Company Formation in Norway

Company Formation in Norway

Company formation in Norway is simple as our legal team prepares and takes care of all the documentation for you to start business in Norway quickly. Our Oslo office provides a wide range of corporate services tailored to fit your needs. We can provide you with a turnkey solution with all necessary business services.

How we can support you in starting business in Norway:

Setting up a new limited liability company, including new shelf companies ready for business

VAT registration, including on-going accounting&payroll and reporting

Registered office address, registered agent and local representative service, banking support

The most time and cost efficient approach to register a company is to purchase a new shelf company, which can be done fully remotely with no travel to Norway needed. The alternative founding process by oneself is a challenge to non-residents due to various requirements (e.g. share capital payment). Hence in most cases, non-residents of Norway opt for a new or aged shelf company to avoid bureaucracy as we have already taken care of all the preparations and requirements. However, we do assist with new incorporations on request. We will help you to choose the best approach according to your objectives. Norwegian company formation pricing starts from 2280 EUR, for more information contact us for a free case evaluation and a detailed price quote »

Company in Norway

We'll get you started in Norway!

We have helped hundreds of businesses to set up in Norway. We offer time and cost efficient remote setup packages with no travel needed. Our pricing for company formation in Norway starts from 2280 euros.

Priced from 2280 euros
Remote setup in 5 to 10 days
New shelf companies available
Aged shelf companies available
VAT and tax registrations support

Limited Liability Company in Norway

The Norwegian private limited company (Aksjeselskaper or AS) is the most common formof business as its shareholders have no personal proprietary liability for the company’s obligations. Our new limited liability shelf companies are registered in the Commercial Registry with an active registration number and no previous activity. All Norwegian shelf companies come with our 100% clean balance sheet guarantee and the full share capital payment of NOK 30.000 registered – hence there is no need to put up the share capital. Alternatively, we also support with new incorporations and branch office establishments for foreign corporate entities. We hold the official authorized accountant certificate to support with all corporate services.

Running a limited company in Norway comes with certain requirements on residency as there are restrictions for the management board members outside of the European Economic Area. We can provide all necessary services and we will work out a solution specific for your project. Further, you can also choose your preferred business name for the company.

The Norwegian company setup can be carried out at our office in Oslo, or remotely with a Power Of Attorney (PoA) issued to us or by scheduling an appointment at one of our offices. We prepare the full package of legal documentation and submit all applications on your behalf – we only require the basic information from your side to fill and submit the documentation. We also support to obtain the necessary registrations (e.g. D-number/local ID code) from the state authority. After the Commercial Registry has processed all changes we forward the full legal documentation to you. It usually takes 5-10 business days for the registry to update their database to show the new shareholder(s), board member(s) and company information.

What are the steps?

Step 1: Get in touch for consultation
Let us know of your target objectives and we propose the best solution for your consideration. Preliminary consultation and detailed price quotes are free of charge.

Step 2: We take care of everything
We collect and prepare all legal documentation and forward for your confirmation and signatures. As an option we offer full remote service, no travel is needed for the company formation in Norway.

Step 3: Start business in Norway
We take care of all applications and set up any corporate services needed. We notify you when the process is finalized and when your company in Norway is ready for business.

Corporate services in Norway

We provide a full range of corporate services in Norway including company formations, VAT and tax registrations, legal and tax advisory, virtual registered office, accounting&payroll, applying for D-numbers, licensing and bank account opening support. Corporate secretarial services on request.

Our virtual office service is a flexible solution for companies who do not need a physical office in Norway. Our legal address in Oslo will be used for registering with the Commercial Registry and as the administrative address for the company to receive postage. The postage sent to your company will be forwarded to you by e-mail (scanned copy) or by regular mail on request. We can also set up individual local telephone and fax numbers as well as a local domain name with web hosting for your company.

Our accounting department can take care of all of your Norwegian company bookkeeping, as well as consult about financial and tax questions. The monthly cost of bookkeeping depends on the company profile, for example on the number of transactions and payroll calculations. We can also provide the VAT registration form and assistance with its completion. Financial statements have to be submitted annually while VAT returns and social tax declarations have to be submitted monthly. We hold the official certified accountant status in Norway.

We work with several banks (e.g. Danske Bank) to ensure the most time efficient opening of a business bank account for your company in Norway. To set up the account, a board member has to be present for a face to face meeting during the first application stage. The payment card and online banking security token are received in the second stage. Our compliance team will consult on choosing the best bank for your business and provide support through the account opening process.

It is also possible to open a fully functioning business bank account with an individual IBAN account number and with a VISA payment card for your company in Norway, fully remotely over the internet and no visit required. We have covered this option in our Knowledge Center: Online bank account with IBAN and payment card

D-number is a number which can be assigned to foreign people who do not have a Norwegian national ID number (fødselsnummer), but need it in order to identify themselves to Norwegian authorities. It is required for company setup (in order to be appointed to the management board position) and further government services. We hold the necessary state certification to apply for a D-number on your behalf remotely.

