EasyBiz Team

A power of attorney and its requirements in Luxembourg

To begin with, let's define a power of attorney.

A power of attorney is a document by which one person (the principal) grants another (the agent) the authority to represent them in carrying out one or more legal acts on their behalf. It may be general or limited, written as a private or notarised document depending on the circumstances. It is used in civil, commercial, or administrative contexts.

A power of attorney can be general (broad authority) or specific (authority limited to certain acts). However, a general mandate is not always accepted, particularly by banks, notaries, or government agencies, which may require a specific and detailed power of attorney depending on the intended act. It is therefore essential to draft the power of attorney precisely, taking into account the context of its use.

For a power of attorney to be valid in Luxembourg, certain requirements must be met:

Legal capacity of the parties

The principal must be of legal age and of sound mind at the time of granting the power of attorney and the person receiving the power of attorney must have sufficient capacity to exercise the functions assigned to him.

Form

A power of attorney is normally made in writing, but it does not need to be in writing to be valid unless the act to be performed itself requires a specific form. However, a written power of attorney is strongly recommended for reasons of evidence and legal certainty. 

Content

The POA must include at least the following elements to be valid and clear:

A <a href="https://www.clearstream.com/resource/blob/3585518/0b08b7c5efcaaee31aa55950972841de/cfcl-7424-data.pdf">template available on Clearstream's website</a> provides an example of a power of attorney and how it incorporates the minimum elements mentioned here.

Authentication

Although it is not always necessary to authenticate a power of attorney before a notary, this is necessary in situations involving formality, solemn acts, transfer of assets or significant legal implications.

Additionally, it is important to note that the principal has the right to revoke the POA at any time unless there is a clause to the contrary or the power of attorney stipulates that the POA is irrevocable, which must be justified by a valid legal interest.

NOTE:

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Different types of powers of attorney

As mentioned above, there are different types of powers of attorney, we have seen that these can be general or specific, however these can be classified in more detail. In general, they are classified according to the extent of the powers granted to the agent and the purpose of the power of attorney. The following are the main types of powers of attorney.

General power of attorney

The general power of attorney gives the agent broad authority to act on behalf of the principal in a variety of legal, personal, administrative or financial matters. Generally, unless the document is drafted to be durable, a general power of attorney loses power if the principal becomes incapacitated or dies. In addition, the principal of a power of attorney may revoke the document at any time, as long as he or she is deemed mentally competent.

It is, however, important to bear in mind that this type of power of attorney may be rejected by certain recipients such as a bank or a notary if the power of attorney is too broad or vague.

Specific power of attorney

This type of power of attorney gives the agent the authority to perform only specific tasks and is usually designed to expire after the agent has performed the designated tasks. Specific powers of attorney examples may include powers of attorney for the sale of real estate, the signing of a contract or representation in a particular lawsuit.

Corporate power of attorney

This type of power of attorney is granted by a legal entity to a natural or legal person for the purpose of acting on its behalf in matters relating to business management. Corporate proxies are usually authorized within the limits defined by the company's articles of association and resolutions of the governing bodies. This power of attorney must clearly detail the powers granted, especially in cases of strategic operations, such as mergers or sale of assets.<br>

At this point, it is important to have in mind that any power of attorney used in the context of Luxembourg commercial companies must comply with the requirements and formalities established by the law of August 10, 1915, which regulates the creation, operation, representation and management of commercial companies in Luxembourg.

Judicial power of attorney

This power of attorney grants powers to an attorney to act on behalf of the principal in a specific court case, it can be executed by notarial deed or private deed with legalization. It may be necessary to litigate in civil, commercial, criminal or administrative courts as well as in alternative procedures such as mediation or arbitration. This type of procuration is regulated by the Luxembourg Code of Civil Procedure, in particular the articles relating to the judicial mandate and representation before the courts. 

