Recognition of same-sex unions in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein has recognized registered partnerships since 1 September 2011.

On 19 November 2001, MP Paul Vogt (Free List) submitted a registered partnership initiative to the Landtag, which after long discussion referred it to the government for its opinion. The goal of reducing discrimination was undisputed; rather the kind of recognition and the timing compared to neighbouring countries were cause for discussion. On 15 April 2003, the government published its position on the matter; it compared the legal situation in Liechtenstein with European countries with recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. Germany had recently introduced registered partnerships), but also with neighbouring Austria and Switzerland, which had no legal recognition of same-sex couples at the time. As the government saw no urgent need and preferred to await developments in Austria and especially Switzerland, it recommended rejection. On 14 May 2003, the Landtag discussed and rejected the initiative.

On 1 January 2007, registered partnerships in Switzerland took effect following approval by referendum on 5 June 2005.

On 17 September 2007, Amnesty International Liechtenstein submitted a petition calling for legal recognition of same-sex couples. A subsequent motion put forward in the Landtag by the Free List party requesting that the government introduce a registered partnership law similar to Switzerland's passed on 24 October 2007 with 19 representatives voting in favour and 6 voting against.

In December 2009, the Minister of Justice Aurelia Frick announced that she would present draft of the registered partnership bill in January 2010. The draft was presented in April 2010. After the consulation period for the bill finished on 16 July, a few items were amended as a result of the discussion.

The registered partnership bill (Lebenspartnerschaftsgesetz) has been described as very similar to the Austrian law passed in the autumn of 2009. In August 2010, the Prince regent, Alois declared his support for the bill. On 23 November 2010, the Government formulated the final version of the bill, which was approved by Parliament in the first reading on 16 December 2010. It was passed in the second reading on 16 March 2011 and published on 21 March that same year.

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