Options for registering companies in Norway
As a stable, high-income country with vast oil and gas resources, maritime expertise and a strong focus on innovation and renewable energy, Norway presents a highly secure and lucrative market for international business.
While not a member of the European Union (EU), Norway is part of the European Economic Area (EEA), granting it full access to the EU’s single market and simplifying trade and investment for companies from the EEA region.
Norway offers international companies the following legal structures for establishing a presence:
Private limited company (Aksjeselskap - AS)
- The AS is the most common and standard corporate form for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and foreign subsidiaries in Norway.
- Shareholders benefit from limited liability—their personal assets are protected and their financial liability is limited to the share capital they have invested.
- The minimum required share capital is NOK 30,000 (approximately €2,580), which must be fully paid up and confirmed by a bank or auditor before registration.
- The company must have a board of directors consisting of at least one member. At least 50% of the board members must reside in Norway or another EEA country.
Branch office (Norskregistrert Utenlandsk Foretak - NUF)
- The NUF is a Norwegian-registered branch of a foreign company and is not a separate legal entity from its parent company.
- There is no minimum share capital requirement to establish a NUF, making it an attractive option for initial entry.
- The foreign parent company retains full legal and financial liability for all the branch's operations, debts and obligations in Norway. The branch must appoint a local contact person or business manager.
- The name of the branch must be the same as the foreign parent company, followed by the abbreviation NUF.
Public limited company (Allmennaksjeselskap - ASA)
- The ASA is typically chosen by large organisations or those seeking to raise substantial capital by offering shares to the general public or listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
- It is subject to the Norwegian Public Limited Companies Act and requires a minimum share capital of NOK 1,000,000 (approximately €85,900).
- The ASA must have a board of directors with at least three members and is subject to stricter governance rules, including requirements for gender representation on the board and a mandatory auditor.
To help you choose the right structure, we have created an ‘at a glance’ summary table for the common company types that outlines key differences in formation processes, requirements and timelines. It serves as a valuable resource for foreign companies looking to set up or expand a business in Norway.
Comparison of the common types of companies in Norway
Information verified against Altinn (The Norwegian Business and Administration Portal)