Future protection mandate

A future protection mandate is a preventive instrument that allows a person to appoint an agent to act on his or her behalf if he or she loses the capacity to make decisions in the future. This type of power of attorney is especially useful in situations where the principal becomes mentally incompetent or physically unable to manage his or her personal care, property or finances, such as in the event of serious illness or accident.

This type of power of attorney is strictly regulated by Luxembourg law and must ensure the protection of the principal's assets and personal rights, it must also be authenticated before a notary and may be supervised by the judicial authorities to prevent abuse.

Irrevocable power of attorney

The power of attorney for international use is designed to be valid outside Luxembourg and must be drafted with great care in order to be adapted to the legal requirements of all the countries involved as the conditions of validity strictly depend on the laws of those countries. This type of POA requires notarial authentication and depending on the country or countries where it is used it may also require consular legalization or an apostille if the country is part of the Hague Convention signatory countries. 

This type of power of attorney is commonly used in international transactions, management of assets or bank accounts abroad or to resolve cross-border inheritance issues. 

International power of attorney

The power of attorney for international use is designed to be valid outside Luxembourg and must be drafted with great care in order to comply with the legal requirements of all countries involved. This type of POA requires notarization and depending on the country or countries where it is used may also require an apostille or consular legalization. It is commonly used in international transactions, management of assets or bank accounts abroad or to resolve cross-border inheritance issues.

Benefits of a power of attorney for a company

Powers of attorney have a lot of advantages, let's review some of the most important ones in a business context.

Process to set up a power of attorney

In order to do it properly and to ensure that the final document is valid and effective, it is important to fully understand the procedure for creating a power of attorney. Let's take a look at the step-by-step procedure:

The first step is to identify which is the most appropriate type of power of attorney for the situation to be faced, considering the different types of powers of attorney mentioned above.

💪 Determine the type of power of attorney

Being an agent implies certain responsibilities that not everyone is willing or able to assume. Therefore, it is important to create a list of possible agents and carefully choose the most suitable one after talking to him and determining whether he is really capable and willing to do the job.

🤔 Determine who will be the attorney-in-fact

The wording of the power of attorney must be clear, detailed and in accordance with Luxembourg legal regulations. The document should include the complete identification of the principal and the agent, it should specify the actions the agent is authorized to perform, the limits of those powers and the duration of the mandate.&nbsp;Starting from scratch can be a bit complicated, but it is not necessary to proceed in this way, it is possible to find on the internet different sites that offer models of powers of attorney. In Contractbook, for example, you can find a general&nbsp;<a href="https://contractbook.com/templates/general-power-of-attorney">power of attorney template</a>&nbsp;that must then be modified and customized according to the case. However, if the power of attorney is related to sensitive or complex matters, it is highly recommended to rely on the services of a specialized lawyer.

✍ Drafting the power of attorney clearly and precisely

If the power of attorney is private and does not require notarization, the principal must sign the document to make it valid. In these cases it is highly recommended that the signatures be made in the presence of witnesses to avoid future disputes. In some cases the agent may also sign to acknowledge his acceptance of the mandate.If the powers granted in the power of attorney are of an important nature or are subject to legal formalities, it is essential to authenticate the power of attorney before a notary. Even if it is not mandatory, notarization may be useful to ensure that the power of attorney is recognized, as this authentication adds formality and legal protection to the procedure.

📝 Sign the power of attorney

Once the power of attorney has been drafted, signed and eventually authenticated, it should be delivered to the agent, keeping one or more certified copies as a backup. It is worth remembering that, like any important document, the power of attorney should be kept in a safe place.

🤝 Handing over the power of attorney to the attorney-in-fact

A notarized power of attorney is required in Luxembourg for acts that demand higher formalities or legal solemnity. Examples include the sale, purchase, or transfer of real estate, as well as the execution of donations or the modification of marital property regimes. Additionally, if the power of attorney is intended for use abroad, notarization is often necessary to ensure its authenticity and recognition in other jurisdictions. Notarization provides legal certainty and is mandatory in specific cases outlined in Luxembourgish law.

