🇨🇭 Canton guide
Basel-Landschaft: living, going out and working in the canton
Everything about the canton of Basel-Landschaft: language, politics, the 1983 tax agreement for cross-border workers, transport, food and specialities, Augusta Raurica and museums, nature, nights out, festivals, and an interactive map.
Photo (cropped): Traumrune, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- residents at the end of 2025 (Federal Statistical Office)
- 303,872
- of the population are foreign nationals (calculated, end of 2025)
- 25.9%
- where you are taxed: Basel-Landschaft is one of the eight cantons of the 1983 agreement
- In France
- capital, 16,081 inhabitants (Constitution, § 40)
- Liestal
10 sections≈ 13 min readSources checked on November 6, 2026
The interactive map
36 places marked: landmarks, museums, transport, restaurants, nights out and events. Tap a point to learn more.
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Places on the map (36)
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Basel-Landschaft, the "Baselbiet", surrounds the city of Basel with hills, orchards and villages, up to the first foothills of the Jura. Its capital is Liestal. It is one of the eight cantons of the 1983 agreement: the agreement was signed by the Federal Council on behalf of Bern, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel and Jura. For a French cross-border worker, that means salary is taxed only in France, with France paying 4.5% of gross salaries back to Switzerland.
This page gathers what you need to know to live, go out and work in Basel-Landschaft: language, politics, tax agreement, transport, food and specialities, museums, nature, nights out, festivals. The figures come from official sources listed at the bottom. Venues open, close and change their hours: always check with them before you travel. The interactive map further down places sites across the whole canton.
1. Basel-Landschaft at a glance
| Marker | What to know |
|---|---|
| Population | 303,872 inhabitants at the end of 2025 (permanent resident population) |
| Foreign nationals | 78,615 people, or 25.9%; 225,257 Swiss citizens |
| Capital | Liestal (16,081 inhabitants); seat of the Landrat, the government and the cantonal court (§ 40) |
| Districts | Arlesheim, Laufen, Liestal, Sissach and Waldenburg (§ 41); the Liestal district has 64,606 inhabitants |
| Official language | German (§ 57) |
| Parliament and government | Landrat of 90 members, government of 5 members, elected for 4 years |
| Tax for French cross-border workers | In France (1983 agreement) |
| Places that come up often | Liestal, Augst (Augusta Raurica), Arlesheim, Münchenstein, Pratteln, Laufen |
The share of foreign nationals is calculated from the figures in the Federal Statistical Office's "resident population" table, updated on 20 August 2026. The Constitution dates from 17 May 1984 and has been in force since 1 January 1987; the version read has been in force since 15 June 2026.
2. The language
German is the official language (§ 57, para. 1). The same article states that all authorities and offices of the canton and the municipalities also accept submissions ("Eingaben") in another official language of the Confederation (para. 2). The canton therefore has no official French: the contract, payslip and forms are generally in German.
| What is written | Source |
|---|---|
| Official language: German | Constitution, § 57, para. 1 |
| Authorities also accept submissions in another official language of the Confederation | Constitution, § 57, para. 2 |
No main-language statistics were read: we therefore give no percentage of French speakers.
3. How the canton is governed
| Institution | What the Constitution says |
|---|---|
| Landrat (parliament) | 90 members (§ 61), elected by proportional representation (§ 27); elections are held in constituencies within the districts (§ 43) |
| Government | 5 members (§ 71) |
| Term of office | 4 years (§ 53) |
| Capital | Liestal (§ 40); the Landrat, the government and the cantonal court sit there |
| Popular initiative | 1,500 voters, signatures to be filed within two years (§ 28) |
| Optional referendum | 1,500 voters (§ 31) |
| Right to vote | Swiss citizens aged 18 or over with political domicile in the canton (§ 21) |
The canton "strives to strengthen cooperation" with the region and north-western Switzerland, notably with Basel-Stadt, Aargau, Solothurn and Jura, with the municipalities of the region and with the neighbouring foreign countries (§ 3). Resident foreigners do not vote at cantonal level; a cross-border worker has no right to vote in the canton.
4. Working in Basel-Landschaft as a cross-border worker
The agreement of 11 April 1983
| Article | What the agreement says |
|---|---|
| Art. 1 | Cross-border workers' salaries may be taxed only in the state where they live, against a financial compensation in favour of the other state |
| Art. 2 | The compensation is 4.5% of the total annual gross remuneration of cross-border workers |
| Art. 3 | A cross-border worker is someone who lives in one state, carries out paid work for an employer established in the other state and as a rule returns every day to their state of residence |
| Art. 7 | France may terminate the agreement for one, several or all cantons, with at least six months' notice for the end of a calendar year |
| Cantons covered | The Federal Council signed on behalf of Bern, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel and Jura |
According to the Aargau tax office, these eight cantons have a "special agreement" with France that gives France the right to tax and provides, in favour of the cantons, a compensation of 4.5% of gross salaries. Aargau, for its part, is not part of it.
