Yhtiötyypit

Yhtiötyypit, or company types, refer to the various legal structures that businesses can adopt in Finland. These structures define the rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of the owners. The most common yhtiötyyppi is the osakeyhtiö (Oy), or limited liability company. In an Oy, the owners' liability is limited to the amount of capital they have invested in the company. This offers significant protection to shareholders from personal financial losses beyond their investment.

Another prevalent form is the kommandiittiyhtiö (Ky), or limited partnership. A Ky has at least one general partner with unlimited liability and one or more limited partners whose liability is restricted to their capital contribution. The general partner manages the company, while limited partners typically have a more passive role.

The avoin yhtiö (Ay), or general partnership, is a simpler structure where all partners have unlimited liability for the company's debts. Partners in an Ay are jointly and severally liable, meaning each partner can be held responsible for the entire debt of the partnership.

Less common but still relevant are such forms as the osuuskunta (cooperative), where members own and control the entity, and the yksityinen elinkeinonharjoittaja (sole proprietorship), where a single individual owns and operates the business with unlimited personal liability. The choice of yhtiötyyppi has significant implications for taxation, administrative requirements, and owner liability, making it a crucial decision when establishing a business in Finland.