The Principality of Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy based on democratic and parliamentary principles. The parliament, as the representative body of the people, and the princely house, represented by the Reigning Prince, are the legislative powers in Liechtenstein. In the event of disagreement between them, a referendum decides. The parliament – the Landtag – is based in the capital Vaduz and is elected by the people every four years. 

Liechtenstein is a member of the United Nations, the European Economic Area, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. With an area of 160 km², Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe. The small size of the country, its geopolitical location and its historically grown relations with neighbouring countries have strongly influenced the development of Liechtenstein and its education system.

Key features of the education system

Liechtenstein's education system is in the responsibility of the state, i.e. state schools as well as private schools are under the supervision of the state. School attendance is compulsory.

The structure of Liechtenstein's education system is influenced by the education systems of neighbouring countries, particularly Switzerland. The main features of Liechtenstein's school system, such as school types, qualification requirements for teachers, terminology and curricula, are based on the Swiss education system. The majority of teachers in Liechtenstein are trained in Switzerland. Liechtenstein does not have any teacher training colleges (Pädagogisches Hochschulen). Another important and comparable aspect of the Liechtenstein and Swiss education systems is the dual vocational education and training in the form of apprenticeships. This form of education and profession is of great importance in both Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Due to Liechtenstein's small size and low population, the country does not have a fully-fledged school and education system at all levels. In particular, cooperation with neighbouring countries, mainly Switzerland, takes place in the school-based part of vocational training and higher vocational education, as well as in higher education (tertiary education). Guaranteed school and university places are secured through financial agreements and bilateral treaties.

Stages of the education system

Nearly all children aged 4 to 5 attend kindergarten for 2 years, which is provided for the purpose of pre-school education. The subsequent period of compulsory schooling is 9 years, starting with 5 years of primary school and continuing with 4 years of lower secondary school. The latter is differentiated into three types of schools, namely Oberschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. Pupils are allocated to these types of secondary schools on the basis of school performance. The Gymnasium includes lower and upper secondary education.

About 20-25% of pupils in a given year are assigned to the Gymnasium, which prepares them for academic higher education studies. In addition, pupils may also be admitted to the Gymnasium at a later stage. Students can transfer after each year of Realschule, either without examination if their performance is adequate or by passing an examination in all remaining cases. At the end of the Gymnasium pupils sit the Matura (baccalaureate) examinations. It takes 12 years of general schooling to obtain the Matura, which guarantees unrestricted access to higher education.

Following compulsory education, most school leavers from the Oberschule and Realschule start an apprenticeship according to the dual system. On completion of their vocational education and training, students may also obtain the Berufsmaturität (vocational baccalaureate) at the Berufsmaturitätsschule Liechtenstein (BMS II), which gives access to all higher education institutions in Liechtenstein and Austria and to universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.

Tertiary education comprises academic higher education and higher professional education and training. Liechtenstein has no advanced vocational training institutes of its own. Students from Liechtenstein pursue such courses at institutions in Switzerland and Austria. Academic Higher Education covers currently three institutions. As they don’t cover all subjects the majority of students follow their studies abroad (mainly in Switzerland). Recognition of its qualifications and access to foreign education institutions are; therefore of utmost importance to Liechtenstein. In addition to several agreements with Switzerland and its cantons, Liechtenstein participates directly as responsible body for some education institutions in Switzerland such as the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Science and the University of Teacher Education in Special Needs in Zurich.

The legal basis for academic higher education is the Law of 25th November 2004 on Higher Education (Hochschulgesetz; HSG) and the Ordinance of 16th August 2011 on Higher Education (Hochschulverordnung; HSV). They comprise standards for the approval and accreditation of higher education institutions as well as regulated study programs including corresponding awards and degrees. As by law all higher education institutions must be approved by the government. Approval involves an accreditation by a quality assurance agency that is recognized by the government. The Bologna process was implemented in 2004 with the complete revision of the Law on Higher Education, introducing the 3-cycle system for all subject areas.

Structure of the national education system

Please refer to the Eurydice Data and Visuals for a display of the Structure of the National Education System

Useful Links:

• Office of Education
• Office for Vocational Education and Training and Career Guidance
• National Agency for International Education Affaires
• Government oft he Principality of Liechtenstein
• National Law Directory
• National Qualification Framework

Common European Reference Tools provided by the Eurydice Network:

• National Student Fee and Support Systems
• Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education
• Organisation of School Time in Europe (Primary and general secondary education)   
• Recommended Annual Instruction Time in Full-Time Compulsory Education in Europe (Presented by grades/stages for full time compulsory education as well as by subject and country.)
• Teachers and School Heads Salaries and Allowances in Europe (Salaries and allowances of teachers and school heads at pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education levels.)