A Liechtenstein SICAV company is an entity with a variable share capital which is split between the investors’ and company’s shares. Another particularity is that its assets are the only ones that can be used to cover its liabilities, while its main goal is to invest in capital.
The SICAV is used to set up various types of investment funds in Liechtenstein, so if you want to create one, you can rely on our local consultants.
A Liechtenstein SICAV can take the form of a public limited joint stock company, or a European company. It can be founded as an investment company with the intent of managing and investing its assets in the name of its investors. Other characteristics include:
From a management point of view, it can be administered internally or externally. Its only goal is to oversee its funds and sub-funds.
If you want to open a company in Liechtenstein to take the form of a SICAV, you can get more information about its features from our local advisors.
As mentioned above, the SICAV can be externally managed, namely it can outsource both administration and portfolio management tasks or can be self-managed, namely it manages its own administration and may delegate portfolio management activities.
It is important to distinguish between SICAVs that are externally managed and those that are self-managed. The former may appoint only licensed management companies to handle their administration, while the latter may only forward investment decisions to authorized management entities.
Our company registration consultants in Liechtenstein can offer more information on the management of such a structure.
One of the main conditions to have a SICAV company operational is to obtain a license from the Financial Market Authority in Liechtenstein. It also needs to get approval for its Articles of Association and investment laws, which are its constitutive documents.
For Liechtenstein SICAVs, the following authorization and approval criteria must be met:
Our company formation agents in Liechtenstein can offer more information about the licensing requirements for this type of company.
A SICAV investment company is fully liable for the corporate income tax on its whole taxable income in Liechtenstein if it has its management or registered office there. It is required to pay an annual flat income tax rate of 12.5% on its income.
According to the Investment Funds Association, at the beginning of 2023:
For guidance in opening a SICAV in Liechtenstein, please contact our local advisors.