A power of attorney can be revoked at any time by the principal, unless it is expressly made irrevocable under certain legal conditions. Revocation typically requires the principal to notify the mandatary (attorney-in-fact) in writing and, if applicable, any third parties involved. If the power is notarized, the revocation may also need to be formalized before a notary to maintain legal clarity.

Yes, a power of attorney issued in Luxembourg can be used internationally if it is properly authenticated. For countries under the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is sufficient. For others, consular legalization and, occasionally, translations may be required.

Learn about types, creation, revocation, and requirements for a power of attorney.

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Une procuration et ses exigences au Luxembourg

Pour commencer, définissons ce qu'est une procuration.

Une procuration est un acte par lequel une personne (le mandant) donne à une autre (le mandataire) le pouvoir de la représenter pour accomplir un ou plusieurs actes juridiques en son nom. Elle peut être générale ou limitée, écrite sous seing privé ou authentique selon les cas. Elle est utilisée dans des contextes civils, commerciaux ou administratifs.

Une procuration peut être générale (pouvoir étendu) ou spécifique (pouvoir limité à certains actes). Toutefois, un mandat général n’est pas toujours accepté, notamment par les banques, les notaires ou les organismes gouvernementaux, qui peuvent exiger une procuration spécifique et détaillée selon l’acte visé. Il est donc essentiel de rédiger la procuration avec précision, en tenant compte du contexte d’utilisation.

Pour qu'une procuration soit valable au Luxembourg, certaines conditions doivent être remplies :

Capacité juridique des parties :

Le mandant doit être majeur et sain d'esprit au moment où il donne la procuration et la personne qui reçoit la procuration doit avoir une capacité suffisante pour exercer les fonctions qui lui sont attribuées.

Forme :

Les procurations sont normalement écrites, mais il n'est pas nécessaire qu'elles le soient pour être valables, à moins que l'acte à accomplir n'exige lui-même une forme particulière. Toutefois, une autorisation écrite est fortement recommandée pour des raisons de preuve et de sécurité juridique.

Contenu :

La procuration doit comporter au moins les éléments suivants pour être valable et claire :

Un <a href="https://www.clearstream.com/resource/blob/3585518/0b08b7c5efcaaee31aa55950972841de/cfcl-7424-data.pdf">modèle disponible sur le site Internet de Clearstream</a> donne un exemple de procuration et de la manière dont elle intègre les éléments minimaux mentionnés ici.

Authentification :

Bien qu'il ne soit pas toujours nécessaire d'authentifier une procuration devant un notaire, cela s'impose dans les situations impliquant des formalités, des actes solennels, le transfert de biens ou des implications juridiques importantes.

En outre, il est important de noter que le mandant a le droit de révoquer la procuration à tout moment, sauf clause contraire ou si la procuration stipule qu'elle est irrévocable, ce qui doit être justifié par un intérêt juridique valable.

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Différents types de procurations

Comme mentionné ci-dessus, il existe différents types de procurations, nous avons vu que celles-ci peuvent être générales ou spécifiques, cependant celles-ci peuvent être classées de manière plus détaillée. En général, elles sont classées en fonction de l'étendue des pouvoirs accordés au mandataire et de l'objet de la procuration. Voici les principaux types de procurations.

Procuration générale

La procuration générale confère au mandataire des pouvoirs étendus pour agir au nom du mandant dans diverses affaires juridiques, personnelles, administratives ou financières. En général, à moins que le document ne soit rédigé pour être durable, une procuration générale perd son pouvoir si le mandant devient inapte ou décède. De plus, le mandant d'une procuration peut révoquer le document à tout moment, tant qu'il est jugé mentalement compétent.

