The Beneficial Owners Register Act (BORA) forms the legal basis for the Register of Beneficial Owners. The Act took effect on 15 January 2018, and reports can be sent to the Register via the Federal Unternehmensserviceportal. The Register can be inspected as of 2 May 2018.
Since September 1, 2023, natural persons and organizations are been able to inspect the register of beneficial owners if they have a legitimate interest.
Obliged entities may inspect the beneficial owner register for their due diligence duties to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Authorities may inspect the register for certain statutory purposes. A limited public access is also available.
All reportable legal entities must report their beneficial owners via the one-stop-shop Business Service Portal called 'Unternehmensserviceportal' (USP) or can be represented by a legal professionals acting in a professional capacity.
Find out how simple and extended excerptsfrom the register are correctly interpreted, and how they will help you to meet the due diligence obligations for prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.
As from 10 November 2020, the documents required for identification and verification of beneficial owners may be submitted to the register and inspected and used by obligated parties for the purpose of fulfilling the due diligence obligations.
Here you will find an overview of the applicable legal provisions and the information available on other Member States.
The following information is intended to assist software developers in integrating the Register of Beneficial Owners into customer management programs, law firm software products, or other applications.