Setting up a company in Norway implies various procedures. One of the most important is filing for specific business permits and licenses, if the sector to operate in requires it.
Our specialists in company formation can provide concise and updated information on the Norwegian licensing policies for businesses and enterprises in various domains.
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Types of business licenses in Norway
Licensing is usually the last one in the company registration procedure in Norway. The permits a local enterprise must obtain are divided into:
- general ones, which are issued at municipal level and are released for using the premises for certain activities and for complying with various local rules (fire safety, waste management, etc.);
- industry-related or special licenses, which are issued at the government level through specific authorities or ministries.
When you decide to open a company in Norway, you can consult our local specialists in relation to the need to obtain special business permits or licenses.
Who must apply for a business license in Norway?
Filing for a Norwegian business permit is mandatory, no matter the legal form you operate. As such, when working as a sole trader, you may be required to apply for a specific license in accordance with your trade.
Companies must also apply for the necessary licenses based on the activities to undertake. Additionally, in certain industries, the staff must also have specific qualifications or accreditation (such is the case with certain financial undertakings).
Types of special business licenses in Norway
Depending on the profile of your enterprise, you might need to apply to the Norwegian authorities for specific types of business licenses. The Commercial Code stipulates that certain activities, such as the production and commercialization of food or alcohol, require particular permits in order to take place legally on the Norwegian territory.
The following list states the most popular business areas in which Norway requires the obtaining of a license:
- license for restaurants or other food premises;
- gambling license;
- bar license, allowing enterprises to serve alcohol;
- license to operate in the field of oil extraction and processing;
- broadcasting license for radio or television.
Our consultants in company formation in Norway are ready to help you apply for any business license or permit available in Norway. VAT registration in Norway is also available for foreign companies as long as they appoint a local agent. The representative and the company are jointly liable for reporting and paying VAT to the Norwegian authorities. Additionally, the agent is responsible for handling all communications between the company and the Norwegian tax authorities.
How to obtain special licenses in Norway?
Norway is one of the most developed countries in Europe and around the world, with an important word to say in the global economic system. The foreign investors who set up a company in this country might be interested in the local commercial legislation and the requirements concerning the special permits and licenses in Norway.
According to the legislative system in Norway a company can apply for a special license, such as the oil license, only if the enterprise has been open. Since this area is quite popular for foreign investments, the Ministry of Petroleum must evaluate the projects of the company and its future economic and social impact in this country. The license is usually awarded for specific exploitation regions called blocks.
A food license for restaurants, on the other hand, can be applied for at the municipality. Each municipality might have different requirements, so you might need specialized help from one of our experts in company registration in Norway in order to explain you what documents you need to provide within your application.
The food license in Norway
Setting up a company in the hospitality industry in Norway requires a food license. The permit must be obtained by:
- new restaurants and bars;
- companies taking over food establishments;
- hotels where food is served;
- food trucks and other mobile food operators.
In order to obtain this license, the manager must first pass a test from the Food Services Act before filing for the permit. With it, the food establishment can also serve alcoholic drinks.
Licenses for the oil and gas sector in Norway
Oil and gas extraction and production are one of the most prolific economic sectors in Norway. As such, setting up a company in this industry is of interest to many foreign investors. Businesses must obtain special licenses issued by the Ministry of Energy.
There are several types of special licenses to obtain in Norway for such activities, among which we present the most important:
- the exploration license, which grants the owner the right to drill in specific areas that are not larger than 500 square kilometers;
- the production license which enables a company to investigate, carry out exploration drilling, and recover petroleum deposits and has a validity of 6 years;
- the production license can be extended for 30 years over 50% of the approved initial area.
You are invited to contact our specialists in company formation in Norway to clarify all aspects concerning the application for a special business license in this country.