Types of Norwegian companies

Entrepreneurs who choose to establish a company in Norway find a welcoming environment, with a stable economy and efficient organization. The main company types are the private and the public limited company.

Forming a Public Limited Company (Allmennaksjeselskaper - ASA) in Norway
This company type is a typical limited company, with members who are held liable to the extent of their contributions. The Norwegian public limited company differentiates from the private one in that it has rules that regulate its ownership. This type of company must offer the possibility for the public to purchase stock. The Norwegian companies that are enlisted on a Stock Exchange are ASA type companies. The minimum capital of a public limited company is 1.000.000 NOK (Norwegian krone, currency of Norway).

Forming a Private Limited Company (Aksjeselskaper - AS) in Norway
This is the equivalent of a stock-based company in which the owners cannot be held liable beyond each one's contribution to the company's stock capital. The private limited company must provide a minimum capital of 100.000 NOK. The shares of a Norwegian private limited company are registered and cannot be made public, or be freely transferred.

Forming a General Partnership (Ansvarlig selskap - ANS) in Norway
Norwegian partnerships are regulated by the Partnership Act and each partnership agreement. It can be established by two or more members who have the right to manage the company and are held responsible for the gains and profits of the company, and also the losses. All the partners are active, being general partners. Their liability is unlimited, the partners being liable to the company's debts and obligations. The general partnership does not require a minimum capital.

Forming a Limited Partnership (Kommandittselsjap - KS) in Norway
The limited partnership is established by two or more individuals or legal entities who may be Norwegian residents or foreigners. A limited partnership does not require a minimum capital and has two kinds of partners, the general and limited partners. The members of the first category have full liability to the extent of their own personal assets and have the right and obligation to manage the company and to deal with its losses. The second category represents the limited partners. They make their contribution to the capital of the company and do not interfere with the management of the company, instead being liable only to the extent of their contribution.

Forming a Sole Proprietorship (ENK) in Norway
A Norwegian sole proprietorship is a business conducted by one member who must assume full responsibility and liability to his company's debts and obligations. Instead the sole trader can re-invest the profits of the enterprise.