haftungsbeschränkt

Haftungsbeschränkt is a German legal term that translates to "limited liability." It is commonly appended to the end of a company name, such as GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung), to indicate that the liability of the company's owners or shareholders is limited to the amount of their investment in the company. This means that personal assets of the owners are generally protected from business debts and lawsuits.

The concept of limited liability is a fundamental principle in corporate law, designed to encourage investment and entrepreneurship by reducing the personal financial risk associated with business ownership. When a company is haftungsbeschränkt, it is treated as a separate legal entity from its owners. This separation is crucial, as it prevents creditors from pursuing the personal assets of the shareholders to satisfy the company's obligations.

Different legal structures in Germany incorporate this limitation of liability. The most common is the GmbH, but other forms like the AG (Aktiengesellschaft) also offer limited liability. The specific rules and requirements for establishing and operating a haftungsbeschränkt company are governed by German corporate law. This protection is not absolute; in cases of fraud or gross negligence, owners or directors might still be held personally liable.