Glossary · Legal forms

Asset management GmbH (vermögensverwaltende GmbH)

Also: vermögensverwaltende GmbH, Immobilien-GmbH, Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft, property GmbH, investment GmbH

In short

An asset management GmbH manages its own assets, such as real estate, securities or shareholdings, instead of running an operating business. It is often used as a holding company or to invest accumulated profits.

Asset management GmbH (vermögensverwaltende GmbH) explained

Legally, it is a normal GmbH with all the obligations: notary, commercial register, balance sheet, annual financial statements and disclosure. For tax purposes, its activity as a corporation is always deemed to be a commercial business (Sec. 2 (2) GewStG), even if it only manages assets. Its profit is subject to corporation tax and trade tax, not to the shareholders' personal income tax rate. If it holds shareholdings, dividends and capital gains remain largely tax-free under Sec. 8b KStG. Only the distribution to you is taxed privately. Whether this pays off for you depends on the individual case and is a matter for your tax adviser.

Legal basisSec. 2 (2) GewStG, Sec. 8b KStG

Matching service

Form a holding

€599net plus VAT, notary and court fees, IHK and trade registration costs

View service

Related terms

Corporation (Kapitalgesellschaft)In a corporation, the capital contributed is what matters, not the person of the shareholders; examples are the GmbH, UG and AG. It is a legal entity and in principle is only liable with the company's assets.GmbH (limited liability company)The GmbH is a corporation and legal entity formed by one or more persons with at least €25,000 share capital. As soon as it is entered in the commercial register, in principle only the company's assets are liable for its debts.Commercial register (Handelsregister)The commercial register is a public, electronically kept register of merchants and commercial companies, maintained by the register courts. Division A (HRA) lists, for example, sole traders, OHGs and KGs; division B (HRB) lists, for example, GmbHs, UGs and AGs.Corporation tax (Körperschaftsteuer)Corporation tax is the tax on the profits of corporations such as the GmbH and UG. Until 2027 it is 15% plus solidarity surcharge, after which it falls gradually to 10% from 2032.eGbRThe eGbR is a GbR that is entered in the partnership register at the local court and carries the suffix "eGbR". Registration has been possible since 1 January 2024 and is voluntary, but it is a prerequisite for acquiring real estate or GmbH shares.Foundation (Stiftung)A foundation is a legal entity without members, endowed with assets in order to fulfil a purpose set by the founder permanently and sustainably. It comes into existence through the act of establishment and recognition by the competent state authority.

Your case starts here.

Get started

Personal advice
Directly from a lawyer

Transparent fixed prices
with no surprises.

Response within
24 hours

Securely insured
up to €2.5 million

No legal jargon, just clear answers.

The Recht 24/7 newsletter: deadlines, rulings and tips for founders and clients. Once a month.