Il est toutefois important de n’oublier pas que ce type de procuration peut être rejeté par certains destinataires, tels qu'une banque ou un notaire si la procuration est trop large ou trop vague.

Procuration spécifique

Ce type de procuration donne au mandataire le pouvoir de n'effectuer que des tâches spécifiques et est généralement conçu pour expirer après que le mandataire a effectué les tâches désignées. Les exemples de procurations spécifiques peuvent inclure des procurations pour la vente de biens immobiliers, la signature d'un contrat ou la représentation dans un procès particulier.

Procuration d'entreprise

Ce type de procuration est accordé par une entité juridique à une personne physique ou morale dans le but d'agir en son nom pour des questions relatives à la gestion de l'entreprise. Les procurations d'entreprise sont généralement autorisées dans les limites définies par les statuts de la société et les résolutions des organes directeurs. Cette procuration doit clairement détailler les pouvoirs accordés, notamment en cas d'opérations stratégiques, telles que la fusion ou la vente d'actifs.

A ce stade, il est important de rappeler que toute procuration utilisée dans le cadre des sociétés commerciales luxembourgeoises doit respecter les exigences et formalités prévues par la loi du 10 août 1915 qui réglemente la création, le fonctionnement, la représentation et la gestion des sociétés commerciales au Luxembourg.

Procuration judiciaire

Cette procuration permet à un avocat d'agir au nom du mandant dans une affaire judiciaire spécifique. Elle peut être exécutée par acte notarié ou par acte sous seing privé avec homologation. Elle peut être nécessaire pour les litiges devant les juridictions civiles, commerciales, pénales ou administratives, ainsi que pour les procédures alternatives telles que la médiation ou l'arbitrage. Ce type de procuration est régi par le code de procédure civile luxembourgeois, en particulier les articles relatifs au mandat judiciaire et à la représentation en justice.

Mandat de protection future

Un mandat de protection future est un instrument préventif qui permet à une personne de désigner un mandataire qui agira en son nom si elle perd la capacité de prendre des décisions à l'avenir. Ce type de procuration est particulièrement utile dans les situations où le mandant devient mentalement incompétent ou physiquement incapable de gérer ses soins personnels, ses biens ou ses finances, par exemple en cas de maladie grave ou d'accident.

Ce type de procuration est strictement réglementé par la loi luxembourgeoise et doit assurer la protection du patrimoine et des droits personnels du mandant, elle doit également être authentifiée devant un notaire et peut être supervisée par les autorités judiciaires pour éviter les abus.

Procuration irrévocable

Une procuration irrévocable fait référence à un mandat spécial qui ne peut être complètement révoqué unilatéralement. Toutefois, dans la pratique, une procuration ne peut jamais être totalement irrévocable, à moins qu'il n'existe un intérêt légitime dans le chef du mandataire, mais elle peut toujours être révoquée pour des raisons légitimes. Ce type de procuration est souvent utilisé dans des situations où l'intérêt du mandataire doit être protégé, par exemple dans le cadre de montages financiers complexes, de garanties bancaires ou de transactions commerciales de haut niveau.

Procuration internationale

La procuration à usage international est conçue pour être valable en dehors du Luxembourg et doit être rédigée avec le plus grand soin afin de respecter les exigences légales de tous les pays concernés, étant donné que les conditions de validité dépendent strictement des lois de ces pays. Ce type de procuration nécessite une authentification notariale et, selon le ou les pays où elle est utilisée, elle peut également nécessiter une légalisation consulaire ou une apostille si le pays est signataire de la Convention de La Haye. 

Ce type de procuration est couramment utilisé pour les transactions internationales, la gestion d'actifs ou de comptes bancaires à l'étranger ou pour régler des questions de succession transfrontalière.

Avantages d'une procuration pour une entreprise

Les procurations présentent de nombreux avantages, passons en revue certains des plus importants dans le contexte d'une entreprise.

