Liechtenstein construction costs rise amid land density trends

In Liechtenstein, planned construction costs have risen significantly despite a stable number of housing projects. In the second quarter of 2026, 173 building permits were issued with total planned costs of 132.9 million francs, approximately 19 percent above the three-year average. Residential construction is the primary driver, with planned costs for housing projects increasing by 65 percent compared to the average of the previous twelve quarters.

Köbi Steiger, president of the builders' association, noted that the increase is not driven by rising material or labor costs, nor by a shift toward luxury standards. Instead, the rise is attributed to more efficient land use, where developers are more consistently maximizing the permitted utilization of plots. This trend toward higher density and larger building volumes is driven by an annual population growth of approximately 0.9 percent and the prevailing economic environment.

In a separate development regarding sustainable construction, the ZirkuLIE platform has transitioned into an independent, non-profit association. The initiative aims to establish a circular economy within the construction sector by fostering cooperation between the construction industry, planning, crafts, research, and politics. The association operates the Center for Circular Construction (ZZB) in Triesen, which includes a component exchange to promote the reuse of building materials.