Enter the Norwegian Market Digitally
The first fully digital cross-border self-service platform for company registration in Norway. Set up your Norwegian AS or branch office from anywhere in Europe.
Start your registrationWhy Norway?
One of Europe's most attractive markets for foreign expansion - with high purchasing power, economic stability, and a transparent regulatory environment.
Foreign Direct Investment - Norway Attracts Global Business
Source: Foreign subsidiaries in Norway, 2025 - Statistics Norway (SSB)
Top investor countries by number of companies
Not in the EU - but fully integrated through the EEA
Norway is not a member of the European Union, but participates in the EU's Single Market through the EEA Agreement. This gives Norway the same rights and obligations as EU member states in trade, services, capital, and labour mobility.
EEA - What It Means
- Free movement of goods, services, capital and people across 30 EEA states
- Norway adopts most EU Single Market legislation, including company law
- EU companies can establish branches (NUF) and subsidiaries (AS) in Norway
- Norwegian companies have equal rights to operate across the EU
What This Means for Your Business
- No VAT representative needed - EEA companies register directly
- Board residency met by EEA citizens - no local board member required
- Full GDPR applies - Norway adopted the EU regulation through EEA
- Schengen member - no border controls for EU/EEA citizens
- Among the world's highest purchasing power - consumers pay for quality
- Gateway to the broader Nordic and Scandinavian markets
- World-leading sectors: energy, maritime, aquaculture and technology
- Transparent public procurement open to qualified foreign companies
- EEA member with market access - not EU, but integrated
- Highly digitalised society with strong demand for innovation
Expanding into Norway shouldn't be this hard
Foreign companies face serious barriers when trying to establish a legal presence in Norway.
Months of bureaucracy
Navigating Norwegian public registries, tax authorities, and compliance requirements without local knowledge takes forever.
Expensive advisors
Hiring Norwegian lawyers and consultants for registration can cost thousands - often without transparent pricing.
Language barriers
All official forms and communications are in Norwegian. Mistakes lead to rejections, delays and additional costs.
Complex compliance
AML/KYC requirements, beneficial ownership reporting, and ongoing regulatory obligations are hard to manage remotely.
No local presence
You need a Norwegian address, local contacts, and understanding of business culture to operate credibly.
Failed attempts
Many companies try the DIY route and give up. The process is too convoluted without expert guidance.
Norwegian AS or branch office (NUF)?
The most important structural decision when entering the Norwegian market. Both structures give you a Norwegian organisation number, VAT registration, bank account, and full B2B/B2C trading rights.
Norwegian AS (Aksjeselskap)
- Separate legal entity - fully independent Norwegian company
- Limited liability: shareholders only risk their share capital
- Minimum share capital NOK 30,000 (deposited in escrow bank account)
- Board required - at least one member must be EEA-resident
- Subject to Norwegian corporate tax (22%) on all Norwegian-source income
- Highest market credibility - preferred by banks and public sector
- Required for certain licences (financial services, staffing, security)
Norwegian NUF (Branch)
- Extension of your existing home company - not a separate legal entity
- No share capital required - zero capital lock-up
- Fast and cost-effective setup (typically 1-3 weeks)
- Same rights: Norwegian org. number, bank account, VAT deductions, Altinn access
- Full B2B and B2C sales, employee hiring, and Vipps/Klarna integration
- Ideal for e-commerce, market testing, and project-based work
- Can be upgraded to AS later without losing your org. number
Our recommendation for most EU/EEA companies: Start with a NUF. It gives you everything you need to trade, hire, and grow in Norway - at a fraction of the cost and complexity of an AS. Once you've validated the Norwegian market, you can upgrade to an AS. Over 70% of our clients begin with a NUF and scale from there.
Practical requirements for operating in Norway
Beyond the company structure, these are the practical steps every foreign company must address.
D-Number (D-nummer)
A temporary Norwegian identification number issued by Skatteetaten to foreign citizens. Required for company registration, bank accounts, tax reporting, and signing rights. Our platform handles this automatically.
Norwegian bank account
Required for payments in NOK, Vipps/Klarna integration, and customs credit. Account opening typically takes 2-8 weeks. Our banking partnership connects you with a dedicated business advisor.
.no domain registration
A Norwegian .no domain is essential for local SEO, brand credibility, and consumer trust. Registration requires a Norwegian organisation number and is managed by Norid.
