Shareholder (Aktionär)
A person or institution that owns shares in a company.
In short
As of 5 October 2026A shareholder is a person or institution that owns shares in a company. As a shareholder, you are a part-owner but not liable for the company's debts, so you can lose at most what you invested. You may vote at the general meeting and receive any dividend that is approved. With 20 ordinary shares, you have 20 votes there.
As soon as you buy a share, you are a shareholder (German: Aktionär). You are a part-owner, but you are not liable for the company's debts: you cannot lose more than the money you put in.
Shareholders have rights. You may attend the annual general meeting, vote there, and receive a dividend if one is approved.
Example: with 20 ordinary shares of a DAX company you have 20 votes at its general meeting. That is little, but legally you are an owner just like a large fund.
Sources
- Aktiengesetz (AktG), § 1
- Aktiengesetz (AktG), § 118 Hauptversammlung
- Aktiengesetz (AktG), § 134 Stimmrecht
As of 5 October 2026 · Educational content, not investment or tax advice.