Establish a company

Establish a company in Norway

The right company form first. The paperwork after. Most people who get in touch know they need a company, but not which one. We settle the form against what you will actually be doing, write the founding documents and file them through Altinn.

Do the founders live abroad? That is fine — say so when you ask.

The company form

AS, sole proprietorship or NUF?

The choice is about liability, capital and who will own it. Here are the three that matter in practice, and what argues for and against each.

Option one

Limited company (AS)

A separate legal person, limited liability

✓You are not personally liable for the company's debt
✓Can have several owners, and shares can be transferred
✓Taken more seriously by banks, customers and suppliers
−Requires NOK 30 000 in share capital, paid in before registration
−Full accounting obligations from day one

Right when you will have employees, take on risk, bring in co-owners, or operate at a scale where personal liability becomes uncomfortable.

Option two

Sole proprietorship (ENK)

You yourself, registered

✓No share capital — you can register it today
✓Simpler accounts and lower running costs
✓Quick to wind up again if it does not work out
−You are personally liable — with everything you own
−Cannot be shared with a co-owner, and cannot be sold as a company

Right when you are starting alone, on a small scale, with low risk — consultancy, say, or a trial you want to test before tying up capital.

And NUF? A Norwegian-registered branch suits someone already running a company abroad. If the business will sit in Norway, an AS is usually simpler and better received — and we say so.

How it works

From decision to organisation number.

Our part is the decision, the documents and the filing. The processing time afterwards is controlled by Brønnøysundregistrene, not by us — and we say so plainly rather than promising something we do not control.

01We settle the formWhat you will be doing, who will own it, where the founders live and what risk is involved. That determines whether the answer is AS, sole proprietorship or NUF.

02The documents are writtenFounding document, articles of association and share register for an AS. We set the purpose so it covers what you will actually do, not only what you do today.

03The share capital is confirmedAS only. The capital must be paid in and confirmed before registration — this is where many hit the wall with the bank. If you need to start sooner, a shelf company is often the answer.

04Filing through AltinnWe file and follow the case. Processing time at Brønnøysund is theirs, not ours, and we tell you if something looks like it is stalling.

05VAT and what followsFor most businesses, VAT registration becomes relevant when taxable turnover exceeds NOK 50,000 during a 12-month period. If you need an accountant or invoicing afterwards, we have both.

In more of a hurry than Brønnøysund allows? A shelf company is already registered, with the organisation number issued and the capital paid in. It costs more, but the wait is already over.

Common questions

What people wonder about before they form one.

If your question is not here, ask — you get the answer in writing, with no obligation.

Do I need to live in Norway to form a company?

No. Foreign owners and founders are common, and much of the process can normally be handled without travel. People in central roles — general manager, board members and signatories — must still be identifiable in Norwegian registers, and if you live abroad this normally happens through a D-number. It is a separate application with its own processing time. Tell us where the board lives when you ask, and we clarify the requirements from the start.

How long does a registration take?

Our part — the decision, the documents and the filing — goes quickly. After that Brønnøysundregistrene controls the timing, and it varies with season, company form and whether anything has to be supplied afterwards. We do not promise a date we do not control, but we keep you informed, and we say up front if something in your case typically makes it slower.

Can I convert from a sole proprietorship to an AS later?

Yes, and many do when the business grows. It is not a button you press — in practice an AS is formed and the business is transferred, and that has both tax and accounting consequences. If it is relevant for you, we say what has to be done and bring in an accountant or a lawyer where needed. TECLA does not give tax advice itself.

What does it cost?

The price is built from the advice on form and requirements, the founding documents, the filing through Altinn and VAT registration where it applies. Brønnøysund's registration fee comes on top and is shown separately — it is the authorities' fee, not ours. You get the whole breakdown in writing before you commit to anything.

Can you also do the accounts afterwards?

Yes. Accounting, insurance, HMS cards, occupational pensions and tax returns have been TECLA's business for many years, and those clients continue as before. If the company is going to invoice, we also have our own product — TECLA Faktura.

Next step

Tell us what you will be doing.

One line about the plan, where the founders live and when you want to be running. You get a recommendation on the form and what it costs.

Call Lars directly

Processing time at Brønnøysundregistrene is controlled by the authorities. Prices and fees are confirmed in writing before you commit. TECLA does not provide legal or tax advice.

Weighing the alternative?

Buy a shelf company A registered AS with the organisation number issued and the capital paid in. Prices What the price is built from, and what is always shown separately.