How to Register Your Sole Proprietorship or Limited Liability Company in Norway
The rule is, there is no need to register as a sole proprietorship unless you have more than five employees, reselling purchased goods or you use goods as collateral.
Of course, if you prefer to incorporate a limited liability company, the registration is required from the start.
Here are the links how to register different business entities in Norway:
Register a Sole Proprietorship: Click this link.
Limited Liability Company: Click this link.
Registering a sole proprietorship (enkeltpersonforetak)
1. Register with the Brønnøysund Register Centre: Visit the Brønnøysund Register Centre's website (www.brreg.no) and register your business online. Provide information about your business activities, address, and more.
2. Obtain an Organization Number (Organisasjonsnummer): Once registered, you will receive an organization number that is used for various official purposes.
3. Register for VAT (if applicable): If your turnover exceeds a certain threshold (currently NOK 50,000), you need to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten).
Registering a Limited Liability Company (Aksjeselskap, AS)
1. Articles of Association: Draft the Articles of Association (Vedtekter) detailing the company's purpose, structure, share distribution, and management.
2. Shareholders and Capital: Determine the initial share capital of the company. The minimum share capital for an AS is NOK 30,000. Decide on the number of shareholders and their contributions.
3. Notarization of Articles: Have the Articles of Association notarized by a Norwegian notary.
4. Open a Blocked Bank Account: Open a temporary blocked bank account and deposit the required share capital. This account will be used to confirm the capital deposit during registration.
5. Register with the Brønnøysund Register Centre: Visit the Brønnøysund Register Centre's website (www.brreg.no) and register your company online. Provide information about the company, shareholders, board members, etc.
Confirm the blocked bank account details as part of the registration process.
6. Obtain an Organization Number (Organisasjonsnummer): Once registered, you will receive an organization number that is used for various official purposes.
7. Register for VAT (if applicable): If your company's turnover exceeds a certain threshold (currently NOK 50,000), you need to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten).
8. Board of Directors and Management: Appoint the board of directors and any management roles required by your company's structure.
How to Register Your Sole Proprietorship or Limited Liability Company in Switzerland
To learn the basics, watch this video
Sole Proprietorship / Einzelfirma / Raison Individuelle
Do you need to register as a sole proprietor from the start?
No. You don't need to register as a sole proprietorship (Einzelfirma, Ditta Individuale, Raison Individuelle) unless you are earning more than CHF 100,000 per year in which case, you also need to register for VAT. Below this threshold, you can voluntarily register your sole proprietorship.
BUT! It is wise to register because without that registration, you look like a HOBBY.
Where to register? Handelregisteramt / Registre du Commerce where your business is going to be located.
Remember: If you Don't register your company, take note that there is still a SEPARATE registration as a self-employed individual with the compensation office. Click this link
As a rule, you need to register as a self-employed individual as soon as you have at least three clients and earning a minimum of CHF 2300 per year – expenses already removed. Again, this is a SEPARATE obligation.
Where to register to get the self-employed status: AHV/AVS or the compensation office / Ausgleichkassen in the Canton where your company is domiciled. Click this Link
BUT! if you already registered your sole proprietorship, the Ausgleichkassen will send you the forms automatically.
Registering a GmbH/SARL
1. Registered Office: Establish a registered office address in Switzerland, which will serve as the official address of your company.
2. Shareholders and Capital: Determine the initial share capital of the company. In Switzerland, the minimum share capital required for a GmbH/SARL is CHF 20,000. Identify the shareholders who will contribute to this capital. It can just be one person.
3. Draft the Articles of Association: Prepare the Articles of Association (Statuten) detailing the company's structure, purpose, share distribution, management, and other important provisions.
4. Appointment of Directors: Designate at least one director who will be responsible for managing the company's operations. Directors must be individuals and can be Swiss residents or foreigners.
5. Notarization of Articles of Association: The Articles of Association must be notarized by a Swiss notary. The notary will ensure that the document complies with Swiss legal requirements.
6. Bank Account and Capital Deposit: Open a capital account in a bank in Switzerland and deposit the required share capital (CHF 20,000 or more) into the account. This capital will remain blocked until the company is officially registered. This capital account is different from your your company's bank account which you will open once your GmbH/SARL is approved.