Business address (forretningsadresse)
Every Norwegian AS must have a registered business address in Norway. We offer a professional c/o business address including mail handling and forwarding.
Altinn and digital access
Norway's official digital portal for all public filings - VAT returns, tax reporting, employee registration (a-melding), and communication with government agencies.
VAT and tax registration
VAT registration is mandatory when taxable turnover exceeds NOK 50,000 within 12 months. Corporate tax rate is 22%. Employer contributions are approximately 14.1% of gross salary.
The most common and expensive mistakes foreign companies make
After working with hundreds of companies entering Norway, we see the same mistakes repeated. Each one is avoidable.
Wrong company structure
Registering an AS when a NUF would suffice - or the opposite. SMEs often overspend on an AS they don't need yet, while large enterprises underestimate the credibility gap of a NUF.
Cost: NOK 30,000-100,000+Delaying the bank account
Treating the bank account as a final step. Without it you can't pay employees, handle vendor payments, or manage VAT refunds.
Cost: 4-10 weeks delayMissing VAT registration
Starting to trade without understanding the NOK 50,000 threshold. Late registration results in backdated VAT liabilities, interest, and potential fines up to 20%.
Cost: Backdated VAT plus finesD-numbers too late
D-number applications can take weeks. Without them, bank accounts can't be opened and registrations can't be completed.
Cost: 3-8 weeks cascade delayEmployer obligations ignored
Not understanding Norwegian pension (OTP), social security contributions (~14.1%), A-melding reporting, or posting-of-workers rules.
Cost: NOK 200,000+ per employeeDIY without local expertise
Foreign companies cannot submit registration documents directly - all filings must go through an authorised Norwegian firm.
Cost: Hundreds of hours lostEight steps to your Norwegian company
From registration to operating - we guide you every step of the way.
Register and submit
Enter your company number (CVR, CRN, etc.) and contact details. We auto-retrieve company data from your national business register.
Verify identity
Authenticate with your national eID (MitID, BankID, AusweisApp) and upload required documents.
Choose company type
Select NUF or AS. Our guided flow walks you through all required fields - company name, industry, address, board members.
Background check
We perform background screening of all key persons through our partner P-Secure, ensuring compliance with Norwegian authority requirements.
Authorised approval
Intermediary ensures your registration is approved by the relevant authorised public authority, so everything is legally compliant from day one.
Filed with Brønnøysund
We handle the complete submission to Brønnøysundregistrene. You are notified as soon as your Norwegian organisation number is ready.
D-Number for beneficial owners
We obtain a Norwegian D-number for one or more beneficial owners, so you can manage bank accounts and official communications directly.
Ready for business
With your organisation number and D-number in place you can invoice Norwegian customers, apply for VAT registration, and open a business bank account.
Everything you want to know
How much does it cost to register a company in Norway?
Registering a NUF through Intermediary AS costs from DKK 14,995 (Denmark), GBP 1,725 (UK), EUR 1,995 (Germany and most EU countries), or SEK 21,450 (Sweden). All prices exclude VAT and state fees. For a Norwegian AS, you also need minimum share capital of NOK 30,000.
What is the difference between a Norwegian AS and a NUF?
A Norwegian AS is a fully incorporated, separate legal entity with limited liability and minimum share capital of NOK 30,000. A NUF is a branch office of your existing foreign company - no share capital needed, quicker to set up, and ideal for testing the Norwegian market.
Can I register a Norwegian company online from abroad?
Yes. Intermediary AS provides a fully digital registration process. You can register a Norwegian AS or NUF entirely online from anywhere in the EU/EEA using your national eID. No physical presence in Norway is required.
Do I need to live in Norway to own a Norwegian AS?
No. However, under Aksjeloven § 6-11, at least half of the board members must be resident in the EEA, and the managing director must be EEA-resident. We can help arrange a qualified Norwegian-resident board member if needed.
How long does it take to register a company in Norway?
With Intermediary AS, the digital registration process is significantly faster than the traditional route, which can take several months. NUF registration typically takes 1-3 weeks, AS registration 2-5 weeks.
Is a VAT representative required?
No. Companies from EEA countries or the UK are exempt from appointing a VAT representative in Norway - saving thousands in annual fees and removing solidary liability for VAT payments.
Ready to expand to Norway?
Start your Norwegian company registration today - fully digital, transparent pricing, end-to-end support.
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