GmbH

I

Austria

Gesellschaft mit beschrà¤nkter Haftung. Translates to "Company with limited liability." In Austria, this is often GesmbH, although this abbreviation is not used in Germany or Switzerland. In Austria, there must be at least two founding shareholders of a GmbH. Insurance companies and mortgage banking companies are not permitted to exist in this form. Minimum share capital is ATS 500,000, and at least half of this must be raised in cash. Minimum par value is ATS 1,000 per share. No citizenship or residence requirement for shareholders exists, and shareholders can be other companies. A general meeting must be held at least annually. If an Austrian GmbH controls companies with 300 or more employees, or if the company has more than 300 employees itself, there must be a supervisory board, which must have at least three members, one of whom represents the workers. The supervisory board must meet at least three times annually. Company Extensions and Security Identifiers

II

Germany

Gesellschaft mit beschrà¤nkter Haftung. Translates to "Company with limited liability." In Germany, a GmbH means that the company is incorporated, but it is not publicly traded (as public companies must be AG's). GmbH's are essentially partnerships without a legal name, and there must be at least two partners. There must be nominal capital of at least DM 50,000. Subsidiaries of AG's can be GmbH's. Company Extensions and Security Identifiers

III

Switzerland

Gesellschaft mit beschrà¤nkter Haftung. Translates to "Company with limited liability." In Switzerland, a GmbH cannot have shares, and the owners of the company are entered into the commercial registry. Nominees can be used for anonymity. Company Extensions and Security Identifiers

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GmbH GmbH written FINANCE ORGANIZATIONS

used in the names of German companies or businesses when the company is a limited liability company:

• BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH

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   German company title: abbreviation of Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, a limited liability company.

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GmbH UK US /ˌdʒIːembiːˈeɪtʃ/ noun

► ABBREVIATION for Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung: a legal form of company in German-speaking countries that is similar to limited companies in other countries