KNOWLEDGE BASE

CORPORATE INFORMATION

LIECHTENSTEIN COMPANY INFORMATION

Type of company for international Trade and Investment

• Aktiengesellschaft - AG Ltd (Company Limited by Shares)
• Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung - GmbH (Private Limited Company without Shares)
• Anstalt (Establishment, commercial and non-commercial without shares)
• Stiftung (Foundation)
• Treuunternehmen (Registered Trust)
• Treuhandschaft (Trust)

There are three main types of entities in use - the Establishment or Anstalt, the family foundation and the company limited by shares. The most important entity for tax purposes is the Anstalt, which is commonly used by foreign companies as a holding company for overseas subsidiaries. The Anstalt is an entity, which has no members, participants or shareholders but a holder of the founder's rights, and is a hybrid between a company limited by shares and a foundation. It is popular because, with minor exceptions, it is free to conduct all kinds of business, including non-trading activities such as holding passive investments.

Procedure to Incorporate

The procedure for the establishment of Liechtenstein entities follows Civil Law practice. The procedure requires the submission to the Offentlichkeitsregister (Public Registry) of the following information:

• The Deed constituting the statutes signed by the subscriber or agent.
• The proposed name of the company. Share capital, division of capital and type of shares (where appropriate).
• A declaration that the minimum capital has been paid in to a Bank in either Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
• Names, addresses and nationalities of directors and confirmation that they consent to act as directors.
• Confirmation that a Liechtenstein resident representative has been appointed.

Restrictions on Trading

A Liechtenstein body corporate or trust cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes or any other activity that would suggest an association with the Banking or Finance industries, unless a special licence is obtained.

Powers of Company

The powers of Liechtenstein bodies corporate are contained in the Company's statutes (within the framework of the PGR), but may be defined in such a way to provide general powers.

Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

German, but foreign language translations can be obtained.

Registered Office Required

Entities must appoint a local representative.

Shelf Companies Available

Owing to the costs associated with incorporation and the paid up share capital requirements, shelf companies are not widely available.

Time to Incorporate

Subject to the proposed name being approved by the Public Registry and the criteria for incorporation has been strictly adhered to, a body corporate or trust can be established in 3-5 working days.

Name Restrictions

A name that is identical or similar to an existing name. A major name that is known to exist elsewhere. A name that may imply government patronage. A name that in the opinion of the Registrar may be considered undesirable.

Language of Name

The name of a body corporate or trust entity may use any language using the Latin alphabet, but the Public Registry may require a German translation.

Names Requiring Consent or a Licence

The following names or their derivatives: bank, building society, savings, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, investment fund, Liechtenstein, state, country, municipality, principality, Red Cross and their foreign language equivalents.

Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability

• Aktiengesellschaft - AG Ltd or SA Ltd.
• Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung - GmbH. Anstalt - Establishment

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LIECHTENSTEIN COMPLIANCE

Authorised and Issued Share Capital

The minimum authorised issued and paid up share capital for:

• An Aktiengesellschaft is CHF 50,000.
• An Anstalt is CHF 30,000.
• A Stiftung is CHF 30,000.
• A Trust Enterprise is CHF 30,000.

Classes of Shares Permitted

An Aktiengesellschaft may issue registered, bearer, no par value, preference shares and shares with special voting rights. A GmbH, Anstalt, Stiftung and a Trust do not have shares. (The founder's / owner's rights are expressed in a deed or in by-laws.)

Taxation

In September 2010, Liechtenstein’s government adopted a new Tax Act, designed to modernize the existing Liechtenstein Tax Act of 1961 and includes a 12.5% flat rate of corporate tax (minimum tax CHF 1,200.00 per annum). The Act came into force on 1st January 2011.

Double Taxation Agreements

Austria and Luxembourg.

Licence Fee

See taxation.

Financial Statements Required

• An Aktiengesellschaft and GmbH are required to submit audited financial statements to the Liechtenstein tax administrator for assessment.
• A commercial Anstalt is required to submit audited financial statements to the Liechtenstein tax administrator.
• A non-commercial Anstalt need not submit accounts to the Liechtenstein tax administrator, solely a statement of assets and liabilities has to be drawn up.
• A Stiftung need not submit accounts to the Liechtenstein tax administrator; solely a statement of assets and liabilities has to be drawn up.

Directors

The minimum number of directors for Aktiengesellschaft, GmbH and Anstalt is one. The directors may be natural persons or bodies corporate and can be of any nationality, but at least one director must be a natural person, a resident of Liechtenstein and qualified to act. The Liechtenstein Stiftung does not have a board of directors, but appoints a Foundation Council, who may be natural persons or bodies corporate. They may be of any nationality but at least one member of the Council must be a natural person, a resident of Liechtenstein and qualified to act.

Company Secretary

The concept of a company secretary is not recognised in The Principality of Liechtenstein.

Shareholders

The minimum number of shareholders/equity participants/ beneficiaries of any Liechtenstein entity is one, except of the GmbH, which requires two.

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