If a company’s turnover in Norway exceeds NOK 6 million, the company will be subject to an audit obligation in the following financial year. Foreign companies that are obliged to keep accounts in accordance with the Norwegian Accounting Act are obliged to have a Norwegian public accountant (registered or state-authorised public accountant) – we hold the license.

Taxation basics in Norway

We have listed the main corporate taxation key points in Norway. For more specific tax related questions contact us for consultation with our country specific tax specialist.

Norway levies a flat rate of 22% corporate income tax on all worldwide income. The tax base is the sum of operating profit/loss, financial revenues and net capital gains minus tax depreciation. The CIT is paid in two instalments in the year after the income year.

Non-resident shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a rate of 25% on dividends in Norway, but the actual tax withholding may be reduced or there may be an exemption from withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty. Corporate EU/EEA-based shareholders are generally fully exempt from withholding tax on dividends under the domestic participation exemption (although subject to a substance requirement and a comparability criterion).

Until recently, the Norwegian tax administration operated a simplified procedure where the shareholder and nominees could receive their dividends with a reduced or even no withholding tax, as long as the company paying the dividends had positive knowledge of the shareholder’s identity and tax status. Now, the rules have been tightened and all foreign shareholders must document their identity and tax status in order to receive a reduced (or zero) withholding tax.

Norway levies a 25% VAT rate on most goods and services. There is a 12% reduced rate on certain cultural/sporting activities and transport services; a 15% reduced rate on foodstuff and beverages as well as a 11.11% reduced rate on supply of raw fish. The registration threshold for VAT is NOK 50.000.

The employer’s contribution is differentiated regionally and ranges between 0% and 14.1% on gross earnings. There is also mandatory occupational pension, which is paid by the employer and the minimum rate is 2% of gross income. Norway has no defined minimum wage, but wages are based on collective agreements between employers and trade unions/workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we have included the frequently asked questions for company formation and corporate services in Norway and the appropriate answers.

What documentation is needed?

In order to register and process your order we ask for you your passport scan, residential address (w. utility bill) and contact details.

How long does it take?

It usually takes 5-10 business days for the Commercial Registry to process the company setup. The processing times are subject to the registry work-load. It can take an additional 2-4 weeks for the D-number application and publishing depending on the workload of the migration office.

Do I have to come to Norway?

The company setup procedures can be processed fully remotely with travel to Norway not required.

What if I am not from the EU?

The Norwegian commercial code sets forward the requirement to have 1 management board member who is a resident of the European Economic Area, or at least 50% of the management board has to consist of EEA residents. We do have solutions available for non-EEA residents, please contact us for more information.

How much does it cost?

Our pricing for both new company formation and new shelf companies in Norway starts at 2280 EUR. The final cost of your project will depend on further services required such as local registered office address, registered agent service or similar. Also the annual costs will depend on the list of required services. We would be glad to provide a detailed quote specific to your project.

Do I need registered office address?

Having a local registered office address is mandatory for every Norwegian company and usually it can’t be a residential address. The legal address will be shown in the commercial registry and the official letters addressed to the company will be sent to this address. We provide a virtual registered office address as a service and forward the postage received as scanned copies to your e-mail.

Can I choose the company name?

Yes, you can choose the company business name. It is subject to registry availability. You may check availability for the name here: Brønnøysundregistrene

How do I open the bank account?

There is no shortage of international and local banks in Norway and banking systems are highly advanced, however opening a bank account can be challenging and take time. It is not possible to open the bank account by proxy or by Power of Attorney, a face to face meeting is required at the bank. However, as a solution for a quick start it is also possible to open with a fintech bank in the European Union which can be done online with no visit needed and then proceed to opening with a local traditional bank in Norway in later steps.

What about reporting requirements?

Irrespective of size, the Norwegian limited company has to file annual accounts with the commercial registry once a year. Small companies are exempted from the requirement of appointing an auditor. VAT returns and social tax declarations have to be submitted monthly. Our accounting department can take care of all reporting requirements on your behalf.

How to register for VAT?

We support in preparation and submission for VAT registration and all other necessary tax registries on your behalf.

How do I get started?

In the first step please let us know of your objectives for setting up a company in Norway. In the second step we propose the best solution with a step-by-step overview and a detailed price quote for company formation in Norway. In the third step we take care of all legal documentation and applications.

Questions? Interested in starting business in Norway?

Questions regarding company formation in Norway will be answered promptly by contacting us through the contact form below. If you would like to receive an overview of procedures and pricing break-down for your project we kindly ask to include preliminary information, for example how many participants will be in the company structure and which country residency they hold. Our country manager will respond shortly with more information to address your case including detailed procedures, timing and pricing break-down.

    Contact details

    Our office in Norway is located in central Oslo. Please schedule an appointment beforehand to be connected with our country manager.

    Call our head office at +372.50.43.245

    E-mail us at info@maxcorp.eu

    Oslo office address:
    Sørkedalsveien 5, 0369 Oslo, Norway