Same-sex couples can now tie the knot in Liechtenstein, with the picturesque Alpine nation officially enacting marriage equality laws on New Year’s Day.
In May 2023, Liechtenstein’s parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriage, making it the 22nd European country to do so. The new legislation replaces the civil union system introduced in 2011, which provided limited rights compared to heterosexual marriages. Couples in existing civil unions now have the option to convert them into marriages.
Liechtenstein, the fourth-smallest country in Europe, is nestled between Austria and Switzerland and has a population of approximately 40,000. It is the last German-speaking nation to legalise same-sex marriage, following Germany (2017), Austria (2019), and Switzerland (2022).
The nation has been slowly embracing LGBTQ+ rights. It hosted its first Pride event in 2022, marking a significant cultural shift. Celebrating this milestone, the US Embassy to Switzerland and Liechtenstein tweeted on New Year’s Day: “The reform is a testament to the dedication and advocacy of countless individuals who worked tirelessly for equality.”
