Company Registration in Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein Limited Liability Company (GmbH)

Company registration in Liechtenstein as a limited liability company, locally known as Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung or GmbH is a structure ideal for start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and foreign companies. You can establish a limited liability company (LLC) in Liechtenstein for most business activities however, you are not permitted to conduct banking or insurance business through an LLC.

In a limited liability company, you are allowed to conduct both commercial and non-commercial business activities, but you will need to apply for permission to do business and apply for an industry-specific business license in Liechtenstein, listed in Article 8 of the Liechtenstein Commercial Law.

If you are a citizen from the EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, you will get easy access for permission, but for other countries, you will require a German-speaking resident managing director.

The Liechtenstein Stiftung (Foundation)

Company registration in Liechtenstein as a foundation, locally known as Stiftung, is a structure mostly suitable for holding assets, properties, shares and investments. The main purpose of a foundation is to help manage a family's global assets privately, while also making it easier to pass them on to family members in the future. Therefore, it is commonly used to hold, pass and receive income from assets.

When setting up a foundation, you will have to pay a one-time government fee of 0.2% of the foundation's value and a 1% tax on its starting capital. Additionally, there is no tax in Liechtenstein when the foundation gives assets to its beneficiaries. For a foundation, you will need to appoint a board of directors for advisory, who will be responsible for assisting, supporting and supervising in the foundation’s performance of its duties and obligations.

The Anstalt (Establishment)

Company registration in Liechtenstein as an establishment, locally known as an Anstalt, is a structure used mainly for tax purposes by foreign companies. Establishment is popularly used as a holding company for overseas subsidiaries.

Registering a foreign entity in Liechtenstein through an Anstalt allows businesses to benefit from favourable tax rates and flexible corporate structuring. The Liechtenstein establishment needs a board of directors, but it does not require shareholders or members for incorporation.

The complete control and responsibility of an establishment are granted to the founder. Therefore, Anstalt is an autonomous fund controlled by the founder of the establishment for the beneficiaries. For incorporation, you will need a minimum capital of CHF30,000 and require corporate compliance in Liechtenstein, such as annual audit and bookkeeping. The benefit of an establishment is that the structure allows both commercial and non-commercial business activities.

Liechtenstein Trust Enterprise

Company registration in Liechtenstein as a trust enterprise is a structure similar to a foundation, but has a different legal structure and operations.

A Liechtenstein trust is also used for the long-term protection of assets, family assets or for estate planning. Liechtenstein company setup as a trust enterprise is established by a settlor through a Deed of Trust, which must include the name and purpose of the trust, the composition of the trust fund, the identities of the trustees and in case the purpose of the enterprise is commercial, you will also need the identity of the auditors.

The Deed of Trust must be filed with the Liechtenstein Registrar of Trusts along with a minimum capital of CHF30,000. Additionally, in a Liechtenstein trust structure, your trust deed can have a clause to protect the rights of the beneficiary or beneficiaries.