Law library / PSG / § 3

Austrian foundation law

§ 3  Founder; subsequent endowment

§ 3 PSG — Stifter, Zustiftung

#
(1)The founders of a private foundation may be one or more natural or legal persons. A private foundation established upon death may have only one founder.
(1)Stifter einer Privatstiftung können eine oder mehrere natürliche oder juristische Personen sein. Eine Privatstiftung von Todes wegen kann nur einen Stifter haben.
#
(2)Where a private foundation has several founders, the rights to which the founder is entitled or which the founder has reserved may be exercised only by all founders jointly, unless the foundation deed provides otherwise.
(2)Hat eine Privatstiftung mehrere Stifter, so können die dem Stifter zustehenden oder vorbehaltenen Rechte nur von allen Stiftern gemeinsam ausgeübt werden, es sei denn, die Stiftungsurkunde sieht etwas anderes vor.
#
(3)The founder's rights to shape the private foundation do not pass to legal successors.
(3)Rechte des Stifters, die Privatstiftung zu gestalten, gehen nicht auf die Rechtsnachfolger über.
#
(4)Anyone who dedicates assets to a private foundation after it has come into existence (subsequent endowment) does not thereby acquire the status of a founder.
(4)Wer einer Privatstiftung nach ihrer Entstehung Vermögen widmet (Zustiftung), erlangt dadurch nicht die Stellung eines Stifters.

Cite as: “BCA Unternehmensberatung, English translation of § 3 PSG, bcaun.at/en/law-library”. German text as of 30 October 2026; translation edited by Alexander Baranov.

Unofficial translation, information only. Only the German text is legally binding. This is not legal advice. Austrian law depends on your specific facts — confirm the current position with the competent authority or a qualified adviser before acting.

Putting this into practice

Considering a Privatstiftung for family or business assets?

We design the foundation declaration, the board and the holding structure together with the tax position.

Private foundation service →