Teleworking
The Federal Tax Administration publishes an understanding between the Swiss and French authorities on teleworking under the 1983 agreement, with an information sheet. The Basel-Stadt tax brochure states that this understanding allows cross-border teleworking up to 40% of working time per year, since 1 January 2023. The details (counting of days, consequences) are in our guides and in these official documents.
What we could not read
| Subject | Situation |
|---|---|
| Cantonal minimum wage | Not read: no official Basel-Landschaft page accessible. Check the collective agreement of your sector (see our guide on the CCNT) |
| Number of cross-border workers | Not read for Basel-Landschaft |
| Cantonal tax procedure | Not read (residence certificate, employer filings) |
5. Getting around
| Mode | What we read |
|---|---|
| Gästepass+ | Guests of the canton's accommodation can use public transport in the Basel region free of charge and get discounts on more than 20 leisure offers |
| Baselland-CARD | Gift card usable at more than 65 partners |
| Liestal station | Capital; bus 72 links Liestal, Pratteln, Augst and Kaiseraugst to the stop "Liestal, Abzw. Hersberg", then a 25-minute walk to the Liestal tower |
| Wasserfallen | Cable car Reigoldswil – Wasserfallen, starting point of many hikes |
| Langenbruck – Oberbölchen shuttle | Nine-seat minibus, every Sunday from 20 September to 29 November 2026, from Langenbruck to Oberbölchen via Schönthal monastery and the Chilchzimmersattel |
| Arlesheim | Tram "Arlesheim, Dorf" (five minutes' walk from the Ermitage); bus stop "Arlesheim Dom" |
We did not read a network map, timetables or fares. Check your journey on the SBB site before choosing where to live.
6. Eating and drinking
Markets
| Market | When |
|---|---|
| Gnussmärt Liestal | Every Saturday, 8 am – 1 pm, Rathausstrasse |
| Buuremärt Sissach | Every Friday, 7:45 – 11 am |
| Wochenmarkt Therwil | Every Wednesday, 8:15 am – 12 noon |
| Gemüsemarkt Arlesheim | Every Friday, 9 – 11 am, village centre |
| Wochenmarkt Laufen | Every Friday, 8 am – 12 noon, Rathausplatz |
Specialities and places
| Place | What we read |
|---|---|
| FoodTrail Liestal | Gourmet treasure hunt in the old town: solve riddles to find tasting stations; starts at the tourist office, Rathausstrasse 30 |
| Genusswelt Läckerli Huus (Frenkendorf) | Interactive exhibition with a view into the bakery, Flachsackerstrasse 50 |
| Ricola Erlebnisshop (Laufen) | Experience shop, Amtshausgasse 3; Tuesday to Friday 10 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 – 6:30 pm |
| Wine | The Baselbiet has grown vines since Roman times; the tourist board offers vineyard visits, tastings and the Baselbieter Reben-Route |
| Baselbieter Genusswoche | Every year in September: in 2026, eleven days and more than 50 events (10 – 20 September); the next one, 16 to 26 September 2027 |
The tourist board also sorts restaurants into categories ("Gault&Millau", "traditional", "hikers' inns"…). No list of names was read, so we give no restaurant addresses.
7. What to see and do
Augusta Raurica and monuments
| Place | What we read |
|---|---|
| Augusta Raurica (Augst) | More than 2 million finds archived; the Silberschatz (58 kg of silver, 270 objects) is not on display during the exhibition "Das perfekte Dinner. Römer, Macht und Müll". Open-air site open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free; museum and Römerhaus daily 10 am – 5 pm from March to October, Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 3 pm from November to February (address: Giebenacherstrasse 17) |
| Augusta Raurica theatre | Theatre programme in summer 2027; augmented-reality tour "Architectus – Mission Theater" in testing |
| Arlesheim Cathedral (Dom) | One of Switzerland's most important baroque buildings, consecrated in 1681; the tourist board presents it as Switzerland's only "Dom" |
| Weiherschloss Bottmingen | Moated castle, "one of the most photographed motifs of the Baselbiet", turned into a Louis XIV-style country seat, now a restaurant |
| Kloster Schönthal (Langenbruck) | Former Benedictine monastery mentioned as early as 1145, Romanesque church, sculpture park always open |
| Ruine Farnsburg | Castle around 1330 (counts of Tierstein), then seat of the bailiffs from 1461, destroyed in 1798; audio tour with nine stories since summer 2024 |
Museums
| Museum | What we read |
|---|---|
| Museum.BL (Liestal, Zeughausplatz 28) | "Thematic museum for children and adults"; closed Monday, Tuesday to Friday 9 am – 4 pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10 am – 5 pm |
| Kunsthaus Baselland (Münchenstein, Helsinki-Strasse 5) | Contemporary art; Tuesday to Friday 11 am – 6 pm (Thursday until 8 pm), Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm |
| Forum Würth (Arlesheim, Dornwydenweg 11) | Exhibitions from the Würth collection, free admission; Tuesday to Sunday 11 am – 5 pm |
| Primeo Energie Kosmos (Münchenstein, Weidenstrasse 6) | Science centre on climate and energy; 30-minute show |
| Oris (Hölstein, Ribigasse 1) | Watchmaking store and "Erlebniswelt", behind-the-scenes tours; booking by phone appreciated |
| Salina Helvetica (Pratteln, Rheinstrasse 52) | Visitor centre on Swiss salt; not pinned |
Nature and leisure
- Ermitage in Arlesheim: the largest English landscape garden in Switzerland, park always accessible; Birseck castle ruin is open from May to September.
