Company Registration in Norway

To register a company in Norway, applicants generally need the Articles of Association, Memorandum of Incorporation, shareholder and director details, shareholders' register, auditor declarations (where applicable), partnership information and agreements, appointment of directors, and partners’ signatures, all filed with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises (NRBE). Additional documents may be required depending on the company's legal structure.

Individuals, corporate entities, foreign entrepreneurs, and international investors can apply for business setup in Norway. Companies may be established with a single shareholder or multiple shareholders, and both local and foreign ownership are generally permitted, depending on the chosen business structure.

The main business entities in Norway include the Private Limited Liability Company (AS), the most commonly used structure with limited shareholder liability; the Public Limited Liability Company (ASA), which can offer shares to the public; Partnerships, which may have limited or unlimited liability depending on the arrangement; and a Branch Office (NUF), allowing foreign companies to operate in Norway through a registered branch.

The process for company registration in Norway begins by selecting the appropriate legal structure, such as an AS, KS, or branch, based on business needs. Next, a unique business name must be reserved with the Brønnøysund Register Centre to ensure it is not already in use. After this, formal registration is completed by submitting required documents, including the Articles of Association, to the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises and paying the applicable fees.
Once approved, the company receives an organization number as its official ID. A corporate bank account is then opened using incorporation documents, followed by mandatory registration with the Norwegian Tax Administration for taxation purposes.

The main features of a Norwegian private limited company include a minimum share capital of 30,000 NOK, a minimum of one shareholder, and a board of directors is mandatory, with 50% of board members required to be resident in Norway or an EU/EEA country.

A Norwegian public limited company is generally preferred by large companies. It requires at least NOK 1 million in share capital, a minimum of one shareholder, and a board of directors.