An Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) is a type of fund that can invest in other assets than the usual stock, bond, or cash categories. Liechtenstein is a preferred destination for foreign investors seeking to set up AIFs thanks to the favorable legislation.
Below, our company formation agents in Liechtenstein invite you to discover the main requirements for opening an AIF.
The procedure of setting up an investment fund in Liechtenstein is usually the same no matter its type. From this point of view, the main stages are:
Even if these steps are simple, the procedure implies respecting additional regulations in comparison with the process of opening a company in Liechtenstein. For this purpose, it is important to understand the legislation concerning AIFs.
Investors who want to open Alternative Investment Funds in Liechtenstein must abide by the following laws:
Apart from these, it is useful to note that even if Liechtenstein is not an EU member state, it has adhered to the most important directives related to AIFs and other types of investment funds.
In order to be considered a Liechtenstein-based fund, the AIF must have its legal seat in the Principality.
AIFs can be set up as:
With respect to the legal forms they can take, AIFs may be formed as partnerships referred to as a limited partnership with one unlimited partner or limited partnership without unlimited partners, as a trust or a corporate entity with fixed or variable capital.
You can rely on our company registration agents in Liechtenstein for the incorporation of a legal form for setting up an AIF. The procedure in this case does not differ from that of a commercial enterprise.
An AIF in Liechtenstein must apply for an investment license with the Financial Market Authority. The following information must be included in the license application:
In order to obtain its license, the AIF must provide the following information:
Apart from the FMA license, in order to open an AIF in Liechtenstein, the manager must also obtain a specific permit under the AIFM directive.
If you need assistance in creating an Alternative Investment Fund in the Principality, please contact our Liechtenstein company formation consultants.