Liechtenstein "ANSTALT" (Establishment)

Liechtenstein

 

 

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Corporate Features

 

GENERAL
Type of Company
AG
Anstalt
Political Stability
Excellent
Common or Civil Law
Civil
Disclosure of Beneficial Owner
No
Migration of Domicile Permitted
Yes
Tax on Offshore Profits
Nil
Nil
Language of Name
Latin Alphabet
CORPORATE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Number of Shareholders
One
One holder of the Founders rights
Minimum Number of Directors
One
One
Bearer Shares Allowed
Yes
Other solution
Corporate Directors Permitted
Yes
Yes
Company Secretary Required
No
No
Standard Authorised Share Capital
CHF 50,000
CHF 30,000
LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Registered Office/Agent
Yes
Yes
Company Secretary
No
No
Local Directors
Yes
Yes
Local Meetings
No
No
Government Register of Directors
Yes
Yes
Government Register of Shareholders
No
No
ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS
Annual Return
Yes
Yes
Submit Accounts
Yes
Yes / No
RECURRING GOVERNMENT COSTS
Minimum Annual Tax/Licence Fee
CHF 1,000
CHF 1,000
Annual Return Filing Fee
N/A
N/A

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Principality of Liechtenstein lies in the region of the Upper Rhine between the Swiss Canton of St. Gall and the Austrian Federal State of Vorarlberg. The topography is mainly mountainous, other than the Rhine Valley, which is the most populated area.

POPULATION

The Principality of Liechtenstein has a population of approximately 30,000 people.

POLITICAL STRUCTURE

The Reigning Prince is Head of State and the Diet (parliament) has 25 elected members who propose the Head of Government, Deputy and 3 Councillors who form the Government and are not members of the Diet. Liechtenstein is a member of the United Nations; the Council of Europe, EFTA and the EEA, and membership of these does not influence local fiscal policy.

LANGUAGE

The official language of The Principality of Liechtenstein is German, although a dialect is spoken widely. English is also spoken and is used in most commercial transactions and communications.

CURRENCY

The official currency of The Principality of Liechtenstein is the Swiss Franc.

EXCHANGE CONTROL

Under the treaty with Switzerland, there are no foreign Exchange Controls.

TYPE OF LAW

Civil Law. Based on Swiss and Austrian law with local adaptations.

PRINCIPAL CORPORATE LEGISLATION

Personen und Gesellschaftsrecht mit dem Gesetz über das Treuhandunternehmen 1926 (Persons and Companies Law with the Law on Registered Trusts).

COMPANY INFORMATION

TYPE OF COMPANY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT:

Aktiengesellschaft – AG (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)

One of the main attractions of Liechtenstein is its extremely flexible company law, which allows for the creation of any type of legal organisation, which is recognised under the law of any jurisdiction in the world. 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 (not the By-laws) 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 SCALE 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.

Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung – GmbH.

Anstalt – Establishment

DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNER TO AUTHORITIES

None, but the identity of the beneficial owners must be provided to the local representatives/trust management company only.

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.)

BEARER SHARES PERMITTED

Yes, for Aktiengesellschaft only.

TAXATION

An Aktiengesellschaft pays a 4% coupon tax on dividends and an annual capital tax of 0.1% on the net asset value of the company. The annual minimum is CHF 1,000.

An Anstalt, whether commercial or non-commercial provided the capital has not been divided does not pay a coupon tax, but has to pay an annual capital tax of 0.1% on the net asset value of the company. The annual minimum is CHF 1,000.

A Stiftung, whether registered or deposited, does not pay a coupon tax, but has to pay an annual capital tax of 0.1% on the net asset value of the company. The annual minimum is CHF 1,000.

Trusts pay a minimum annual tax of CHF 1,000 – or 0.1% on the net asset value.

DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTS

Liechtenstein has only one double tax agreement, which is with Austria.

LICENCE FEES

See taxation.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS

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.

Liechtenstein Exempt
Incorporation Fees 8000.00


RELATED PRODUCTS

Liechtenstein Exempt Incorporation Fees — 8000.00 EUR



with Bank Account – ADD €1000.00



Courier Fees – ADD €60.00



with Domiciliation & Administration Fees – ADD €7000.00




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