The +423 country code is for Liechtenstein, a doubly landlocked microstate squeezed between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps. About 40,000 people live in this 160 km² principality, which has more registered companies than residents thanks to its status as a financial center. Liechtenstein is the world's largest producer of false teeth (dental prosthetics), which is the kind of fact you don't forget.
Until 1999, Liechtenstein shared Switzerland's +41 country code. It got its own +423 code that year, so older references and directories may still list Liechtenstein under +41. Today, all Liechtenstein numbers use +423 exclusively.
Quick answer: +423 is Liechtenstein's country code (separate from Switzerland's +41 since 1999). Phone numbers are 7 digits with no area codes. No trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7. Landlines start with 2. Format: +423 XXX XXXX.
How to call Liechtenstein: quick reference
Liechtenstein uses 7-digit phone numbers with no area codes or trunk prefix. It's a flat numbering system, so you just dial +423 followed by the 7-digit number.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +423 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-423-[local number] |
| UK | 00-423-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-423-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-423-[local number] |
| France | 00-423-[local number] |
Understanding Liechtenstein phone numbers
All Liechtenstein phone numbers are 7 digits. The first digit indicates the type of service.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7:
- 6XX XXXX - Mobile numbers (most common)
- 7XX XXXX - Mobile numbers (additional range)
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 2:
- 2XX XXXX - All landline numbers
There are no geographic area codes within Liechtenstein. A landline in Vaduz has the same format as one in Balzers or Schaan.
Special numbers
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | European emergency number |
| 117 | Police |
| 118 | Fire brigade |
| 144 | Ambulance |
Mobile carriers in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein has three mobile operators for a population of 40,000, which gives it one of the highest operator-to-population ratios in the world.
Telecom Liechtenstein (FL1)
The main domestic operator, formerly known as Telecom FL. FL1 runs the fixed-line network and offers mobile services over its own 4G/5G infrastructure. It's the only operator with its own physical mobile network in the country. Most landline numbers belong to FL1.
Salt (Liechtenstein)
A Swiss-based operator that offers mobile service in Liechtenstein through a roaming arrangement with its Swiss network. Salt is popular with cross-border commuters who want a single plan that works in both Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Swisscom
Switzerland's largest carrier also provides coverage in Liechtenstein. Like Salt, Swisscom's Liechtenstein service piggybacks on its Swiss network. Many residents and businesses use Swisscom because of the close economic ties between the two countries.
Coverage
Mobile coverage is excellent across all settled areas. The Rhine valley, where most people live, has full 4G/5G coverage from all three operators. Higher Alpine areas above the treeline may have patchy reception, but this affects hikers more than residents.
Don't confuse +423 with nearby codes
The biggest source of confusion is Liechtenstein's historical relationship with Switzerland's numbering system.
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +41 | Switzerland | Liechtenstein used +41 until 1999; close economic and telecom ties remain |
| +43 | Austria | Borders Liechtenstein to the east; similar code (+43 vs +423) |
| +420 | Czech Republic | Similar +42X range; easy to confuse visually |
| +421 | Slovakia | Adjacent code; also in the +42X range |
The +41 confusion is the most common and the most understandable. Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc, shares a customs union with Switzerland, and its mobile networks are intertwined with Swiss carriers. But since 1999, calling a Liechtenstein number with +41 will not work. You must use +423.
Time zone considerations
Liechtenstein follows Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), the same as Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and most of Western Europe. Summer time (CEST, UTC+2) runs from late March to late October.
| Your location | Time difference from Liechtenstein | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Liechtenstein is 6 hours ahead | 8 AM-12 PM your time (2-6 PM Liechtenstein) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Liechtenstein is 9 hours ahead | 7-10 AM your time (4-7 PM Liechtenstein) |
| UK (GMT) | Liechtenstein is 1 hour ahead | 9 AM-7 PM your time |
| Switzerland (CET) | Same time zone | Anytime during business hours |
| Australia (AEST) | Liechtenstein is 9 hours behind | 5-9 PM your time (8 AM-12 PM Liechtenstein) |
Communication in Liechtenstein
Business hours
Liechtenstein follows Swiss/Austrian business conventions. Offices typically open 8 AM to 12 PM and 1:30 PM to 5 PM on weekdays. Banks close at 4:30 PM. Many businesses take a lunch break. Shops in Vaduz close at 6:30 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on Saturdays. The country is very quiet on Sundays, with nearly everything closed. For the financial sector (banks, trusts, fund administration), business hours align closely with Zurich.
