes in favor and only 2 against.

In February 2024, the government shared plans to change laws about marriage and partnerships. The new law passed the Landtag on May 16, 2024, with 24 votes for and 1 against. The prince agreed, and the law was printed in July 2024. It became official on January 1, 2025. Now, the law says marriage is for any two people who want to join their lives together.

Religious performance

The Catholic Church does not allow its leaders to perform same-sex marriages. Over the years, the Archbishop of Vaduz spoke out against allowing same-sex partnerships or marriages. Other church leaders have different views.

The Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein does not perform same-sex marriages, but some priests have supported accepting same-sex partnerships.

Public opinion

In June 2017, after Germany approved a law about relationships, a newspaper in Liechtenstein asked its readers if they supported allowing couples of the same gender to marry. Over half, 55%, said yes and wanted it to happen quickly. Another 14% also said yes but had some concerns about other parts, like adoption. Twenty-seven percent were against it, and 4% were not sure.

In February 2021, another survey asked people if couples of the same gender should have the same rights as other couples. Most people, 72%, said yes. Support varied a bit among different groups, but overall, most people thought yes.