The Register of Beneficial Owners (VwbP) was introduced in Liechtenstein to implement the European anti-money laundering directives. The Act on the Register of Beneficial Owners of Domestic Legal Entities (VwEG) first entered into force in 2019, implementing the requirements of the 4th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. The aim is to strengthen the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and related offences.

The 5th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive expanded the requirements for the register. These include, in particular, greater transparency, additional obligations to report discrepancies, extended rights of inspection, and stronger supervision and control. In addition, the previous distinction between the German terms “wirtschaftlicher Eigentümer” and “wirtschaftlich berechtigte Person” (both “beneficial owner” in English) was abolished and the terminology aligned with the due diligence legislation.

The current register contains information on the beneficial owners of legal entities and serves the competent authorities and certain obliged entities as an important instrument for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

The register contains data on the beneficial owners of legal entities. Legal entities include companies, foundations, and trusts. It records the name of the structure as well as the surname, first name, date of birth, nationality, and country of residence of the structure’s beneficial owners.

The Act on the Register of the Beneficial Owners of Legal Entities (VwbPG) entered into force in 2021.