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How to Start a Business in Norway? Documents, Translations, and Formalities Step by Step
How to set up a business in Norway MultiNOR
Having your own business in Norway is, for many Poles, a chance for stability, high earnings, and professional independence. The Norwegian market values reliable professionals, and the opportunities for growth are enormous. However, the path from an idea to issuing your first invoice requires going through a series of formalities. The key to success is thorough preparation – without the right documents and their official translations, registering a business will be impossible.
Norwegian bureaucracy works efficiently but is very meticulous. Therefore, when planning to open a company, it is worth starting by gathering the necessary documents while still in Poland.
Norwegian bureaucracy works efficiently but is very meticulous. Therefore, when planning to open a company, it is worth starting by gathering the necessary documents while still in Poland.
Your "Starter Folder" – Which Documents from Poland Will You Need?
Before you go to Norwegian offices or log in to the Altinn system, make sure you have the appropriate documents prepared. Although requirements may vary slightly depending on the industry, the most commonly needed are:
- Birth certificate – the basic document confirming your identity.
- Marriage certificate – necessary if you changed your surname after marriage.
- Certificate of no criminal record (KRK) – crucial in many regulated industries, such as construction (needed for the HMS card), transport, or cleaning services.
- Certificates from ZUS and the Tax Office confirming no outstanding contributions or taxes – may be required, especially when registering for the Norwegian VAT register (MVA).
- Documents confirming experience or previous business activity in Poland (e.g., printout from CEIDG, diplomas, certificates) – these build your credibility.
Registering a Company in Norway – Step-by-Step Procedure
Once you have gathered and translated your documents, you can proceed with the actual registration. Here are the 6 main stages:
Step 1. Choosing the form of business
Poles most often choose enkeltpersonforetak (ENK), which is a sole proprietorship. This is the simplest and cheapest option. An alternative is a limited liability company (aksjeselskap – AS), which requires share capital (min. 30,000 NOK) but offers better protection of personal assets.
Step 2. Obtaining an identification number
To operate legally, you must have a personnummer (if you live permanently) or a temporary D-nummer (if you are staying for a shorter period). Even at the stage of applying for a number, translated civil status documents (birth, marriage certificates) are often required.
Step 3. Registration with Brønnøysundregistrene
This is the most important stage. The company must be registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregisteret). Registration is done online via the Altinn system. You must be ready to attach scans of the required documents to the electronic application – of course, in translated form.
Step 4. VAT registration (Merverdiavgiftsregisteret)
If your turnover exceeds 50,000 NOK within 12 months, you must register as a VAT payer. The office may then request translated certificates of no outstanding payments from Poland.
Step 5. Business bank account – often the biggest challenge
Norwegian banks are very strict and thoroughly verify clients. To open an account, they require a complete set of company registration documents and sworn translations of your personal documents. This is often the "bottleneck" of the entire process – errors in translations or their absence can block the account opening, making it impossible to run the business.
Step 6. Notification to the Tax Office (Skatteetaten)
Finally, you report your business to Skatteetaten to determine the amount of advance income tax payments (forskuddsskatt).
Step 1. Choosing the form of business
Poles most often choose enkeltpersonforetak (ENK), which is a sole proprietorship. This is the simplest and cheapest option. An alternative is a limited liability company (aksjeselskap – AS), which requires share capital (min. 30,000 NOK) but offers better protection of personal assets.
Step 2. Obtaining an identification number
To operate legally, you must have a personnummer (if you live permanently) or a temporary D-nummer (if you are staying for a shorter period). Even at the stage of applying for a number, translated civil status documents (birth, marriage certificates) are often required.
Step 3. Registration with Brønnøysundregistrene
This is the most important stage. The company must be registered in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregisteret). Registration is done online via the Altinn system. You must be ready to attach scans of the required documents to the electronic application – of course, in translated form.
Step 4. VAT registration (Merverdiavgiftsregisteret)
If your turnover exceeds 50,000 NOK within 12 months, you must register as a VAT payer. The office may then request translated certificates of no outstanding payments from Poland.
Step 5. Business bank account – often the biggest challenge
Norwegian banks are very strict and thoroughly verify clients. To open an account, they require a complete set of company registration documents and sworn translations of your personal documents. This is often the "bottleneck" of the entire process – errors in translations or their absence can block the account opening, making it impossible to run the business.
Step 6. Notification to the Tax Office (Skatteetaten)
Finally, you report your business to Skatteetaten to determine the amount of advance income tax payments (forskuddsskatt).
Why Isn’t an "Ordinary" Translation Enough?
You may ask: why can't I translate the documents myself or use a standard translation agency? Norwegian offices, banks, and institutions operate on the principle of full document credibility. Only a sworn translation, bearing the seal and signature of a certified translator, has legal force.
A sworn translator takes responsibility for ensuring that the content of the translation is 100% consistent with the original. For a Norwegian official, this is a guarantee that the data in the document is true. Submitting documents without proper certification usually results in the application being rejected and a loss of valuable time.
A sworn translator takes responsibility for ensuring that the content of the translation is 100% consistent with the original. For a Norwegian official, this is a guarantee that the data in the document is true. Submitting documents without proper certification usually results in the application being rejected and a loss of valuable time.
Don’t Waste Time on Formalities – Focus on Your Business
Preparing documents to set up a company is crucial but can be stressful. Searching for a translator on your own, comparing prices, worrying about formal correctness – all this takes time that you could spend planning your business.
If you want to be sure that your documents will be prepared quickly and in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian offices, it is worth using proven solutions from companies that know the specifics of the local market.
MultiNOR specializes in professional translations of documents necessary to set up a company in Norway. The process is as simple as possible: just send a scan of your document online to receive a free quote in just 3 minutes. It’s a fast, safe, and convenient way to complete the necessary documentation.
If you want to be sure that your documents will be prepared quickly and in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian offices, it is worth using proven solutions from companies that know the specifics of the local market.
MultiNOR specializes in professional translations of documents necessary to set up a company in Norway. The process is as simple as possible: just send a scan of your document online to receive a free quote in just 3 minutes. It’s a fast, safe, and convenient way to complete the necessary documentation.
Summary
Starting a business in Norway is entirely achievable, but it requires a methodical approach. The most important element of the puzzle is properly prepared and translated documents from Poland. By taking care of this aspect from the very beginning, you will avoid unnecessary stress and ensure a quick and smooth start in the demanding but highly profitable Norwegian market. Good luck!
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