COREDO > Company Formation in Norway

Company Formation in Norway

Why Register a Company in Norway

Norway is one of the most stable and prestigious jurisdictions in Northern Europe, with a high level of economic development and a strong legal system.

The country provides access to EU markets through the European Economic Area (EEA) and offers favourable conditions for international business. Norway’s economy is based on energy, the oil and gas sector, shipbuilding, and fisheries, while maintaining a high level of transparency and investment attractiveness.

Get a Consultation

Cost of the service
from 4 500 EUR

Types of Companies in Norway

Foreign citizens can register a business in Norway in several legal forms.

AS (Aksjeselskap)

Private limited liability company. The most common form of doing business in Norway. It can be established by a single shareholder. The minimum share capital is NOK 30,000. The capital must be deposited into a bank account before registration. At least half of the board members must be residents of Norway or another EEA country.

ASA (Allmennaksjeselskap)

Public limited company. It can be established by a single shareholder of any residency. The minimum share capital is NOK 1,000,000, of which at least 25% must be paid in at the time of incorporation. The board of directors consists of at least three members, and if a corporate assembly is established, at least five members.

Partnership

At least two partners — individuals or legal entities — are required. There is no minimum share capital requirement. Activities are regulated by the Partnership Act 1985.

Under Norwegian law, AS and ASA companies with more than 30 employees are required to have at least one employee-elected representative on the board of directors. If the company has more than 50 employees, both genders must be represented on the board.

Company Registration Procedure

Registration of legal entities in Norway is carried out through the Register of Business Enterprises (Foretaksregisteret), administered by the Brønnøysund Register Centre (Brønnøysundregistrene). Documents can be submitted electronically through the government portal Altinn. The application for registration must be filed within three months of signing the memorandum of association.

Key registration steps include: opening a bank account in a Norwegian bank and depositing the share capital; obtaining confirmation from the bank; preparing the memorandum of association (stiftelsesdokument) and articles of association (vedtekter); submitting documents to Brønnøysundregistrene via Altinn; receiving the organisation number; and registering with the tax authorities (Skatteetaten).

Required Documents

The following documents are required to register a company in Norway:

the memorandum of association specifying the company name, registered office, share capital amount, and information about the founders;

the articles of association;

the minutes of the founders’ meeting with resolutions on the appointment of the director and approval of the articles;

identity documents of the founders and directors (passports);

bank confirmation of the share capital deposit;

confirmation of the registered office in Norway.

Foreign documents must be translated into Norwegian and, where necessary, apostilled.

Capital Requirements

Form	Minimum Capital	Details
AS (private limited company)	NOK 30,000	Full amount deposited before registration
ASA (public limited company)	NOK 1,000,000	Min. 25% at incorporation
Partnership	Not required	No capital requirements

Tax System in Norway

Norway applies a competitive and transparent tax system. The standard corporate income tax (CIT) rate is 22%. An increased rate of 25% applies to companies in the financial sector.

The standard value-added tax (VAT) rate is 25%. Reduced rates apply: 15% for food and beverages (excluding tobacco, alcohol, and medicines); 12% for domestic passenger transport, accommodation services, cinema tickets, museums, galleries, amusement parks, and sporting events. VAT registration is mandatory when annual turnover exceeds NOK 50,000.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account in Norway is a mandatory step in company registration, as the share capital must be deposited before submitting documents to the register. The account is opened at a Norwegian bank, after which the founders receive confirmation of the deposit, which is appended to the registration documents. COREDO specialists assist with opening corporate bank accounts and liaising with Norwegian financial institutions.

Registration Timeline

The company registration process in Norway takes from 5 business days to 3–4 weeks, depending on the legal form, completeness of the submitted documents, and workload of the registration authority. Electronic filing through Altinn typically accelerates the process.

COREDO Service Fees

Service	Cost
Company formation in Norway (full package: company + bank account + VAT)	from EUR 4,500 + VAT
Virtual office	from EUR 350/month

Bank account opening separately: from EUR 1,800 to EUR 2,300 + VAT

The full package includes: company registration (AS), opening a corporate bank account, and obtaining a VAT number. The minimum share capital for an AS is NOK 30,000. For a personalised quote, contact our specialists — we will prepare a detailed commercial proposal tailored to your specific situation.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company formation across various European jurisdictions.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with COREDO since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company formation.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Has been with COREDO since June 2022, specialising in legal support for the registration and structuring of companies in various jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign national without a residence permit register an AS company in Norway?

Yes, foreign nationals without a residence permit can establish an AS company in Norway. However, the requirement that at least half of the board members must be residents of Norway or another EEA country must be met.

What is the minimum share capital to register an AS in Norway?

The minimum share capital for a private limited company (AS) is NOK 30,000. The full amount must be deposited into a bank account before filing the registration documents.

In which sectors are there restrictions for foreign investors in Norway?

Restrictions for non-residents apply in the energy sector, insurance and finance, fishing and fish processing, shipping, and air transport. For example, non-residents cannot own more than 40% of a Norwegian fishing vessel or more than 30% of an aviation transport company.

What tax system applies to companies in Norway?

The standard corporate income tax rate is 22%. The VAT rate is 25%, with reduced rates of 15% for food and 12% for transport and accommodation services. An increased CIT rate of 25% applies to companies in the financial sector.

Is Norway a member of the European Union?

Norway is not a member of the EU, but it is part of the European Economic Area (EEA), which ensures the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour between Norway and EU member states.

Request a Consultation

COREDO specialists provide full support for the company registration process in Norway — from document preparation to obtaining the organisation number and tax registration. We have been operating since 2016 and help entrepreneurs from dozens of countries successfully build business structures in Europe and beyond.