Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (, abbreviated
GmbH , in Austria also
GesmbH or
Ges.m.b.H.), which is
German for "
company with limited liability", is a type of
legal entity very common in
Germany,
Austria,
Switzerland and
Liechtenstein. The name of the GmbH form emphasizes the fact that the owners (
Gesellschafter, also known as members) of the entity are not personally liable for the company's debts.
GmbHs are considered
legal persons under German and Austrian law. Other variations include
mbH (used when the term
Gesellschaft is part of the company name itself), and
gGmbH (
gemeinnützige GmbH) for
non-profit companies.