A high rate of gift tax in the Netherlands discourages gifts to a Stichting by Dutch residents. But no tax charge is incurred by foreign donors. Liechtenstein has its Anstalt and Stiftung. There is a small annual tax, but no tax on distributions to beneficiaries. There are virtually no treaties to which Liechtenstein is a party and accordingly the Dutch Stichting will often be more advantageous.
Foundations are also available in Panama and in Austria.
The Austrian Privatstiftung requires two out of three board members of Austrian nationality and a minimum capital of one million Austrian schillings. A much reduced gift tax is charged, so long as the Privatstiftung lasts for at least 10 years. The private foundation may also be used to hold a Netherlands Antilles parent of a Netherlands holdings company. France has been trying to introduce La Fiducie for nearly six years. Civil lawyers have tried to understand the trust by looking for a similar institution - e.g. the foundation, the fiduciary arrangement, the fidei commissum, the contract.