Company Formation in Norway

How to open a company in Norway

If you are interested in setting up a company in Norway in 2026, our local specialists are at your service.

Quick Facts
Types of companies	– sole proprietorship, – general partnership, – limited partnership, – private limited liability company, – stock corporation, – European stock corporation
Minimum share capital for LTD company	NOK 30,000 (approx. EUR 2,600), paid in full
Minimum number of shareholders for a limited company	1
Do you supply a registered address/virtual office?	Yes
Local director required	Yes – the general manager (if any) and at least half of the board must reside in Norway, another EEA state, the UK or Switzerland
Company secretary	Recommended
Time frame for the incorporation	2 to 3 weeks. Documents issuance in approx. 10 days
Nominee director availability	Yes, we offer nominee director services
Government registration fees	NOK 6,825 (approx. EUR 580) for a private limited company registered electronically
Full foreign-ownership allowed	Yes
Corporate tax	22% on business profits
Audited financial statements	Required unless revenue is below NOK 7 million, the balance sheet total below NOK 27 million and there are no more than 10 full-time employees (AS may then opt out)
Access to double tax treaties	Yes, around 90 treaties
Any tax incentives (if applicable)	No reduced corporate rate; SkatteFUNN R&D tax credit (19% of eligible costs) and a tonnage tax regime for shipping
Our services	– trading name reservation, – Trade Register incorporation, – statutory documents preparation, – tax and VAT registration, – company seal

What are the main legal forms available for registration in Norway?

Here are the business entities you can choose from when starting a business in Norway:

the sole proprietorship;
the partnership, which can be general or limited;
the private limited liability company, which is the most popular option among local and foreign investors;
the public company;
the branch office and subsidiary, if you are a corporate shareholder.

What are the main characteristics of a private limited company in Norway?

This business form is of high importance to small and medium-sized companies operating on the Norwegian market, but it is also the main type of legal entity that is employed when operating through a subsidiary in Norway. When setting up this business form, it is necessary to appoint at least one director (board member); the general manager, if any, and at least half of the board members must reside in Norway. The aforementioned director can also be resident in one of the member states of the European Economic Area.

Here is also an infographic on how to open a company in this country:

What are the steps to open a company in Norway?

Here is a breakdown of the company registration steps in Norway:

business name approval;
securing a registered address;
obtaining a National Identification Number if you are a foreign investor;
bank account opening and depositing the share capital;
company formation documents drafting and filing;
Registration Certificate collection;
tax registration;
licensing, in accordance with the type of activities carried out.

What are the documents required to incorporate a company in Norway?

Here is what you need to prepare to register a business in Norway in 2026:

the Memorandum and Articles of Association;
the bank statement indicating the payment of the share capital;
proof of the registered address;
the National ID;
the application form.

What are the main requirements to know about starting a company in Norway?

Here are the main aspects to pay attention to, according to our specialists:

a business must have at least one shareholder, who can be a natural person or corporation, with full foreign ownership also being allowed;
the company must have at least one director, who is a Norwegian or EEA resident;
the company must also appoint an external auditor (exemptions apply to small businesses with revenues below NOK 7 million, a balance sheet total below NOK 27 million and no more than 10 full-time employees);
the enterprise must have a Norwegian legal address;
a company secretary is also recommended, even if it is not mandatory.

With respect to the director requirements, a company can also appoint more than one director, in which case, half of them must be EEA or Norwegian residents.

Here’s also a video on our services:

What are the company formation services you offer?

Here is a list of our services:

virtual office supply, to ensure compliance with the registered address requirement;
company documents drafting and filing solutions, based on a power of attorney;
bank account opening services;
tax and VAT registration support;
licensing assistance.

Apart from these, you can also rely on us for accounting, corporate secretarial, nominee director, and annual compliance services.

How much does it cost to register a company in Norway in 2026?

The government fee for registering a company in Norway is 2026 is:

NOK 6,825 for online incorporation;
NOK 7,912 for postal registration.

Please note that these costs do not include our fees, which will be communicated by our specialists, as they are calculated based on the services requested.

How long does it take to set up a company in Norway in 2026?

As a general rule, the procedure of company registration in Norway takes between 5 and 7 weeks, depending on the business form chosen for registration. The lengthy procedure is because the company has to establish a corporate bank account, a process that can take approximately 4 weeks.

For complete assistance during the company incorporation procedure in the country, please feel free to contact our team of company registration experts in Norway.

Company Registration in Norway

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