Liechtenstein is facing a notable housing crisis marked by rapidly rising prices and constrained availability. Over the past decade, the price of residential properties has surged: inflation-adjusted house prices have jumped by more than 130%, one of the highest rates in Europe. The current average price per square meter for property is over 47,000 euros, reflecting sustained high demand and limited land for new developments. Rental prices have also escalated sharply, with monthly apartment rents typically ranging between 18 and 19 euros per square meter, and central locations often exceeding this benchmark.
The country’s small size and economic strength draw both local and international buyers and investors, further intensifying competition for limited housing stock. Despite a well-performing economy and low unemployment, homeownership has become less accessible, particularly impacting younger people, lower-income households, and newcomers who struggle to secure affordable options. Renters—nearly half of all households—face rising costs and tight rental markets. Publicly subsidized or non-profit housing plays only a minor role, and the market remains dominated by private ownership and investment-driven activity. The disproportionate impact falls on those without established financial means, including young families, single-income earners, and foreign workers, for whom both buying and renting have grown steadily less affordable. Homelessness remains rare, but the risk of housing exclusion is growing for vulnerable groups.
