Austria–Liechtenstein border
A 35 km line in the mountains and Rhine valley between Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein. For almost 70 years the two shared a customs union, with Austrian officials staffing Liechtenstein’s customs posts. After the First World War Liechtenstein broke away and turned to Switzerland, and this became a real frontier.
Written from cited sourcesLast checked 30 September 2026Suggest a correction
See it on the globe:Austria →Liechtenstein →
Inside Austria’s customs area
In the early 19th century Liechtenstein was cut off by high tariffs on the Austrian and Swiss sides. A customs and tax treaty with Austria in 1852 opened the large Austrian market and gave workers and traders free movement between the two countries. Liechtenstein’s own duties were abolished, customs posts facing Switzerland were set up at Balzers and Bendern, and the customs service was run by officials appointed and paid by Austria, wearing Austrian uniforms with Liechtenstein insignia and sworn to the prince.[2]
The treaty made trade with Switzerland harder, and when it came up for renewal in 1863 some Liechtensteiners argued for a Swiss deal instead. Austria made concessions, and the union continued.[2]
Breaking away
The First World War brought hardship to Liechtenstein through its union with Austria-Hungary: the Allied blockade, food shortages, the collapse of industry and the falling krone, along with widespread smuggling. On 2 August 1919 the Landtag gave notice to end the customs treaty, and from 1 September 1919 Liechtenstein was a separate customs area caught between two customs borders.[2]
It quickly sought to join Switzerland’s customs area instead. Liechtenstein adopted the Swiss franc in 1921, and a customs treaty signed on 29 March 1923 took effect on 1 January 1924, turning the Austrian side into the customs frontier.[2][3]
Timeline
1852
Customs union
Liechtenstein joins Austria’s customs and tax area.[2]
19192 August 1919
Treaty ended
The Landtag gives notice to leave the union.[2]
1921
Swiss franc
Liechtenstein adopts Switzerland’s currency.[3]
19241 January 1924
Swiss customs union
The border with Austria becomes the customs frontier.[2]
More borders
Sources
- [1]Österreich · Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
- [2]Zollwesen · Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein
- [3]Liechtenstein · Encyclopaedia Britannica
Map geometry from Natural Earth via world-atlas. See credits.