On “Noise Awareness Day” on April 29, 2026, attention will be drawn to the effects of noise on our health.
This is because noise is not only annoying and a cause of sleep disturbances—its effects on our health go far beyond that: cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, mental health issues, and even premature deaths can be attributed to noise.
Compared to other environmental health hazards, traffic noise is one of the most significant health risks in Europe—second only to air pollution.

Railway noise in Liechtenstein

As part of environmental protection legislation, the Office of Environmental Protection created a noise pollution register for the first time in 2010 for the railway line from the Schaanwald customs office to the Rhine bridge in Schaan. The calculations are based on Swiss specifications. The register was updated in 2018 (as of 2017). In 2021, a noise remediation concept was further developed by ÖBB Infrastruktur AG.

Since 2010, noise pollution along the route has been continuously reduced. While 89 properties were still affected by exceedances of the immission limits in 2010, this number had fallen to 35 by 2017. With the implementation of the noise remediation concept from 2021, the immission limits will be complied with along the entire ÖBB route between Feldkirch and Buchs. The main reasons for this are technical improvements and the refurbishment of rolling stock. Particularly relevant is the ban on freight cars with gray cast iron brake shoes, which used to cause high noise emissions. These have been banned in Switzerland since 2020 and will also be banned in Liechtenstein from 2023.

In addition to the ban on gray cast iron brake shoes, the number of trains plays a decisive role in compliance with the limits. The traffic forecasts contained in the noise remediation concept are reviewed annually by the Office of Environmental Protection. The evaluations for the years 2021 to 2025 show that the forecasts have been met. This means that there are currently no exceedances.

Detailed information on railway noise pollution can be viewed at the Office of Environmental Protection by appointment.

Road Noise Exposure Register (SLBK) 2025

The Office for Environmental Protection compiles a noise pollution map for Liechtenstein’s roads in accordance with environmental protection legislation. This map is regularly updated to reflect changes in traffic patterns. Following the initial survey in 2010 and its update in 2015, the current version for the year 2025 is now available. The 2025 Road Noise Pollution Register was calculated using the state-of-the-art sonROAD18 emission model. It comprises a three-dimensional noise calculation model, a GIS visualization model, and a data description.

Key Findings
Noise levels are considered harmful or nuisance when they exceed the exposure limit value. For example, the immission limit value for road traffic noise in a Zone II sensitivity category (e.g., residential zones) is 60 dB(A) during the day (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and 50 dB(A) at night (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).
•    During the day, 5,290 people are affected by road traffic noise levels exceeding 60 dB(A).
•    At night, 2,957 people are affected by road traffic noise levels exceeding 50 dB(A).

Assessment of Limit Values
Based on the measured noise levels and the limit values applicable to the respective sensitivity levels, an assessment was conducted to determine whether any limit values had been exceeded.
This yielded the following findings:
•    For 804 buildings, the noise exposure limit value (day or night) is exceeded.
•    For 8 buildings, the daytime alarm level is reached or exceeded.
•    At night, the alarm level is not reached or exceeded at any building.

Access to Records
Detailed information on the road noise exposure registry can be viewed at the Office of Environmental Protection upon prior appointment.

Noise register Day

Noise register Night

Noise pollution register Heliport Balzers -  as of 2010

As part of the environmental legislation, the Office of Environmental Protection compiled a noise pollution cadastre for the heliport in Balzers. The cadastre represents the noise pollution in the area of influence of the heliport and is based on the status 2010. The entire cadastre includes a technical report as well as maps and tables. This can be viewed by appointment (+423 236 61 85) at the Office for the Environment.

The main results can be summarized as follows:

• In the assessment of the noise immission of the heliport Balzers according to Annex 5 of the Noise Abatement Ordinance (LSV) is primarily the impact of the maximum level Lmax authoritative.
• It is determined that in 2010 the immission limits according to Annex 5 Noise Abatement Ordinance (LSV) are met.
• There is no need for remediation according to Art. 14 Noise Abatement Ordinance (LSV) for the heliport Balzers.

Affected buildings resp. parcels

The following map section provides an overview of the noise pollution situation. Detailed information can be viewed by appointment at the Office of Environmental Protection.

Noise pollution cadastre Heliport Balzers (simplified representation)