Foreign ownership
Foreign founders can establish a Norwegian AS
Details
An overseas company can establish a Norwegian limited company. Prepare the parent’s registration evidence and its resolution establishing the Norwegian operation.
Europe
Private limited company (AS) · NOK30,000 minimum capital · at least half the board must meet European residence rules

Foreign founders can establish a Norwegian AS
An overseas company can establish a Norwegian limited company. Prepare the parent’s registration evidence and its resolution establishing the Norwegian operation.
NOK30,000 minimum capital
Registry and professional charges are separate. The company still needs enough funds to meet its planned operating costs.
Ecosystem evidence, not proof of demand for your product. Validate customers, competition and economics before investing.
Businesses can investigate specialised production and technology partners for a defined application.
Norway participates through the EEA agreement. This is not EU customs-union membership; check product rules, customs and the scope of market access.
An AS is a separate legal entity, so owners risk only their share capital. A branch is an extension of the foreign company: simpler to run, but without that liability shield.
A foreign company carrying out business in Norway can register a branch, which answers directly to the parent. It needs no capital, but taxable branches keep accounts and file annual accounts.
The AS has a separate legal identity and one or more owners. Register the company and document the capital contribution.
The general manager must also meet the residence rule. Eligible places include Norway, the EEA, Switzerland and the UK; check any exemption before appointment.
Choose the legal form before preparing the notification.
The bank confirms the paid-in share capital, and that confirmation goes with the registration filing. An auditor, lawyer or authorised accountant can confirm a cash payment instead.
Where a role-holder lacks a Norwegian identity number or D-number, submit the paper registration and a D-number application for each person, with certified identity documents. Check current registry processing times before planning the start date.
National observations help frame the market. They do not measure demand for your specific product.
US$531bn
USD · 2025
5.61m
people · 2025
79.1% of GDP
2025
1.1%
2025
99.0% of population
2024
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Information on this page is compiled from official and public sources, linked and dated next to each item. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, and rules change. Please confirm with the source or a qualified adviser before acting. ExpandUs Global accepts no liability for decisions made using this information.