Processus d'établissement d'une procuration

Pour bien faire les choses et s'assurer que le document final est valide et efficace, il est important de bien comprendre la procédure de création d'une procuration. Jetons un coup d'œil à la procédure étape par étape :

Découvrez les types, la création, la révocation et les exigences d'une procuration.

Procuration au Luxembourg

Power of attorney in Luxembourg

Luxembourg trusts and their legal basis

A trust is a legal concept originating in common law and is widely used in estate planning, investment management and asset protection. It is a relationship in which a person, called settlor, transfers certain property or assets to another person or entity, called trustee, to manage them for the benefit of one or more persons or entities known as beneficiaries. The trustee acquires legal ownership of the assets but must manage them according to the terms of the trust deed and in the exclusive interest of the beneficiaries.

Since trusts have their origin in common law and Luxembourg follows the civil law system, trusts do not form part of its national legislation as its own legal institution. However, they are recognized and regulated by the Hague Convention of July 1, 1985 on the Law Applicable to Trusts and its Recognition, which was ratified and implemented by the Law of July 27, 2003 on Trusts and Trust Agreements.

Since this law, trusts created under common law are recognized in Luxembourg as long as they respect the provisions of the convention and do not violate local public policy. In addition, the Law of July 27, 2003 also establishes and regulates fiduciary contracts, a local figure that operates in a similar manner to trusts but within the framework of civil law in which one party transfers assets to another party for management for specific purposes.&nbsp;

Benefits of setting up a trust

Although Luxembourg fiduciary contracts are different from trusts in the technical sense, they offer significant advantages within the framework of Luxembourg civil law. Here are some of their main advantages:

Asset protection

Trust agreements allow the assets transferred to the trustee to be completely separated from the personal assets of the trustee or the trustee. This means that on the one hand the assets do not form part of the trustee's estate in the event of bankruptcy and on the other hand the trust assets are protected against claims of the trustee's personal creditors.

Flexibility in estate and succession planning

A trust makes it possible to structure the management and transfer of assets in an efficient manner and is therefore a very useful tool to ensure that assets are distributed according to the settlor's wishes. This avoids potential disputes between heirs and allows for better estate and succession planning.

Confidentiality

In compliance with European Union directives on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, the country has implemented a fiduciary register which requires the registration of key information on trusts and trustees recognized in Luxembourg.&nbsp;

However, this register is not accessible to the general public, its access is restricted to certain entities such as financial supervisors, tax and judicial authorities, banks and lawyers in the framework of due diligence procedures or any natural or legal person demonstrating a legitimate interest in preventing the use of the financial system for money laundering or terrorist financing purposes.

This ensures a certain degree of confidentiality for those involved while complying with international standards of transparency. In addition, Luxembourg still manages to offer a significant level of privacy, according to the Tax Justice Network's Financial Secrecy Index 2022, the country ranks fifth out of 144 countries thanks to its policies that still offer discretion within a regulated environment.

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Versatility in asset management

A trust can be used for many purposes such as protection against political instabilities, participation in international tax planning structures, large wealth management or even as a vehicle for philanthropic or charitable purposes.

Limited but adaptable duration

Although the trust has a maximum duration of 99 years, it can be adapted to the needs of the trustee by means of a contract stipulating shorter terms or specific conditions for its termination. This makes it a flexible and temporary solution suitable for specific projects or purposes.

Trust features and requirements in Luxembourg

Let's now have a look at the key elements of a trust in Luxembourg and the requirements to establish one. The Luxembourg trust must contain the following essential elements:

is the person who creates the trust, who transfers the assets to the trustee and who establishes the terms and conditions under which the assets will be managed.

is the entity that manages the trust assets and has the legal obligation to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries and to comply with the terms of the trust. The duties and scope of authority of a trustee are limited to what is written in the trust deed and nothing more.

