Starting and registering a sole proprietorship
If you wish to start a sole proprietorship you must choose a business name and describe the activity of the business you intend to run. You can find what the requirements for starting a sole proprietorship are, and how to proceed with the registration of the enterprise here.
Are you considering starting a sole proprietorship?
Do you know what it takes to succeed and what it requires of you? The startup tutorial can prepare you for what a sole proprietorship entails. The tutorial provides information on what to consider and how you should proceed.
In order to start a sole proprietorship, you must:
- plan to conduct commercial activity
- have a Norwegian business address (i.e., Norwegian physical address and be stated in the format: street/road name, house number, postcode and postal town. A PO boxis not accepted.)
- be 18 years or older (if you are over 15, you can register a sole proprietorship with the permission of your guardian and the County Governor (Application for the County Governor's approval) choose "Application for the County Governor´s approval to make other dispositions on behalf of a person under guardianship (available in Norwegian only)" once you are logged in to the form)
Registering a sole proprietorship
This is how you register a sole proprietorship if you have a Norwegian national ID number or D-number(If you have a d-number, you are obligated to go through an ID-verification with the Tax Administration. If you have not had your identification confirmed at a tax office, you will not be able to complete the registration until the identification has been confirmed):
- Register a sole proprietorship by completing the form entitled 'Coordinated register notification' in Altinn.
- If you have an agreement with an accountant or auditor, he or she must confirm the assignment by signing the form electronically.
- Send the notification for signing. You will then receive an electronic signature request in your inbox in Altinn and can sign the message.
- You will be notified when the business has been registered via your Inbox in Altinn. Electronic signing
If you do not have a Norwegian national identity number or D-number
- Register a sole proprietorship by completing and signing the paper forms "Application for a d-number alongside registration in the Brønnøysund Register Centre" and "Simplified register notification – Form for sole proprietorships":
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Application for a d-number
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Simplified form for sole proprietorships
- Send the forms to the postal address stated on the form "Simplified registration form for Sole proprietorships". Enclose a certified copy of valid identification.
- When a D-number has been assigned to you, you need to book an appointment for ID-verification with the Tax Administration.
- When the ID-verification is completed, the Brønnøysund Register Centre will process your registration.
Foreign Citizen
If you are a citizen of a non-EU-/EEA country, and are planning to run a business in Norway, you need to have a residence permit that will allow you to work here. The conditions for applying for such a work permit can be found at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
Directorate of Immigration – apply for a residence permit
Name of sole proprietorship
In the case of a sole proprietorship, your surname must be part of the business name. You can also choose a marketing name for your business. Read more about choosing names (domains, business names and trademarks).
How much does it cost to register a sole proprietorship?
The registration fee for registering in The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities is NOK 2,499 in the case of electronic registration. (In the case of registration using a paper form, the fee is NOK 3,146)
Some sole proprietorships must also register in the Register of Business Enterprises. This primarily applies to sole proprietorships that intend to trade in ready-made goods, and sole proprietorships with more than five employees.
The registration fee for registering a sole proprietorship in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities and the Register of Business Enterprises is NOK 2 656 in the case of electronic registration(NOK 3,205 in the case of registration using a paper form).
The registration fee in the Register of Business Enterprises later is NOK 2,120 in the case of electronic registration(NOK 2,668 in the case of registration using a paper form).
You will be assigned an organisation number when the registration has been approved.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Registering a sole proprietorship
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Compulsory registration in the Register of Business Enterprises
How long does it take?
The Brønnøysund Register Centre's case processing times varies throughout the year.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Expected processing time
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – How to check the status of your case
Running a sole proprietorship
You can read about running a sole proprietorship here.
