osakeyhtiömallin

The osakeyhtiömalli, or limited liability company model, is a fundamental legal structure for businesses in Finland. It provides a framework where a company's liabilities are separate from those of its owners, the shareholders. This separation is a key feature, meaning shareholders are generally not personally responsible for the company's debts beyond the amount of their investment.

Formation of an osakeyhtiö requires at least one shareholder and a minimum share capital, though the requirement for a specific minimum share capital was removed in 2019, allowing for the establishment of companies with a nominal capital. The company is managed by a board of directors and, in larger companies, often a managing director. The shareholders exercise their rights and influence through the general meeting of shareholders, which is the company's supreme decision-making body.

Osakeyhtiöt are subject to Finnish company law, which dictates rules regarding their establishment, governance, and dissolution. They are required to keep accounting records and are subject to taxation. This legal structure is widely used by businesses of all sizes in Finland, from small startups to large corporations, due to the limited liability it offers to investors and its clear governance framework. The model is designed to encourage investment and entrepreneurship by managing risk.