wirtschaftlicher Berechtigter

A wirtschaftlicher Berechtigter – also referred to as 'beneficial owner' in the Money Laundering Act (GwG) – is the natural person who ultimately holds ownership, voting rights, or control over more than 25% of a company, foundation, or trust. This person is central to the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing, as the actual owner can be easily obscured through nested shareholdings, trust agreements, or holding structures. Since the 2022 amendment of the GwG, there is no longer a notification fiction between the commercial register and the transparency register: every company must actively and promptly register its wirtschaftlich Berechtigten in the transparency register. Failure to report or incorrect information can result in significant fines and reputational damage. Therefore, for compliance officers, notaries, tax advisors, and founders, regular review of shareholder structures, voting agreements, and indirect control relationships is essential. Key terms like 'economic owner', 'transparency register obligation', '25-percent threshold', or 'GwG notification' are highly searched by search engines, especially since the reform. Correctly identifying and reporting the wirtschaftlicher Berechtigter minimizes money laundering risks, fulfills due diligence obligations, and simultaneously builds trust with banks, investors, and business partners.