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Norway at a glance
Norway is outside the European Union. Its companies follow the jurisdiction's own incorporation rules. Compare company types, capital, tax, timing and signing requirements before you choose. The proposed 28th Regime (EU Inc) is a separate option that is not available yet.
Company types in Norway
- AS (Aksjeselskap) The standard private limited company. Limited liability, NOK 30,000 minimum capital, can be founded by one or more owners, and needs a Norwegian business address.
- NUF (Norwegian-registered foreign branch) A branch of a foreign company with no minimum capital, used by foreign owners who already run an entity abroad.
Company formation in Norway: key facts (last reviewed July 2026)
- Corporate tax
- Flat 22% corporate income tax, with no separate municipal corporate tax. A higher 25% rate applies to the financial sector, plus resource-rent taxes for petroleum and hydropower.
- VAT rate
- Standard VAT (MVA) is 25%, with reduced rates of 15% (food) and 12% (passenger transport, accommodation). Registration is mandatory once taxable sales exceed NOK 50,000 in 12 months.
- Dividends & payroll taxes
- Dividends are effectively taxed at about 37.8% for individuals after the statutory upward adjustment. Personal income tax reaches roughly 47%, and the employer contribution is 14.1% in most zones.
- Minimum share capital
- NOK 30,000 (about EUR 2,600) for an AS, fully paid into a share-capital account before registration (a bank, auditor, lawyer or accountant confirms it). An ASA requires NOK 1,000,000.
- Setup time
- Electronic registration through Altinn is processed within 10 working days, or within 5 with the digital company-formation service; simple filings are often done in 1 to 5 business days.
- Remote setup
- Possible but not frictionless. Online registration via Altinn needs every role-holder to have a Norwegian ID or D-number plus an electronic ID; those without it file on paper. A Norwegian physical address is required, and the bank capital deposit is the hardest remote step.
- Director / residency
- The managing director and at least half the board must reside in Norway, the EEA, the UK or Switzerland (the register can grant exemptions). Shareholders can be any nationality and resident anywhere.
- Banking options
- An AS needs a Norwegian share-capital account to deposit the NOK 30,000. Main banks are DNB, Nordea and SpareBank 1; non-resident onboarding is hard, so the deposit can instead be confirmed by an auditor or lawyer.
- Our formation service
- from around €100 to €200 (estimated). You get a fixed quote in your free plan before you commit.
Norway is not an EU member; it is in the EEA and EFTA, so it joins the single market while staying outside the EU customs union, the EU VAT area and EU company-law harmonisation, and would not be covered by the EU Inc / 28th Regime. It has a flat 22% corporate tax, a highly digital registry (Altinn, Brønnøysund) and uses the Norwegian krone.
How to register a company in Norway
Step by step, this is how a Norway formation actually runs:
- Get D-numbers and e-ID. Every board member without a Norwegian ID needs a D-number; without electronic ID the filings go on paper via a local agent.
- Draft the AS documents. Memorandum, articles and board composition; at least half the board must reside in the EEA (or the UK), or an exemption is needed.
- Deposit the NOK 30,000 capital. A Norwegian share-capital account receives the deposit and the bank (or auditor/lawyer) confirms it.
- Register via Altinn. The Brønnøysund Register Centre processes the filing, typically within 5 to 10 business days electronically.
- Tax and VAT registration. Corporate tax follows registration; VAT registration applies once turnover passes NOK 50,000.
We can help coordinate documents, address requirements and filings with licensed local counsel. The steps and timing depend on your company and circumstances.
What company formation in Norway costs
The 2026 registration fee for an AS is NOK 6,825 when filed digitally or NOK 7,912 on paper, plus the NOK 30,000 (about EUR 2,600) capital that becomes usable working money. Non-resident founders should budget for D-number handling and possibly a local agent. Accounting typically runs NOK 1,500 to 3,000 a month for a small AS.
Plan your Norwegian company formation
Tell us where you live and what you are building. Our formation service fee is from around €100 to €200 (estimated). We help you compare structures and prepare a quote with the scope, costs and expected timing. Government charges, capital and ongoing services are separate unless included in that quote.
Get your free planWho can form a company in Norway
Check ownership eligibility separately from director, local-address and licensing requirements. Permission to own shares does not automatically give you permission to live or work in Norway. The director and residency information above identifies the main formation conditions to review.
Norway fits businesses selling into the Norwegian market or working its energy and maritime sectors, with EEA single-market access from outside the EU. For a remote founder without Norwegian ties, the D-number and board-residency mechanics make it a deliberate choice rather than a convenience play.
After registration: what Norway expects each year
Annual accounts go to the Register of Company Accounts by the end of July, filed electronically. The corporate tax return runs on advance instalments, and VAT reporting is bi-monthly by default. Small AS companies can waive the auditor below thresholds; the EEA board-residency condition must stay satisfied.
Plan beyond the registration fee
Use these guides alongside the national rules for your company. The cost and filing examples cover Estonia, Ireland and Portugal.
Norway and the 28th Regime (EU Inc)
EU Inc, the proposed 28th Regime, would add a harmonised company form in EU member states. Registration is not open and no launch date is confirmed. Norway is outside the EU, so forming a company there does not make it an EU company or guarantee access to the proposed regime. Read how to prepare an EU Inc company, or compare current options in company formation in Europe.
Sources and review scope
Use the linked registries, authorities and specialist references to check the requirements for your company. A review of formation costs and filings does not replace a review of your tax position.
Topics checked
These dates apply to the named topics. Other figures and indicative service prices have separate review needs.
- AS digital and paper registration fees for 2026 Checked . Source 1
Reference links
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Norway?
The managing director and at least half the board must reside in Norway, the EEA, the UK or Switzerland (the register can grant exemptions). Shareholders can be any nationality and resident anywhere.
How long does company formation in Norway take?
Electronic registration through Altinn is processed within 10 working days, or within 5 with the digital company-formation service; simple filings are often done in 1 to 5 business days.
What corporate tax does a company in Norway pay?
The headline summary is 22% flat, with standard VAT of 25%. Company form, activity, size and where the business operates can change the treatment. Read the detailed tax information and confirm the rules for your case.
Can I form a company in Norway remotely?
Possible but not frictionless. Online registration via Altinn needs every role-holder to have a Norwegian ID or D-number plus an electronic ID; those without it file on paper. A Norwegian physical address is required, and the bank capital deposit is the hardest remote step.
What does it cost to form a company in Norway?
The 2026 registration fee for an AS is NOK 6,825 when filed digitally or NOK 7,912 on paper, plus the NOK 30,000 (about EUR 2,600) capital that becomes usable working money. Our formation service fee is from around €100 to €200 (estimated). Government charges, capital and ongoing services must be budgeted separately unless the written quote includes them.