Driving in Liechtenstein from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Liechtenstein? You need:
- A Swiss or Austrian vignette to reach it on their motorways Liechtenstein itself has no motorways. See below
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag GB stickers are no longer valid: remove or cover them
- Your photocard driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate No green card needed. Still have an old paper licence? You need an international driving permit (£5.50 at a PayPoint)
- A passport for everyone in the car See the passport rules for Liechtenstein below
- Dipped headlights on at all times, set for driving on the right Many newer cars adjust from a menu setting, others need beam deflector stickers
- Swiss francs or a card for fines and parking
🛂 Passports and borders
Liechtenstein is in the Schengen area, and its border with Switzerland is open. Switzerland handles its immigration and customs. Your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, when you first enter Schengen, usually at Dover or Folkestone. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave.
Check your passport for Liechtenstein →Vignettes on the way
Liechtenstein has no motorways, so you don't need a vignette inside the country. But you'll almost certainly drive on Swiss or Austrian motorways to get there:
Austrian vignette (official) →
Speed limits in Liechtenstein
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Roads outside towns | 80 km/h≈ 50 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
There are no motorways. Cars on studded tyres are limited to 80 km/h. Speeding fines in towns run from CHF 30 (up to 5 km/h over) to CHF 280 (19 to 20 km/h over), and outside towns up to CHF 440 for 25 km/h over.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
🍷 Drink-drive rules differ from Switzerland
Liechtenstein's law treats 0.8 per mille as unfit to drive, but you can be charged below that if you're not fit, and it's 0.1 for professional drivers and learners. Don't drink and drive.
💡 Headlights on at all times
Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on whenever you drive.
📵 Hands-free phones only
Using a phone without hands-free is a CHF 80 fine.
🔒 Seatbelts and documents
Not wearing a seatbelt is a CHF 50 fine, and not carrying your licence CHF 20.
👮 Strict enforcement
GOV.UK says the police strictly enforce road rules, and serious offences can mean heavy fines or prison.
❄️ Winter driving Winter tyres advised
GOV.UK advises winter tyres and snow chains in winter. As in Switzerland, winter tyres aren't a general legal requirement, but you can be held responsible if you crash without suitable tyres.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 117 for the police, 144 for an ambulance or 118 for fire.
- Put on a hi-vis vest before you get out, and place the warning triangle behind the car if it's safe to.
Hiring a car in Liechtenstein instead
- Swiss hire cars come with a Swiss vignette. Check the hire company allows you to cross into Liechtenstein and Austria.
- They may ask for a DVLA licence check code. Get one on GOV.UK shortly before you collect the car: it's only valid for 21 days.
FAQs
Do I need a vignette for Liechtenstein?
Liechtenstein has no motorways, so no vignette is needed inside the country. But to reach it on Swiss motorways you need the Swiss vignette (CHF 40), and on Austrian motorways the Austrian vignette (from €9.60 for a day in 2026).
What is the drink-drive limit in Liechtenstein?
Under Liechtenstein's law, 0.8 per mille counts as unfit to drive, which is higher than Switzerland's 0.5. But you can still be charged below that if you're not fit to drive, and it's 0.1 for professional drivers and learners, so the only safe amount is none.
What are the speed limits in Liechtenstein?
50 km/h in towns and villages and 80 km/h elsewhere. There are no motorways.
Are there border checks between Switzerland and Liechtenstein?
No. Liechtenstein is in the Schengen area, the border with Switzerland is open, and Switzerland handles its immigration and customs.
How much are speeding fines in Liechtenstein?
In towns, CHF 30 for up to 5 km/h over, CHF 80 for 6 to 10 km/h over, rising to CHF 280 for 19 to 20 km/h over. Using a phone without hands-free is a CHF 80 fine.
Do I need an international driving permit for Liechtenstein?
No, not with a UK photocard licence. You need one with an old paper licence.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Liechtenstein entry requirements · Liechtenstein safety and driving · International driving permits · Insurance abroad
- Liechtenstein: Traffic rules (VRV) · Official fines list · Road Traffic Act
- Vignettes: Swiss vignette (BAZG) · Austrian vignette (ASFINAG)