Trust companies in Luxembourg can present any of the following forms:

In addition fiduciary agents with registered office in Luxembourg must be authorized by the minister responsible for the CSSF (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier).

are the persons or entities benefiting from the assets of the trust or the income derived therefrom.

this is the closest functional equivalent to the trust deed of Anglo-Saxon trusts and consists of a contract regulating the fiduciary relationship between the different parties. It defines the beneficiaries, the powers and duties of the trustee and the duration of the trust, among other aspects.

are the assets that the settlor transfers to the trust and that the trustee manages, which may include property, cash, investments, shares, among others.

In addition, certain conditions must be met for the trust agreement to be valid:

Process for setting up a trust in Luxembourg

To conclude, we will now review the process of creating a trust in Luxembourg.

The establishment of a trust involves multiple legal, financial and tax aspects, so it is highly recommended to have the advice of an expert consultant or a team of professionals specialized in the subject.

Consult a professional

The next step is to define the parties involved (the trustor, the trustee and the beneficiaries).

Identify the parties involved

Next, it is necessary to identify which assets or rights will be the object of the trust; these may include investments, real estate, shares or any other asset, as long as they are legally transferable.

Determine the assets to be transferred

The trust must have a defined and legitimate purpose, such as asset management, guaranteeing debts or fulfilling philanthropic or business purposes.

Establish the purpose of the trust

Before formalizing the trust agreement, it is important to gather all necessary documents, including identity documents of the parties involved, deeds or title deeds of the assets to be transferred to the trustee, prior agreements related to the assets, or relevant tax or legal documentation on the assets or the parties. In addition, certifications of compliance with anti-money laundering regulations may also be required.

Gather the necessary documents

The agreement should detail the identity of all parties, an accurate description of the property or assets transferred, the rights, responsibilities and powers of the trustee, the purpose of the trust and the duration of the agreement (up to a maximum of 99 years). It is recommended that the drafting of the contract be done or reviewed by a specialized lawyer.

Drafting the trust agreement

In accordance with the provisions of the law of July 10, 2020 it is necessary to register in the Luxembourg Fiduciary Register certain information relating to trusts. It is necessary to register identity data and certain information about the trustees, the trustees, the beneficiaries and any natural or legal person exercising effective control over the trust.

Register the Fiducie

Finally, for the trust to be effective, the assets must be transferred to the trustee.

Transfer the assets

No, a trust in the Anglo-Saxon sense cannot be created directly under Luxembourg law. Luxembourg follows the civil law system, which does not recognize trusts as an institution of its national legal framework. However, Luxembourg allows the creation of fiducies (fiduciary contracts), which are regulated by the Law of 27 July 2003, and share many similarities with trusts. A fiducie is a contractual arrangement where a fiduciant (transferor) transfers assets to a fiduciary for administration on behalf of beneficiaries or for a specific purpose.&nbsp;

While not identical to trusts, fiducies provide similar benefits, such as asset protection, flexibility in estate planning, and separation of ownership and control. Additionally, Luxembourg recognizes trusts created under foreign laws through the Hague Convention of 1985, ensuring their validity and enforcement within the country.

A trust is a legal arrangement typical of common law jurisdictions, where a settlor transfers assets to a trustee to manage them for the benefit of beneficiaries. A fiducie, on the other hand, is a civil law contract authorized under Luxembourg law. In a fiducie, the fiduciary temporarily holds and manages assets for the fiduciant or beneficiaries, as defined by the written agreement. Unlike trusts, fiducies are strictly contractual, with a maximum duration of 99 years, and fiduciaries are bound by national regulatory standards.

Only qualified professionals can act as fiduciaries in Luxembourg. This includes licensed financial institutions, banks, lawyers, and notaries authorized under local law. They must comply with strict regulatory requirements, including AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing) standards. Non-professionals or unlicensed individuals cannot legally act as fiduciaries in Luxembourg.

This guide covers trust benefits, requirements, and steps to establish one in Luxembourg.

