The establishment in Liechtenstein is an independent legal entity under private law and is not to be confused with the public-law institutions of other states. The special feature of the Liechtenstein establishment is its flexibility: it can be set up as a foundation or a corporation. Due to this flexibility, the establishment in Liechtenstein has many possible applications, both in the fields of succession planning, asset preservation and asset protection, as well as in commercial and entrepreneurial areas.
Liechtenstein company law allows for the following types of Liechtenstein establishments:
In the case of an establishment with founder's rights, the holder or holders of the founder's rights constitute the supreme body, whereas in the case of an establishment without founder's rights, the board of directors constitutes the supreme body. This legal body has powers comparable to those of the general meeting of a stock corporation. The founder's rights are transferable, but cannot be pledged or otherwise encumbered.
