Essentials
- City
- Balzers, Oberland, Liechtenstein
- Population
- 4,688
- Internet Speed
- Average 150 Mbps (Telecom Liechtenstein fiber paths)
- Currency & Banking
- Swiss Franc (CHF). 1 CHF ≈ 1.12 USD. 1 USD ≈ 0.89 CHF.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality Alpine spring water.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type J (Swiss) and C sockets compatible.
- SIM Card
- FL1 (Telecom Liechtenstein), Salt, and Swisscom (use Swiss roaming packages).
- Banking for Expats
- LGT Bank, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB). Revolut and Neon (Swiss) work seamlessly.
- Accommodation
- Mainly boutique hotels and private rentals (Airbnb, Booking.com).
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards widely accepted, but keep CHF for small mountain huts.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Avg. CHF 160/night), Hotel Hofbalzers.
- Budget Accommodation
- Jugendherberge Schaan-Vaduz (nearby Schaan, approx. CHF 55/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Mäls (near Gutenberg Castle) for views and history.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Balzers Center near Gagoz for proximity to transport and supermarket.
Business
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Liechtenstein does not levy withholding tax on dividends).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents; wealth tax also applies.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 24% (combined National and Municipal tax).
- VAT
- 8.1% (Standard rate, aligned with Switzerland).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, Liechtenstein does not have specific CFC legislation.
- Property Tax
- Computed via a Wealth Tax on the fair market value (approx. 0.8%).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.9% to 1.1% (Transfer tax).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Highly attractive 12.5% corporate tax for remote entities; no dividend tax.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. CHF 10,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CHF 420,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. CHF 9,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CHF 368,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. CHF 11,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 660,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. CHF 9,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CHF 570,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. CHF 10,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 864,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. CHF 9,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CHF 784,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Flat rate of 12.5%.
Food and Drink
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Coop Balzers and Denner for budget-friendly groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Galaxus.li, Amazon.de (use Swiss shipping address services).
- Grocery Delivery
- Coop.ch (Home delivery available to Balzers).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Vaduz Center (15 mins away) for cocktail bars like Two-Seventy-Four.
- Local Brewery
- Liechtensteiner Brauhaus (available in all local Volg/Coop stores).
- Wine Bars
- Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein (Vaduz, 15 min drive).
- Street Food Stalls
- Kebab/Pizza stands near Balzers Riet stop.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restaurant Riet (Italian/Central European mix).
- Best Food Delivery App
- Just-Eat.ch (Limited coverage; local pizzerias deliver directly).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Käsknöpfle (Cheese pasta with fried onions).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Gasthof Löwen (Offers seasonal vegetable and pasta dishes).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bäckerei-Konditorei Wolf (Try the local pastries and chocolates).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Burg Gutenberg (Gutenberg Castle), elevated medieval fortress.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Cultural Center Alter Pfarrhof (Exhibitions on local history).
- Historical Sites
- Maria Hilf Chapel, built in the late 19th century.
- Religious Sites
- Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus (St. Nicholas Parish Church).
- Annual Events
- Liechtenstein National Day (August 15th) – Fireworks at Vaduz.
- Cultural Districts
- The hamlet of Mäls for preserved traditional architecture.
- Theater Venues
- TAK Theater Liechtenstein (located in Schaan).
- Local Markets
- Jahrmarkt Balzers (Annual community fair in autumn).
- Music Scene
- Open-Air concerts at the Castle (Summer season).
- Street Art
- Minimalist sculptures found in the municipal park areas.
- Cooking Classes
- Adult Education Center (Stein Egerta) in Schaan.
- Art Galleries
- Kunstraum Engländerbau (Vaduz).
- Historic Buildings
- Haus Gutenberg (Educational and spiritual retreat center).
- Local Heritage
- Wine-making heritage, celebrated during Torkelfest.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fläscherberg mountain trails (South of Balzers).
- National Parks Nearby
- Swiss National Park (Zernez, approx. 1h 15m drive).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Rhine River path (Rhinedamm) for flat cycling/running.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Luziensteig pass (Views over the Rhine valley and Alps).
- Birdwatching Locations
- St. Katharinabrunnen nature protection area.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Rheinpark barbecue areas (Permission needed in dry seasons).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Liechtensteinische Post AG (Balzers Post Office).
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer-Center.li (Vaduz).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at the Balzers primary school (Schulhaus).
- Language Classes
- Stein Egerta (Schaan) for German as a Foreign Language.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek (National Library in Vaduz).
- Community Centers
- Gemeindesaal Balzers (Local cultural events).
- Gaming Lounges
- Next Level Gaming (Feldkirch, Austria - 30 min away).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Admiral Triesen (5 mins drive from Balzers).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coworking Liechtenstein (located in Schaan, 15 min by bus/drive).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café Riet at Gagoz 55 (Quiet morning atmosphere, good Wi-Fi).
- Networking Events
- Digital-Liechtenstein.li events (mostly in Vaduz/Schaan).
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Liechtenstein Group (meets monthly in Vaduz).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber. Use Taxi Heeb (+423 233 47 47) or Taxi 24.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- LIEmobil (Freevelo) bike sharing; rental stations near Post Balzers.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Badesee Going (Lake) or Rheinpark access in nearby Buchs, SG.
- Top Regional Airline
- Swiss International Air Lines (via Zurich Airport).
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Emirates, Delta (via Zurich ZRH).
- Highway Access
- A13 Motorway (Switzerland) access via the Trübbach/Balzers junction.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Sargans Railway Station (CH), reachable in 10 mins by LIEmobil Bus 11.
- Public Transport Passes
- LIEmobil weekly pass (approx. CHF 40) or Swiss Travel Pass.
- Regional Travel
- Bus 11 connects Balzers to Vaduz (20 mins) and Feldkirch, Austria (45 mins).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Landesspital Liechtenstein (Vaduz) or Kantonsspital Graubünden (Chur, CH).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Loft Balzers (Iramali 7).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitnesshaus (Gagoz 40, Balzers). Monthly approx. CHF 110.
- Laundry Services
- Textilreinigung LPS (Vaduz center).