--- title: Shareholder description: What is a shareholder? ✓ What are the duties of a shareholder? ✓ What are the rights of a shareholder? ✓ ⇒ Read now! image: https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Shareholder%20US.jpg --- [![StocksGuideFianl](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/StocksGuideFianl.svg "StocksGuideFianl")](https://stocksguide.com/en) - [Portfolios](https://stocksguide.com/en/portfolios) - [Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Charts](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Alerts](https://stocksguide.com/en/stock-metric-alerts) - Tools - Discover stocks - [Stock Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Indices](https://stocksguide.com/en/indices) - [Sectors](https://stocksguide.com/en/sectors) - [Dividend-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy/topscorer) - [Growth-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/topscorer) - [Levermann-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy/topscorer) - Analyze stocks - [Charting](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Dividend Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-calendar) - [Earnings Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/earnings-calendar) - [Dividends-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy) - [Growth-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/strategy) - [Levermann-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy) - Monitor stocks - [Dashboard](https://stocksguide.com/en) - [HGI Watchlist](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-growth-investing-watchlist) - [Aristocrats](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividend-aristocrats) - [Notifications](https://stocksguide.com/en/users/edit#notifications) - [Hig-Tech-Wikifolio](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-tech-stock-picking-wikifolio) - [Elite Dividend Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/continuity-toplists/listen) - [Blog](https://blog.stocksguide.com) - [Portfolios](https://stocksguide.com/en/portfolios) - [Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Charts](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Alerts](https://stocksguide.com/en/stock-metric-alerts) - Tools - Discover stocks - [Stock Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Indices](https://stocksguide.com/en/indices) - [Sectors](https://stocksguide.com/en/sectors) - [Dividend-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy/topscorer) - [Growth-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/topscorer) - [Levermann-Topscorer](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy/topscorer) - Analyze stocks - [Charting](https://stocksguide.com/en/charts) - [Dividend Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-calendar) - [Earnings Calender](https://stocksguide.com/en/earnings-calendar) - [Dividends-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-strategy) - [Growth-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/strategy) - [Levermann-Strategy](https://stocksguide.com/en/levermann-strategy) - Monitor stocks - [Dashboard](https://stocksguide.com/en) - [HGI Watchlist](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-growth-investing-watchlist) - [Aristocrats](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividend-aristocrats) - [Notifications](https://stocksguide.com/en/users/edit#notifications) - [Hig-Tech-Wikifolio](https://stocksguide.com/en/high-growth-investing/high-tech-stock-picking-wikifolio) - [Elite Dividend Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/continuity-toplists/listen) - [Blog](https://blog.stocksguide.com) Search Search - [Contact Us](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new) - [Contact Us](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new) Search Search ![Shareholder](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Shareholder%20US.jpg) May 08, 2023 | [Knowledge](https://blog.stocksguide.com/topic/knowledge) # Shareholder Shareholders are holders of shares in a stock corporation (AG), limited partnership (KGaA) or Societas Europaea (SE). In this blog post, we explain everything you need to know about your rights and obligations as a shareholder. [Lukas Langer](https://blog.stocksguide.com/author/lukas-langer) Share - [mailto:?&subject=Shareholder&body=Shareholder%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.stocksguide.com%2Fknowledge%2Fshareholder)](mailto:?&subject=Shareholder&body=Shareholder%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.stocksguide.com%2Fknowledge%2Fshareholder)) - - - Table of contents 1. [What is a shareholder?](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/shareholder#What-is-a-shareholder) 2. [What are the obligations of a shareholder?](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/shareholder#What-are-the-rights-of-a-shareholder) 3. [What are the rights of a shareholder?](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/shareholder#What-are-the-rights-of-a-shareholder) ## **What is a shareholder?