- Tierpark Weihermätteli (Liestal): animal park accessible day and night and free; pony rides on Wednesdays 2 – 4 pm.
- Merian Gärten (Brüglingen): botanical garden "of beauty and calm".
- Liestal tower (Schleifenberg): built in 1891 with donations from the population, 606 m above sea level, 30 m high, admission CHF 0.50, open 6 am – 8 pm.
- Wisenbergturm (Häfelfingen): over 1,000 m, 24.5 m tower; Belchenflue (1,098.9 m), Chellenchöpfli (1,156 m, the canton's second-highest summit), Sissacherflue (700 m).
- aquabasilea (Pratteln): wave pool, nine water slides, twelve saunas; open 365 days a year (baths 10 am – 10 pm, saunas 10 am – 11 pm).
- Trailcenter Aesch: free mountain-bike park (voluntary contribution).
8. Bars, cellars and nights out
The tourist board presents a "lively" cultural scene, "from small stages to innovative cultural centres":
| Venue | What we read |
|---|---|
| Konzerthalle Z7 (Pratteln, Kraftwerkstrasse 7) | Concert hall cited by the tourist board |
| Kulturscheune Liestal | Cultural venue in Liestal |
| Elefantehuus (Liestal) | Cultural venue cited by the tourist board |
| Marabu (Gelterkinden, Schulgasse 5a) | Cultural venue in Gelterkinden |
| Alts Schlachthuus (Laufen, Seidenweg 55) | Cultural venue in Laufen |
| Theater Roxy (Birsfelden, Muttenzerstrasse 6) | Theatre |
In Liestal, the tourist board also cites the WÄBEREI (event venue), the Sputnik cinema and the Kunsthalle Palazzo. No official list of clubs was read: we kept only the venues cited by the tourist board, without programme.
9. Festivals and highlights
| Event | When | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Lichtblicke Kulturnacht Liestal | November 2026 (exact date not read) | Culture night in Liestal |
| Chienbäse Liestal | 14 February 2027 | Fire procession in Liestal's old town |
| Trail Days Baselland | 24 and 25 April 2027 | Event listed by the tourist board under mountain biking |
| Oltiger Määrt | 24 and 25 April 2027 | Oltingen market (judging by its name) |
| Summerstage Basel (Münchenstein) | 1 to 3 July 2027 | Summer event; details not read |
| Theater Augusta Raurica | Summer 2027 | Theatre at the Roman theatre |
| Römerfest Augusta Raurica | 28 and 29 August 2027 | Roman festival |
| Das Wy-Erläbnis ("the wine experience") | 28 August 2027 | Wine-related event; details not read |
| Baselbieter Genusswoche | 16 to 26 September 2027 | Food week across the canton |
Sources
- Constitution of the canton of Basel-Landschaft (SGS 100): version in force since 15 June 2026; § 3, 21, 27, 28, 31, 40, 41, 43, 53, 57, 61, 71. Text in German.
- Federal Statistical Office: permanent and non-permanent resident population (table px-x-0102010000_101, 2025): population, foreign nationals, Liestal, Liestal district.
- Agreement of 11 April 1983 between the Swiss Federal Council and the Government of the French Republic on the taxation of cross-border workers' income; Federal Tax Administration: France page (teleworking understanding); teleworking understanding, 30 June 2023 and information sheet.
- Aargau cantonal tax office: information sheet on the taxation of cross-border workers (list of agreement cantons) and Basel-Stadt 2026 tax brochure (40% teleworking).
- Site guides, checked against official sources: G permit, contract and salary (CCNT).
- Baselland Tourismus (places, addresses, hours, markets, events); Augusta Raurica; City of Liestal.
- Map coordinates: © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked address by address when the address is known; base map © swisstopo.
Want to work in Liestal?
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