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Les fidéicommis luxembourgeois et leur base juridique

Un fidéicommis est un concept juridique issu du droit commun et largement utilisé dans la planification successorale, la gestion des investissements et la protection des actifs. Il s'agit d'une relation dans laquelle une personne, appelée constituant, transfère certains biens ou actifs à une autre personne ou entité, appelée fiduciaire, pour les gérer au profit d'une ou plusieurs personnes ou entités appelées bénéficiaires. Le fiduciaire acquiert la propriété légale des actifs mais doit les gérer selon les termes de l'acte de fiducie et dans l'intérêt exclusif des bénéficiaires.

Étant donné que les fidéicommis ont leur origine dans le droit commun et que le Luxembourg suit le système du droit civil, les fidéicommis ne font pas partie de sa législation nationale en tant qu'institution juridique propre. Cependant, ils sont reconnus et réglementés par la Convention de La Haye du 1er juillet 1985 relative à la loi applicable au trust et à sa reconnaissance, qui a été ratifiée et mise en œuvre par la loi du 27 juillet 2003 relative au fidéicommis et au contrat de fiducie.

Depuis cette loi, les fidéicommis créés en vertu du droit commun sont reconnus au Luxembourg pour autant qu'ils respectent les dispositions de la convention et ne violent pas l'ordre public local. En outre, la loi du 27 juillet 2003 établit et réglemente également les contrats fiduciaires, une figure locale qui fonctionne de manière similaire aux fidéicommis mais dans le cadre du droit civil, dans laquelle une partie transfère des actifs à une autre partie pour qu'elle les gère à des fins spécifiques.

Avantages de la création d'un fidéicommis

Bien que les contrats fiduciaires luxembourgeois soient différents des fidéicommis au sens technique, ils offrent des avantages significatifs dans le cadre du droit civil luxembourgeois. Voici quelques-uns de leurs principaux avantages :

Protection des actifs

Les contrats fiduciaires permettent de séparer complètement les actifs transférés au fiduciaire du patrimoine personnel du fiduciaire ou du administrateur. Cela signifie que, d'une part, les actifs ne font pas partie du patrimoine du fiduciaire en cas de faillite et que, d'autre part, le patrimoine fiduciaire est protégé contre les réclamations des créanciers personnels du fiduciaire.

Flexibilité dans la planification de la succession et de l'héritage

Un fidéicommis permet de structurer la gestion et le transfert des actifs de manière efficace et constitue donc un outil très utile pour s'assurer que les actifs sont distribués conformément aux souhaits du constituant. Cela permet d'éviter les litiges potentiels entre les héritiers et de mieux planifier la succession et l'héritage.

Confidentialité

Conformément aux directives de l'Union européenne sur la lutte contre le blanchiment d'argent et le financement du terrorisme, le pays a mis en place un registre fiduciaire qui exige l'enregistrement d'informations clés sur les fidéicommis et les fiduciaires reconnus au Luxembourg.&nbsp;

Cependant, ce registre n'est pas accessible au grand public, son accès est limité à certaines entités telles que les autorités de surveillance financière, les autorités fiscales et judiciaires, les banques et les avocats dans le cadre des procédures de diligence raisonnable ou toute personne physique ou morale démontrant un intérêt légitime à prévenir l'utilisation du système financier à des fins de blanchiment d'argent ou de financement du terrorisme.

Cela permet de garantir un certain degré de confidentialité aux personnes concernées tout en respectant les normes internationales de transparence. De plus, le Luxembourg parvient encore à offrir un niveau de confidentialité important, selon le Financial Secrecy Index 2022 du Tax Justice Network, le pays se classe cinquième sur 144 pays grâce à ses politiques qui offrent encore de la discrétion dans un environnement réglementé.

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Polyvalence dans la gestion des actifs

Un fidéicommis peut être utilisé à de nombreuses fins telles que la protection contre les instabilités politiques, la participation à des structures de planification fiscale internationale, la gestion de gros patrimoines ou même comme véhicule à des fins philanthropiques ou caritatives.