** Shareholders are holders of shares in a stock corporation (AG), limited partnership (KGaA) or Societas Europaea (SE). As a rule, they have voting rights and a say in a company's Annual General Meeting. Individuals or investment companies can vote on resolutions. This can sometimes steer the long-term strategy and day-to-day business of a company in certain directions. In principle, however, the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) regulates all rights and obligations of shareholders on the basis of the absolute principle of equality. ## **What are the obligations of a shareholder?** Shareholders enter into various obligations when they purchase shares. Shareholders are obliged to pay the public limited company an amount that does not exceed the nominal value of the shares in accordance with the articles of association or a higher issue price. In addition, they may be obliged to make contributions in kind in accordance with the company's articles of association. However, a shareholder is only liable for the company's debts if he receives his contribution back. One of the most important duties of shareholders is the duty of loyalty. Shareholders must consider the interests of the company and may not enrich themselves at its expense. Further obligations may arise from the articles of association of the AG. For example, a holding period may be stipulated during which the shares may not be sold. ## **What are the rights of a shareholder?** As a shareholder, every shareholder is entitled to a share of the profits corresponding to their shareholding, i.e. a dividend. If the public limited company is dissolved, the shareholder is entitled to the liquidation proceeds corresponding to his shareholding. In addition, the shareholder has a right to information and, above all, a right to vote at the general meeting of the public limited company. Furthermore, they have the right to challenge resolutions of the Annual General Meeting and, under certain circumstances, certain minority rights, with the help of which, for example, a certain number of shareholders can force an Extraordinary General Meeting. In general, shareholders have a so-called subscription right when new shares or bonds are issued. [Knowledge](https://blog.stocksguide.com/tag/Knowledge) ![Lukas Langer](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lukas.png?width=70&name=Lukas.png) ### Written By: Lukas Langer Lukas Langer has a master's degree in industrial engineering. During his studies, he already gained practical experience in a DAX company and in management consulting. As an enthusiastic private investor, his goal is to help investors make better investment decisions with StocksGuide. ## You May Also Like ### [![Shareholder](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Salesforce%20%20Aktienanalyse%20US.jpg) *Jun 11, 2025 | HGI* Salesforce stock: Megatrends intact and 28 percent upside potential](https://blog.stocksguide.com/salesforce-stock-analysis) ### [![Shareholder](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/BlackRock%20%20Aktienanalyse%20US.jpg) *Jun 18, 2025 | Dividends* BlackRock stock: A long-term performer on the stock market?](https://blog.stocksguide.com/blackrock-stock-a-long-term-performer-on-the-stock-market) ### [![Shareholder](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/Outstanding%20Shares.jpg) *Jun 01, 2023 | Knowledge* Number of outstanding shares (number of shares) simply explained](https://blog.stocksguide.com/knowledge/number-of-outstanding-shares-number-of-shares-simply-explained) [View more blog posts](https://www.example.com) [![StocksGuideFianl](https://blog.stocksguide.com/hubfs/StocksGuideFianl.svg "StocksGuideFianl")](https://stocksguide.com/en) Binzallee 30, Zürich 8055 © 2024 aktien.guide AG - StocksGuide - [Features](https://stocksguide.com/en/product) - [Plans](https://stocksguide.com/en/premium) - Company - [About](https://stocksguide.com/en/about-us) - [Contact us](https://stocksguide.com/en/contacts/new) - [Privacy Policy](https://stocksguide.com/en/privacy-policy) - [Imprint](https://stocksguide.com/en/imprint) - Discover Stocks - [Blog](https://blog.stocksguide.com) - [Earnings Calendar](https://stocksguide.com/en/earnings-calendar) - [Dividend Calendar](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividends-calendar) - [Stock Screener](https://stocksguide.com/en/screener) - [Elite Dividend Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/continuity-toplists/listen) - [Dividend Aristocrats](https://stocksguide.com/en/dividend-aristocrats) - [Stocks](https://stocksguide.com/en/stocks) - [Glossary](https://lp.stocksguide.com/glossary) **Disclaimer** aktien.guide AG assumes no liability for the information presented, its accuracy and completeness. 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