The education system of the Principality of Liechtenstein is modeled after the school systems of German-speaking countries. Neighboring Switzerland exerts a particular influence on the school structure and educational content. 

Liechtenstein offers its young people an education ranging from elementary school through a university degree; however, theoretical vocational training takes place at Swiss vocational schools. Due to the country’s small size, the range of educational options becomes more limited as students advance to higher grade levels; depending on their field of study, Liechtensteiners often go on to earn further degrees at vocational schools and universities in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. 

On the other hand, Liechtenstein serves as a regional educational hub of supraregional significance. At the University of Liechtenstein, which focuses on economics and architecture, well over half of the students come from abroad, primarily from neighboring Switzerland and Austria. 

In the areas of kindergarten and compulsory schooling, the Liechtenstein curriculum “LiLe,” introduced in 2019, aligns the curriculum for public schools with the Swiss Curriculum 21 of the German-speaking cantons. Children take their first steps into the Liechtenstein school system starting at age four. Nearly all children attend kindergarten for two years , where they are prepared for the five-year primary school through play-based and activity-oriented learning. This is followed by the three-tiered secondary level. Secondary Level I lasts four years and comprises three types of schools: Oberschule, Realschule, and the lower level of the Gymnasium. The flexibility between these three school types is optimized to such an extent that a transfer is possible after almost any school year, provided the necessary conditions are met. 

After compulsory schooling, various paths in general or vocational education are available. The optional 10th school year offers various profiles and areas of focus to help students orient themselves on the path to vocational education. The Liechtenstein Gymnasium offers a broad general education at the upper secondary level, which leads to the Matura and thus to university admission. After completing a vocational apprenticeship, the Liechtenstein Vocational Maturity School (BMS) offers a pathway to the vocational maturity diploma, either on a part-time basis while working or full-time. 

Basic vocational training in Liechtenstein follows the dual system, with practical training at an apprenticeship company and accompanying theoretical instruction at a vocational school. While there are sufficient apprenticeship companies in Liechtenstein itself, young professionals attend vocational school in Switzerland. The vocational baccalaureate diploma from the Liechtenstein Vocational Baccalaureate School allows graduates to attend not only all universities of applied sciences in Switzerland but also universities in Liechtenstein and Austria.

The national education strategy places greater emphasis on ensuring educational success for all and promoting lifelong learning. Learner-centered educational institutions adopt an inclusive approach and are based on the realization of the rights of all learners. Liechtenstein’s school system therefore offers a range of educational support measures. These include, among others, early language support, special enrollment programs, supplementary instruction provided by school-based special education teachers, speech therapy, and additional instruction for children with German as a second language. 

In addition to public schools, two private schools are also accredited in Liechtenstein: the Liechtenstein Waldorf School, which teaches based on Rudolf Steiner’s educational philosophy, and formatio, which offers education from elementary school through middle school to high school.

In addition to the basic education provided in elementary school and one of the secondary schools, there is a special education day school for children and adolescents with special learning needs. The Special Education Center (hpz) is a nonprofit foundation organized under private law and based in Schaan. As a practical and action-oriented school, the special education school strives to foster the highest possible level of independence among its students to ensure they can best manage their daily lives. 

There are two institutions of higher education in Liechtenstein authorized to confer academic degrees: the state-run University of Liechtenstein, which offers degree programs in economics and architecture from the bachelor’s through the master’s to the doctoral level, and the private University of the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL), which offers doctoral programs in law and medical sciences. In addition, there is a university-like research institution that does not have the right to confer degrees: the Liechtenstein Institute, a scientific research center focused on topics specific to Liechtenstein.