Foundations

Flexible, ownerless structures for asset protection & succession

Foundations are ownerless legal entities designed to hold and manage assets according to a founder’s wishes. Originating in Europe over a century ago and widely adopted in civil-law jurisdictions, foundations offer a powerful alternative to trusts, especially where trusts are not well recognized.

A foundation is created by a founder (individual or company), governed by a charter and regulations, and managed by a council/board for purposes that can be private, family, charitable, or commercial (via subsidiaries). NTL Trust provides information about international foundations and can help identify qualified local professionals for their establishment and administration.

What Is the Service? (Foundation Setup & Administration)

Foundation establishment, governance, council appointments and ongoing administration are handled by appropriately qualified local professionals.

Core features we implement

Separate legal personality: The foundation (not the founder) owns the assets.
No shareholders/members: Control is exercised through governance documents and the management board.
Purpose-built rules: Charter & regulations reflect founder’s wishes on distributions, succession, and governance.
Duration: Fixed or perpetual.
Use cases: Family wealth planning, dynastic succession, asset protection, philanthropic giving, control of operating assets via subsidiaries.

Nevis Multiform Foundation (NMF)

“Multiform” identity: Can be constituted, and later changed to function as a trust foundation, company foundation (incl. LLC), partnership foundation, or a standard foundation, preserving legal continuity.
Mobility: Redomicile/transform/merge into or out of Nevis; convert existing Nevis entities into a multiform foundation.
Governance: Management board and (optionally) supervisory/protector roles; by-laws may adopt or reference other proper laws for specific parts.
Tax option: May elect Nevis tax residency (flat rate up to 1% on global income) or remain tax-neutral under local law.
Asset protection: Statutory “firewall” rules, non-recognition of foreign forced-heirship claims, elevated thresholds for foreign judgments.

Panama Private Interest Foundation (PPIF)

Modern civil-law design (Law 25/1995): Separate legal person, foundation council management, optional protector with veto or oversight rights.
Purpose: Not used for direct commercial activity, but may own shares of operating companies.
Transparency model: Charter is filed publicly (founder/council names typically filed); confidentiality obligations apply to service providers.
Tax treatment: Exempt on non-Panama-source income and assets held outside Panama; annual government fees apply.
Administration flexibility: Council/protector may be outside Panama; administration can occur anywhere.

Benefits of Using a Foundation

Separation of ownership & control

Assets are held by the foundation, not the founder supporting long-term stewardship.

Succession clarity

Built-in rules for multigenerational planning; reduced probate exposure across jurisdictions.

Civil/common-law bridge

Particularly valuable for clients in civil-law countries where trusts face recognition or tax characterization issues.

Asset protection

Statutory protections, firewall provisions, and choice-of-law tools help resist hostile claims and forced-heirship rules.

Governance flexibility

Customizable roles (council, protector, supervisory board) and distribution policies.

Portfolio control

Hold operating companies, IP, real estate, financial assets, art, collectibles with centralized oversight.

Jurisdictional agility (Nevis Multiform)

Ability to change form (trust/company/LLC/partnership) as family or regulatory needs evolve.

Who Is the Service For?

International families seeking dynastic succession and predictable inter-generational distributions.
Entrepreneurs & asset-rich founders separating ownership from day-to-day control while retaining strategic influence.
Civil-law clients who prefer a trust alternative that aligns with domestic legal concepts.
Professionals and HNWIs needing robust asset protection and forum resilience.
Clients with Citizenship/Residency by Investment who now want a neutral, globally recognized holding and estate vehicle.
Family offices & wealth managers consolidating diverse assets under one compliant governance framework.

Common Questions About Foundations

Foundation vs. Trust: what’s the difference?
A trust is not a legal person; trustees hold title for beneficiaries. A foundation is a legal person with its own assets and a management board. Foundations can feel more intuitive in civil-law systems and can exist perpetually.
What makes the Nevis Multiform Foundation unique?
Its ability to change legal form (trust/company/LLC/partnership/standard) without dissolution, plus strong asset-protection statutes and broad redomiciliation/continuance options.
Can a foundation run a business?
Not directly (especially in Panama), but it can own companies that conduct commercial activity. This preserves governance benefits while isolating operational risks.
Who controls the foundation if there are no “owners”?
Control is exercised through the charter/regulations, the management board, and (optionally) a protector/supervisory board. The founder can retain certain reserved powers if properly drafted.
Is founder privacy achievable?
Yes, especially in Nevis (founder identities are not public). Panama filings include founder and council names on the public register, but professional confidentiality rules apply.
How are foundations taxed?
Tax depends on jurisdiction and tax residency elections. Nevis can be tax-neutral or elect minimal local tax; Panama exempts non-Panama-source income. Founders/beneficiaries must meet home-country reporting (FATCA/CRS, etc.).
What are typical setup requirements?
KYC/AML due diligence, draft charter and regulations, appointment of council/secretary (and protector if used), and funding (e.g., Panama’s statutory minimum US$10,000 transfer). Foundation charters, regulations and governance documents should be prepared by qualified legal professionals.
How long does it take?
Generally 2–6 weeks depending on jurisdiction, due diligence, and any bespoke governance features.
Can existing structures be migrated in?
Yes. Nevis supports continuance, transformation, conversion, consolidation/merger, and discontinuance allowing trusts, companies, or foreign foundations to become (or leave as) a Multiform Foundation while preserving continuity.

Trust, Compliance & Disclaimer

Services & Regulatory Disclosure

NTL Trust is a brand operated by The Network State Company AG (CitizenX).

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes. Where applicable, NTL Trust may facilitate introductions to independent professional service providers, subject to local law and suitable arrangements.

NTL Trust does not itself provide banking, payment processing, investment management, fiduciary, legal or tax advisory services. Activities requiring specific regulatory authorization are performed by appropriately authorized providers under their own client engagements.

Availability, eligibility, fees, timelines and regulatory requirements vary by jurisdiction. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, tax, financial or investment advice, or guarantees any regulatory or commercial outcome.