INCORPORATION
LIECHTENSTEIN
See also: LCG-Special-Website Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein foundation formation - legal and taxation information
| Company Type: | Foundation - Registered Foundation - Non-registered Foundation |
| Name: | The company name can be selected in any language. References to countries or regions require special authorisation. |
| Capital: | Minimum capital required is 30 000 CHF; investment in kind possible; donations possible after incorporation. |
| Shares: | No shares or share certificates. The foundation comprises a "specific body of assets" with a particular beneficiary. |
| Commercial register (Public Register) | Yes |
| Registered Agent Requirement: | At least 1 member of the foundation board must be resident in Liechtenstein. |
| Registered Headquarters: | Yes |
| Entry in the Public Register: | Yes, if the foundation pursues a trade in a commercial manner or the statutes of the foundation provide for this (so-called registered foundation). Otherwise foundations must not be entered in the public register, but the foundation deed must merely be deposited (so-called non-registered foundation). |
| Shareholders: | The founder can be a natural person or a legal entity, who remains anonymous and is represented by a founder in trust (Liechtenstein Trust Administration Institute). |
| Directors: | Yes (foundation board) |
| Auditor: | Yes; obligatory for registered foundations, otherwise optional. |
| Protector: | Optional; a protector can be appointed to oversee the foundation board. |
| Incorporation Period: | 1 week |
| Disclosure of Beneficial Owner: | No; the beneficiary is only named in the by-laws, which are neither entered in the public register nor deposited. |
| Disclosure of Shareholders: | No; the founder is publically represented by nominees appointed as founders in trust. |
| Disclosure of Directors: | Yes |
| Trading Restrictions: | The foundation is not suitable for the pursuit of commercial purposes. A foundation can only be run in a commercial manner if this facilitates the attainment of its non-economic purpose or when required for the preservation or administration of assets. |
| Taxation: | No |
| State Tax Charges: | Annual charge of 0.1% of the nominal capital and net asset value, or a minimum of 1 000 CHF. Annual charge of 0.075% on net asset value in excess of 2 million CHF, annual charge of 0.05% on net asset value of 10 million and above. |
| Double Taxation Agreements: | No |
| Financial Statements: | Yes; for registered foundations. No; for non-registered foundations. |
| Tax Returns: | Yes; only in relation to net asset value |
| Accounting: | No |
| Formation Costs: | 3 600,00 € |
| Annual Running Costs: | 6 700,00 € |
Other legal forms of company in Liechtenstein
Lichtenstein: general information
| Area: | 160 sq km |
| Capital: | Vaduz |
| GDP per capita: | In excess of 23 000 US$ |
| Unemployment Rate: | Less than 2% |
| Population: | 35 000 |
| Language: | German, English, French |
| Currency: | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
| Rate of Inflation: | 0,6% |
| Political Risks: | None |
| Cost of Living: | Equivalent to that of Switzerland |
| Communications: | Good |
| Residence Permit: | Difficult; however, it is possible to be employed or self-employed in Liechtenstein without having permanent residency. |
| Legal System: | Modelled on the Swiss and Austrian legal systems; Companies are regulated by the Persons and Companies Act of 1926 (with amendments) and the Trust Companies Act of 1928. |
| Exchange Control: | No |
| Patent Law: | Yes; Based on a treaty with Switzerland patents registered there are also protected in Liechtenstein. |
| Tax Information Exchange Agreement: | No |