Languages
German is the official language, but the local dialect (Alemannic German) is what people speak day-to-day. It's similar to Swiss German and the dialects of Vorarlberg in Austria. Standard High German (Hochdeutsch) is used in business, government, and media. English is spoken in the financial sector and tourism industry but isn't as widely used as in Zurich or Vienna. For business calls, German is expected.
Network quality
Telecom infrastructure is modern and well-maintained. FL1 offers fiber broadband across most of the country, and 4G/5G mobile coverage is strong in all populated areas. The Swiss carriers (Salt, Swisscom) also provide good coverage. International call quality is excellent given Liechtenstein's proximity to major European internet exchange points.
The Liechtenstein diaspora
Liechtenstein's diaspora is tiny in absolute numbers, which makes sense for a country of 40,000. But the cross-border traffic is unusually heavy relative to the population.
Cross-border commuters
Over half of Liechtenstein's workforce commutes in from abroad each day: roughly 10,000 from Switzerland, 8,000 from Austria, and smaller numbers from Germany. This means a large volume of daily calls between +423 and +41/+43 numbers. Many of these commuters carry Swiss or Austrian SIMs and call Liechtenstein numbers internationally rather than getting a local SIM.
Liechtensteiners abroad
The few Liechtensteiners who live abroad are mostly in Switzerland (especially Zurich, St. Gallen, and the Rhine valley cantons) or Austria (Vorarlberg, Vienna). Some study or work in Germany or the UK. The community is small enough that most people calling back to Liechtenstein know someone personally rather than calling businesses.
Calling peaks
National Day (August 15) is the main event, when the Prince invites the entire population to the castle grounds for a party. Christmas and the Funken (bonfire) celebrations in spring also drive call volume. Banking-related calls peak at European quarter-end dates when financial reporting intensifies.
Dialing examples
Calling a Liechtenstein mobile from the US
To call a Liechtenstein mobile number 660 1234 from a US phone:
- From a mobile: +423 660 1234
- From a landline: 011 423 660 1234
Calling a Liechtenstein landline from Switzerland
To call a Vaduz landline 235 6789 from Switzerland:
- From a mobile: +423 235 6789
- From a landline: 00 423 235 6789
Even though the two countries share a customs union and currency, this is an international call. You must dial +423.
Calling a Liechtenstein mobile from the UK
To call a mobile number 780 5678 from the UK:
- From a mobile: +423 780 5678
- From a landline: 00 423 780 5678
Calling within Liechtenstein
For local calls, dial the 7-digit number directly: 660 1234. No country code or prefix needed.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using Switzerland's +41 code
Before 1999, Liechtenstein numbers were reachable via +41 75 (the Swiss area code for the Liechtenstein region). That no longer works. You must dial +423 followed by the 7-digit number. If you find a Liechtenstein number listed as +41 75 XXX XX XX, drop the +41 75 and use +423 instead.
Adding a trunk prefix
Liechtenstein has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number. The format is simply +423 followed by 7 digits. This trips up people used to dialing Swiss numbers, where you drop the 0 (e.g., 044 becomes +41 44). Liechtenstein doesn't have a 0 to drop.
Expecting Swiss-style area codes
Switzerland uses 2-digit area codes (e.g., 44 for Zurich, 31 for Bern). Liechtenstein has none. Don't try to split a Liechtenstein number into area code and local number. The whole 7 digits after +423 are the phone number.
Cross-border network confusion
If you're in Liechtenstein with a Swiss SIM, your phone may still be on its home Swiss network rather than roaming. This means calls to local +423 numbers might be billed as international. Conversely, visitors with non-Swiss/non-Liechtenstein SIMs may pick up Austrian signals near the eastern border. Check your network manually if costs matter.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +423 code?
The +423 country code belongs to Liechtenstein, a small principality in the Alps between Switzerland and Austria.
Does Liechtenstein use Switzerland's +41 code?
Not anymore. Liechtenstein had numbers under Switzerland's +41 (area code 75) until 1999, when it received its own +423 code. Today, all Liechtenstein numbers require +423.
How many digits are Liechtenstein phone numbers?
All Liechtenstein phone numbers are 7 digits long with no area codes. The full international format is +423 followed by 7 digits.
Is calling Liechtenstein from Switzerland treated as a local call?
No. Despite the close economic ties, calling from Switzerland (+41) to Liechtenstein (+423) is an international call. Your carrier will bill it at international rates unless your plan includes Liechtenstein.
What language should I use when calling Liechtenstein?
German is the official language. Standard High German (Hochdeutsch) is used in business and government. The local spoken dialect is Alemannic German, similar to Swiss German.
Looking for more European dialing guides? Check out our guides for Switzerland (+41), Austria (+43), and Germany (+49), or browse the full country code directory.