Company Formation in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is chosen by many foreign investors who want to start a business in a country where they can benefit from incentives granted by the local authorities for the commercial entities. Our company fomation specialists in Liechtenstein can guide them through all the process of company incorporation in this country.

The company registration in Liechtenstein doesn’t take long if all the documents are properly submitted. The foreign entrepreneurs must choose the right type of company to establish, considering various aspects such as the share capital, the objectives and the total number of shareholders.

Types of Liechtenstein entities

The main types of companies that can be incorporated by an entrepreneur who wants to open a company in Liechtenstein are:
limited liability company (also known as GmbH), which is the most employed type of company;
company limited by shares (Aktiengesellschaft  or AG), which is the equivalent of a public company in other countries;
foundation (Stiftung), which is very sought due to the many tax advantages it offers;
establishment (Anstalt) – this a unique business form which can be created in Liechtenstein;
trust enterprise, which is also a specific business form available in Liechtenstein.

A form of business specific to the small and medium businesses is the limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung or GmbH) which has to be established with a minimum capital share of EUR 30,000. This type of company can be used for commercial and non-commercial activities, will have a board of directors and it needs a local registered office. In case you need a virtual office for your business, our company formation specialists in Liechtenstein can offer you a registered address where you can find everything you need.

Another type of company you can open in Liechtenstein is a company limited by shares, for which you need a minimum share capital of EUR 50,000. The company formation process is similar to that of an LLC and the main difference between the two types of companies is that the private limited company has an increased transferability of shares and a larger capital. The corporate tax to be paid by both types of companies is the same – 12.5% –  and both need minimum one shareholder and a registered office.

The foundation cannot be used for international commercial trading, but as a holding company or an investment holding company. It doesn’t need a board of directors or shareholders and the minimum share capital is EUR 30,000. Besides the corporate tax, it must pay a net assets tax at a rate of 2.5% and it needs a registered office. The establishment can be used for commercial activities, as a holding or investment company.

The trust enterprise can act as a holding company and the minimum share capital is EUR 30,000.

Subsidiaries, branches and liaison offices in Liechtenstein

Foreign companies interested in opening a company in Liechtenstein have three options:

the subsidiary which is an independent legal entity;
the branch office which is a satellite of the parent company;
the liaison office which is a not a legal entity and can only undertake non-commercial activities.
Foreign companies seeking to establish a business form in Liechtenstein will choose the structure in accordance with their objectives.

The most chosen business forms are the subsidiary and the branch office, and the main differences between them reside in:

the degree of independence: the subsidiary is an independent business form, while the branch office is not;
the branch office will only complete the activities of the parent company on the Liechtenstein market, while the subsidiary can offer other services as well;
the subsidiary will take the form of a limited liability company most of the times compared to the branch office;
from a taxation point of view, the subsidiary will be taxed on its worldwide income, while the branch office will be taxed on the income derived from Liechtenstein.
The Liechtenstein representative office, on the other hand, can be established for a limited period of time and, at the end of that period, it can be turned into a branch office or a subsidiary. Our company registration consultants in Liechtenstein can advise on all these business forms.

Company incorporation process in Liechtenstein

The main steps an entrepreneur must take in Liechtenstein before starting to perform commercial activities are: notarizing the company’s articles of association, opening a bank account and depositing the minimum share capital, checking the company name availability in the Public Register and depositing the above at the Liechtenstein Public Registry.

If the company has an annual turnover above EUR 100,000, it must also register for VAT. Social services must also be notified if the company will hire personnel. The whole process of establishment of a new company doesn’t take longer than a week.

Liechtenstein company formation documents

Foreign entrepreneurs interested in opening companies in Liechtenstein will be required to submit a set of documents with the Trade Register.

These documents are:
the shareholders’ identification papers which must be notarized;
proof of having a registered address in Liechtenstein;
the company’s memorandum and articles of association which must be drafted and notarized;
information about the company’s manager or managers, such as their identification papers and qualification;
the bank reference indicating the share capital was deposited in the Liechtenstein bank.
It should be noted that any company registered in Liechtenstein is required to appoint a resident director. Also, the director must have a clean criminal record, as an extract from the police department will be required. The extract must be filed with the Trade Registry in Liechtenstein together with the proof of the qualifications of the director.

Requirements to register a company in Liechtenstein

The first part of the Company Law specifies the requirements for opening a company in Liechtenstein. According to these provisions, the most important one is for the company to have a registered address (place of management) in Liechtenstein. Also, all types of companies must be registered with the Trade Register in order to be recognized by the authorities.

The Liechtenstein Commercial Law also stipulates that both natural persons and corporations are allowed to set up business in the Principality. These must clearly state the objects of activity when registering a business here. These activities must appear in the articles of association of the company.

The articles of association when opening a company in Liechtenstein

At the base of each legal entity created in Liechtenstein are the articles of association which contain various provisions regarding the internal regulations.

The entities are governed by specific bodies, formed by natural persons or corporate bodies. Major decisions are taken by the multiple member body. The decisions are valid only if the majority of the members vote for them (unless stipulated otherwise by the founding acts).

The domiciles of the legal entities are usually established where the administrative centre is. Our company registration agents in Liechtenstein can assist with the preparation of the articles of association of a company.

The Company Act provides for the content of the articles of association of a company in Liechtenstein which must be drafted in accordance with Article 389 of in the afore mentioned law.  The first article in the statutory documents must state the name of the company, its registered address and the duration of the company which can be limited to a period of time or unlimited.

Then, the articles of association of a company in Liechtenstein must offer information on the following:

the purpose and the object or objects of activity of the company;
the shareholders;
the management structure of the company;
the share capital of the company;
the date of the annual general meeting;
how the shares are divided;
how the share capital can be altered;
the rights and obligations of each shareholder;
details about the dissolution and liquidation of the company.
Apart from these, the articles of association in Liechtenstein may also contain special provisions.

Special provisions in the articles of association in Liechtenstein

Apart from the information mentioned above which is mandatory when opening a company in Liechtenstein, the shareholders also have the possibility of customizing the articles of association of their companies by including special provisions related to the management of the company, such as how the directors or managers can be appointed or dismissed or clauses related to the resolution of possible disputes.

How we can help you

If you are considering forming a business or you need expert help with company registration in Liechtenstein, MagickFormations™ is ready to assist you with its skilled team of lawyers, consultants and tax experts. We are committed to making the process as stress-free and streamlined as possible for you, and we will take care of all your document preparation and administrative tasks regarding the registration forms, payment of government fees, local address registration, banking support, etc., whilst always keeping your exact objectives and unique vision in mind throughout the process.

Please use our Formation Wizard if you would like to set up your registered company in Liechtenstein or if you would like to know the costs involved prior to proceeding with our exceptional services. For other queries and special requests for complex or customised company formation services, please contact us at connect@magickgroup.com