A Country You Can Walk Across
Liechtenstein is one of those countries that makes you double-check the map. Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, it’s only about 25 kilometres long and 6 kilometres wide. You could jog across it in an afternoon if you’re feeling energetic.
Despite its size, Liechtenstein is not just a sleepy Alpine village. It’s a wealthy, well-organised principality with a love for tidy roads, clean air and, apparently, cars.
More Cars Than You’d Expect
As of mid-2024, Liechtenstein had over 46,000 registered vehicles. That includes more than 42,000 motorised ones and around 4,000 trailers. For a country with fewer than 40,000 residents, that’s quite a lot of wheels.
The Story of the Plates
Liechtenstein’s car plates are a bit of a collector’s dream. They’re black with white characters, which already makes them stand out. Most European countries went for white or yellow backgrounds ages ago, but Liechtenstein said no thanks and stuck with black.
Each plate starts with FL, short for Fürstentum Liechtenstein, followed by a tiny coat of arms and up to five digits. It’s simple, elegant and slightly mysterious.
The current system dates back to 1920. Before that, they used Austrian plates with a W for Vorarlberg. The first known car owners were a businessman from Vaduz and a doctor from Schaan. Clearly, being an early adopter came with prestige and probably a lot of curious stares.
Getting Your Hands on One
Getting a Liechtenstein plate isn’t exactly a walk in the park. First, you need to live there or have a registered business. Then you go through the usual paperwork, insurance and vehicle checks.
The plates are assigned to the owner, not the car. That means if you buy a new car, you can keep your old plates. You can even use them interchangeably on two vehicles, which is quite handy if you’re indecisive or just like showing off.
Rear plates come in two formats — long or square. And since 2019, you can request a matt black version if you’re feeling fancy. But don’t expect to pick your own number unless you’re lucky or patient. Numbers are given out in order, and low ones are recycled only after a year-long wait.
A Microlino Moment
The Microlino, a tiny electric car that looks like a bubble with wheels, fits perfectly into this story. It’s small, stylish and ideal for navigating Liechtenstein’s compact roads. Seeing one with an FL plate is like watching minimalism meet monarchy.
It’s also a reminder that Liechtenstein doesn’t need to shout to be noticed. A small country with small cars and bold plates — quietly making a statement while the rest of the world honks in traffic.
So next time you spot a black plate with FL on it, give it a nod. It’s not just a number. It’s a slice of Liechtenstein’s quirky charm.
