Recruitment in Norway is not regulated by a specific law. It functions based on the employer’s preferences and needs. There are certain differences thatappear between the private and public sectors in matters regarding employment. The vast majority of companies in Norway rely on recruitment companies as well as persons who look for work. So you might find a welcoming market in Norway if you intend to open a recruitment company. For the registration process and accurate information on the company incorporation regulations, you can rely on our company formation experts in Norway.
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Steps to open a staffing agency in Norway
If you decide to open a Norwegian company as a recruitment company , you must know that new licensing regulations apply. They are valid for agencies that hire workers and then subcontract them to clients. This means that the registration procedure has also suffered minor changes. The steps to open such a business now imply:
- registering the desired type of entity (we recommend the private limited liability company);
- applying for a tax identification number and VAT registration;
- obtaining an occupational injury insurance;
- registering with the Employees and Employers Registrar;
- filing for a recruitment license.
Our Norwegian company formation specialists can offer detailed information on the new licensing requirements. We can also guide you in drafting the paperwork for obtaining it.
Documents required for obtaining a recruitment license in Norway
Here are the papers to prepare when filing for a Norwegian recruitment permit:
- the documentation related to the company’s internal safety regulations;
- several specimens of employment contract types;
- proof of the valid occupational injury insurance;
- the policies related to ensuring equal treatment, fair pay, and good working conditions for employees.
Recruitment agencies that are not registered as private or public companies must also submit a bank guarantee letter. The same requirement applies to EEA-based staffing enterprises that want to operate in Norway. With respect to non-EU/EEA businesses, they must also submit their Registration Certificates.
Our local agents can also help you expand a recruitment company by setting up a subsidiary in Norway.
The safety representative
Another important change covered by the Working Environment Act is the appointment of a safety representative when operating a recruitment company in Norway. Here are the main conditions applicable:
- a safety agent is required if the agency has 5 or more employees;
- if it has fewer than 5 employees, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority allows the agency to hire an external agent;
- also, if the company has at least 30 employees, it must create a working environment committee.
The name and phone number of the safety agent must be submitted with the Labor Inspection Authority upon filing for the Norwegian recruitment license. In the case of companies making other arrangements (those with fewer than 5 employees), the contract signed by all employees must be appended to the application.
Our Norwegian company registration consultants can offer more information on these new requirements associated with safety regulations.
The activities of a recruitment company in Norway
In Norway, most of the public companies work in collaboration with recruitment companies in order to secure employment for the vacant places in the enterprise. In the public sector, the law requires that the open positions be announced and a competition be organized, according to specific requirements.
The private sector is the area in which recruitment companies are most needed. The company has the obligation to launch a public application, and therefore, a recruitment company can interview people so that the requirements of the employer to be satisfied. The employer can freely choose the people who are going to work in the company, as long as the discrimination laws are not infringed.
The recruitment company must be able to elaborate and sign the work contract for temporary or permanent positions in a company, as well as for internships or substitutes. One of our company formation agents in Norway can help you familiarize with the legal provisions concerning work contracts and employment in this country so that you can open a professional recruitment company in this country.
Advice on setting up a recruitment company in Norway
One of the basic steps in opening a recruitment company in Norway is to decide in what industry niche you intend to specialize (for example IT or medical services) and to develop a focused business plan. There are several recruitment services that you could offer, so you should see how many of these you will be able to provide to your clients.
Another important aspect is to find a location for your recruitment enterprise in Norway so that you can have enough visibility. Don’t start the business registration before informing yourself about the particularities of the Norwegian Company Law. Our Norwegian company registration agents can be your guide in the business legislation in this country and can help you obtain the required licenses for your field.
Feel free to contact our company formation agents in Norway so that you can take advantage of our professional company registration services and speed up the set-up of your recruitment company in this country.