START A COMPANY / EUROPE
How to register a company in Norway
Norwegian companies are registered online through Altinn with the Brønnøysund Register Centre. An AS needs NOK 30,000 capital and a NOK 6,825 online fee. Sole proprietors (ENK) register with a lower fee.
- REGISTRY
- Brønnøysundregistrene (Brønnøysund Register Centre), filed through Altinn
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- NOK 0 (≈ £1)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Foreigners can own 100% of an AS with no visa needed. Filing in Altinn needs a Norwegian D-number and digital ID (BankID), or a Norwegian representative. The CEO plus at least half the board, including the chair, must live in the EEA (or an exemption is granted).
SOLE TRADER
ENK: Enkeltpersonforetak (sole proprietorship)
Freelancers and small traders wanting the simplest start with no capital.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 owner
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1-5 days
Steps
Log in to Altinn with BankID and fill in the Coordinated Register Notification (Samordnet registermelding).
Choose the enterprise type ENK and the industry code (NACE).
Register for VAT (MVA) if turnover exceeds NOK 50,000 in 12 months.
Register as an employer if you hire staff.
Open a business bank account.
Set up bookkeeping; the Bookkeeping Act applies.
Documents
- Norwegian ID number or D-number
- BankID or approved eID
- Business description and address
- Industry code
Official fees
Optional Business Register entry about NOK 2,185 electronic (unverified); entry in the Central Coordinating Register alone is generally free.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | NOK 0≈ £1 | DIY: coordinated registration via Altinn; business register entry NOK 2,185 if wanted |
| With an accountant or agent | NOK 4,000≈ £320 | Accountant sets up VAT, bookkeeping and registrations, about |
| Full service | NOK 10,000≈ £790 | Accountant with first-year bookkeeping and tax planning, about |
Every year
- Annual tax return including business income
- VAT returns every two months
- Preliminary tax payments
- Bookkeeping and annual accounts
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: sole-proprietor fee.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
AS: Aksjeselskap (private limited company)
Most start-ups and companies wanting limited liability and investor-ready structure.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder and 1 board member (and a CEO if the board is smaller than 3)
- Minimum capital
- NOK 30,000, fully paid in
- Time
- 1-2 weeks
Steps
Choose a company name and check availability with Brønnøysundregistrene.
Draft the articles of association and the memorandum of association (stiftelsesdokument); sign electronically.
Open a bank account and pay in NOK 30,000; get the bank's capital confirmation.
Appoint the board and, if needed, a CEO and auditor opt-out as allowed.
File the Coordinated Register Notification in Altinn and pay the NOK 6,825 fee.
Receive the organisation number; register for VAT and as employer if relevant.
Open the operating bank account.
Documents
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Bank confirmation of share capital
- D-number or ID numbers of founders and board
- BankID or a Norwegian filing representative
- Board minutes
Official fees
Brønnøysund fee NOK 6,825 electronic (NOK 7,912 on paper) for 2026; share capital NOK 30,000. No notary needed.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | NOK 6,825≈ £540 | DIY: Brønnøysund online registration fee, excluding NOK 30,000 capital |
| With an accountant or agent | NOK 12,000≈ £950 | With an accountant or agent preparing documents, about |
| Full service | NOK 25,000≈ £2,000 | Law firm, registered address and bank help, about |
Every year
- Annual accounts filed with Regnskapsregisteret within 7 months of year end
- Corporate tax return (22%)
- VAT returns every two months
- Shareholder register and annual shareholder tax reporting
- Keep the board and general meeting records
Good to know. Fee figures from Brønnøysund and secondary sources for 2026; one secondary source cited NOK 6,797. Unverified exact fee.
PARTNERSHIP
ANS: Ansvarlig selskap (general partnership)
Two or more owners running a business together who accept joint personal liability.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 2 partners
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1-2 weeks
Steps
Agree a partnership agreement (selskapsavtale).
File the Coordinated Register Notification in Altinn.
Pay the Business Register fee.
Register for VAT and as employer where needed.
Open a bank account.
Set up bookkeeping.
Documents
- Partnership agreement
- Partners' ID numbers and BankID
- Industry code and address
Official fees
Business Register fee about NOK 2,185 electronic (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | NOK 2,185≈ £170 | DIY: Business Register fee, about |
| With an accountant or agent | NOK 6,000≈ £480 | With an accountant for set-up and bookkeeping, about |
| Full service | NOK 12,000≈ £950 | Lawyer drafts agreement and handles registration, about |
Every year
- Partnership tax return with profit allocation
- Partners' personal returns
- VAT returns
- Annual accounts
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: fee.
After you register
- Register for VAT (MVA) in the Register of Business Enterprises if turnover will exceed NOK 50,000 in 12 months.
- Register as an employer with the Tax Administration before paying salaries; monthly a-melding reports.
- Open a business bank account with the organisation number.
- Report beneficial owners to the Register of Beneficial Owners.
- Check industry licences with the relevant authority.
- Arrange occupational pension and workplace injury insurance for employees.
Sources
Checked against:
- brreg.no/en/how-can-we-help-you/fees-for-registration/explanation-of-our-fees/
- commenda.io/llc-registration/norway
- info.altinn.no/en/start-and-run-business/planning-starting/registration-of-the-enterprise/starting-and-registering-a-sole-proprietorship/
- globaladvisoryexperts.com/how-to-start-a-business-in-norway/
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Europe
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.