Company registration in Iceland - COREDO

Company registration in Iceland

Establishing a company in Iceland holds promising prospects for businessmen, offering opportunities both domestically and in the European market. In 2021, the country secured the 21st position globally for ease of doing business, consistently maintaining a top-20 ranking for quality of life.

Iceland stands out as one of the most stable and advanced economies in Europe, marked by low unemployment and inflation rates, coupled with high economic growth. The local economy is based on the fishing industry, renewable energy, and aluminium production. Recently, there has been active development in biotechnology, tourism, banking, and information technology sectors as well.

ADVANTAGES OF REGISTERING A COMPANY IN ICELAND

Iceland stands out as a highly comfortable and secure country for living. Welcoming foreign investment, it allows the registration of a new company without the need for personal presence. Additional benefits of initiating a business in Iceland encompass:

  • Stability in economic and political systems.
  • A well-developed banking system.
  • Streamlined document flow in electronic form.
  • Numerous programs aimed at supporting businesses.
  • Existence of Double Taxation Avoidance (DTA) agreements with 42 countries.

AVAILABLE TYPES OF BUSINESS ORGANISATION IN ICELAND

In Iceland, entrepreneurs have the option to establish a company in various organisational and legal forms:

  • Ehf represents a private limited company, providing a straightforward and expedited registration process. The minimum authorised capital starts at 500,000 ISK (approximately 3,600 euros).
  • P — partnership. Only a general partnership, established with a minimum capital requirement of ISK 50,000 (around 360 euros), is available.
  • Hf is an open joint-stock company with limited liability, necessitating a minimum of two shareholders and a capital investment of ISK 4,000,000 (about EUR 30,000).
  • ITC, an international trading company, mandates a business licence and is often chosen for investment and trading activities outside Iceland. The minimum authorized capital is 500,000 ISK (about 3,600 euros).

Foreign businessmen also have the option to register a branch or representative office of a company in Iceland.

FEATURES OF COMPANY REGISTRATION IN ICELAND

When considering company registration in Iceland, it’s crucial to be aware of specific restrictions on foreign investment. Non-residents, except EU citizens, face limitations on engaging in commercial fishing and utilising the country’s natural energy resources for business purposes. Additionally, foreign investors are restricted to owning a maximum of 49% of shares in local airlines.

Before initiating any business endeavours, foreigners must secure permission from the Icelandic Ministry of Commerce. All documentation for company registration must be handled by an Icelandic notary. Documents must be translated into Icelandic. While the company name can be in any language, it must be transliterated into Latin. A local legal address and an Icelandic bank account are mandatory for company registration.

Upon completion of the registration process, the founder will receive a Certificate containing comprehensive information about the company. If the nature of the business requires a licence, it can be obtained from the Licensing Committee. COREDO specialists are available to assist with the preparation and execution of all necessary documents for company registration in Iceland and provide answers to inquiries about this jurisdiction.

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