Aktiengesellschaft · company limited by shares
The company limited by shares is one of the most common company forms in Switzerland. Its abbreviation follows the language of its entry in the commercial register: AG in German, SA in French and Italian. In English the abbreviation stays as registered, never plc or Inc.
Request a demoThe term in four languages
- German
- Aktiengesellschaft
- French
- société anonyme
- Italian
- società anonima
- English
- company limited by shares
Definition
A company limited by shares is a company with a business name and a capital divided into shares. It is liable for its obligations only to the extent of its own assets. Shareholders are not personally liable for the company's obligations: they are only required to pay up their shares. The company acquires legal personality through entry in the commercial register. Its mandatory governing bodies are the general meeting and the board of directors. As a rule, it also has an external auditor. However, a company subject to a limited audit may dispense with that audit, and thus with the external auditor, if it has no more than ten full-time positions on annual average. All the shareholders must consent (Art. 727a CO).
Swiss federal acts are published in German, French and Italian, and all three versions are equally authoritative. The English term shown here comes from the Federal Administration's English translation, published on Fedlex for information only. Where there is no translation, it follows common usage.
Full glossaryThe term in an official text
powered by Neur.onDie Aktiengesellschaft ist eine Kapitalgesellschaft, an der eine oder mehrere Personen oder Handelsgesellschaften beteiligt sind. Für ihre Verbindlichkeiten haftet nur das Gesellschaftsvermögen.
The company limited by shares is a company in which one or more persons or commercial enterprises participate. It is liable for its obligations to the extent of the company’s assets.
Source: Fedlex, Code of Obligations. In Corrext, this segment and the ones around it appear in Fast lookup CHnell, each with its reference.
Related terms
The supreme governing body of a company limited by shares, made up of its shareholders.
Verwaltungsrat · board of directorsThe body that manages a company limited by shares and determines its organisation.
Handelsregister · commercial registerThe public register that records Swiss legal entities.