7. Register with the Commercial Register: Submit the notarized Articles of Association, details of directors and shareholders, and other required documents to the Swiss Commercial Register (Handelsregisteramt). The registration process may vary depending on the canton in which you're registering. You need to register in the canton where your principal business address is located.
8. Obtain Identification Numbers: Once registered, you will receive an identification number from the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung). This number will be used for tax purposes.
How to Register Your Sole Proprietorship or Limited Liability Company in Denmark
Sole Proprietorship (enkeltmandsvirksomhed)
1. Obtain a NEM ID and CPR number, Click here for NEM ID, and Here for CPR
NemID is a personal digital identification system used for various online services in Denmark. You'll need it to register your business.
2. Register Online with the Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen):
Go to the Danish Business Authority's website (www.virk.dk).
Use your NemID to log in or create a profile if you don't have one.
Follow the online instructions to register your sole proprietorship. Provide necessary information about your business.
3. Obtain a Central Business Registration Number (CVR Number):
The Central Business Register (CVR) number is assigned automatically upon successful registration.
4. Register for VAT (if applicable):
If your annual turnover exceeds a certain threshold (currently DKK 50,000), you must register for VAT. You can do this through SKAT (Danish Tax Agency).
Limited Liability Company in Denmark ( (Anpartsselskab or ApS)
1. Articles of Association: Draft the Articles of Association (Vedtægter) detailing the company's purpose, structure, share distribution, and management. The Articles must be notarized.
2. Shareholders and Capital: Determine the initial share capital of the company. The minimum share capital for an ApS is DKK 40,000. Decide on the number of shareholders and their contributions.
3. Notarization of Articles: Have the Articles of Association notarized by a Danish notary.
4. Open a Capital Account: Open a business bank account and deposit the required share capital.
5. Register with the Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen): Register the company online through the Danish Business Authority's website. You will receive a Central Business Register (CVR) number.
6. VAT Registration: If the company's turnover exceeds a certain threshold (currently DKK 50,000), you need to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) with SKAT (the Danish tax authority).
7. Obtain a Corporate Tax Number (CVR Number): Once registered, you will receive a corporate tax number (CVR number) from SKAT.
8. Register for Income Tax and Employer Identification Number (SE Number): If you plan to hire employees, register the company with SKAT for income tax and obtain an employer identification number (SE number).
How to Register Your Sole Proprietorship or Limited Liability Company in Germany
Sole Proprietorship
1. Register with the Local Trade Office (Gewerbeanmeldung): here is the form.
2. Visit the local trade office (Gewerbeamt) in the city where your business will be based. Fill out the Gewerbeanmeldung form, which is the official registration form for starting a business. You'll need to provide personal identification, business name, business address, and a brief description of your business activities.
Take Note:
If you are a Small Business not earning more than 22,000 Euros in the first year and 50,000 Euros in the second year, you can be considered a Kleingewerbe. As a Kleingewerbe, you need not be entered in the commercial register (Handelregisteramt). But you still need to be registered in the trade office (Gewerbeamt)
GmbH / Limited Liability Company
1. Shareholders and Share Capital: GmbHs require at least one shareholder (person or entity). Determine the share capital, which is the minimum amount of capital the company needs to be registered. The minimum share capital is €25,000.
2. Notarize the Articles of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag): Draft the Articles of Association, which include details about the company's structure, management, share distribution, and other important aspects. The document needs to be notarized by a German notary.
3. Open a Bank Account: Open a bank account in the company's name and deposit the share capital. This account will be used to manage the company's finances.
4. Notarize Shareholder Signatures: All shareholders need to sign the notarized Articles of Association. This can be done in person at the notary's office or through a power of attorney.
5. Register with the Commercial Register (Handelsregister): Submit the notarized Articles of Association and other required documents to the local Commercial Register (located at the local district court). Required documents may include a list of managing directors, share capital verification, and more.
How to Register Your Sole Proprietorship or Limited Liability Company in Sweden
In Sweden, a sole proprietorship is known as an "enskild firma."
Here are the steps:
1. Register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket):
To start the registration process, submit a completed registration form for a sole proprietorship (blankett för registrering av enskild näringsverksamhet) to the Swedish Tax Agency. You can submit this form online or by visiting a local tax office. Or click this link