Durée limitée mais adaptable

Bien que la fiducie ait une durée maximale de 99 ans, elle peut être adaptée aux besoins du fiduciaire au moyen d'un contrat stipulant des durées plus courtes ou des conditions spécifiques pour sa résiliation. Cela en fait une solution flexible et temporaire adaptée à des projets ou des objectifs spécifiques.

Caractéristiques et exigences du fidéicommis au Luxembourg

Voyons maintenant les éléments clés d'un fidéicommis au Luxembourg et les exigences pour en établir un. Le fidéicommis luxembourgeois doit contenir les éléments essentiels suivants :

c'est la personne qui crée le fidéicommis, qui transfère les actifs au fiduciaire et qui établit les conditions dans lesquelles les actifs seront gérés.

'est l'entité qui gère les actifs de la fiducie et qui a l'obligation légale d'agir dans le meilleur intérêt des bénéficiaires et de se conformer aux termes de la fiducie. Les devoirs et l'étendue de l'autorité d'un fiduciaire sont limités à ce qui est écrit dans l'acte de fiducie et rien de plus.

Les sociétés fiduciaires au Luxembourg peuvent présenter l'une des formes suivantes :

En outre, les agents fiduciaires ayant leur siège au Luxembourg doivent être agréés par le ministre de tutelle de la CSSF (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier).

ce sont les personnes ou entités bénéficiant des actifs du fidéicommis ou des revenus qui en découlent.

c'est l'équivalent fonctionnel le plus proche du fidéicommis des fidéicommis anglo-saxons et consiste en un contrat réglementant la relation fiduciaire entre les différentes parties. Il définit les bénéficiaires, les pouvoirs et les devoirs du fiduciaire et la durée du trust, entre autres aspects.

ce sont les actifs que le constituant transfère au fidéicommis et que le fiduciaire gère, ce qui peut inclure des biens, des liquidités, des investissements, des actions, entre autres.

En outre, certaines conditions doivent être remplies pour que le contrat de fiducie soit valide :

Processus de création d'un fidéicommis au Luxembourg

Pour conclure, nous allons maintenant passer en revue le processus de création d'un fidéicommis au Luxembourg.

Ce guide explique les avantages, exigences et étapes pour créer un trust au Luxembourg.

Comment créer un fidéicommis au Luxembourg en 2025 ?

How to create a trust in Luxembourg in 2025

What are EC Certificates?

EC Certificates are official documents issued by the competent authority of a European Union Member State attesting to the professional experience of a person in commercial, industrial or craft activities. These certificates <b>contain information on the nature and duration of the activities performed</b>, thus allowing the validation of the competencies acquired in a professional context.

EC Certificates are regulated by <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/36/oj?eliuri=eli%3Adir%3A2005%3A36%3Aoj&amp;locale=en">Directive 2005/36/EC</a> on the recognition of professional qualifications in the EU. Although this directive does not explicitly use the term “EC Certificate”, the underlying idea of issuing an official certificate to accredit qualifications based on professional experience is implicit in several of its articles. In particular, Chapter II in Articles 16 to 19 regulates the recognition of the professional experience of workers wishing to establish themselves in another member state to exercise regulated activities, and Annex IV specifies the commercial, craft and industrial activities that can be recognized by professional experience and which require this type of certification.&nbsp;

What is the importance of the EC in Luxembourg in the entrepreneurship field?

In Luxembourg, in order to exercise a commercial or artisanal activity and certain liberal activities, it is necessary to apply for establishment authorization, which in turn requires the accreditation of certain professional qualifications.

When such qualifications derive from professional experience in a European Union country other than Luxembourg, the applicant must submit an EC Certificate attesting to the nature and duration of the activities carried out.

What they are, required professions, application process, and key details.

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