Ready-made companies represent an advantageous option for investors interested in starting their business activities in Norway as fast as possible. Our specialists in company formation in Norway can help businessmen purchase shelf companies in this country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Legal entities available for shelf company | Private and public limited liability companies |
Time required for purchasing the company | Approx. one week |
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc) | Legal address, company bank account, director, tax identification number |
| The advantages of a shelf company | Easy to acquire, different types of entities availability, possibility of choosing old companies |
| Appointing new directors (yes/no) | YES |
| Capital increase allowed (yes/no) | YES |
| Certificate of no commercial activities (yes/no) | NO |
| Modify the objects of activity (yes/no) | YES, it is possible to use the company for various purposes for which new licenses are required. |
| Participants in the purchase procedure | The buyer or representative and the seller |
| The cost of buying a shelf company | The price depends on the type of company selected and its age. |
| What is a shelf company? | A pre-registered company that is dormant, with no trading activity or assets. |
Registration age | Shelf companies are often registered months or years before they are purchased. |
Ready for immediate use | Shelf companies are ready for immediate use upon purchase, saving time in registration. |
| Legal status | They have legal status but no trading history or assets. |
| Purpose | Often used for fast-tracking business start-ups or bypassing the lengthy registration process. |
| Acquisition process | Purchased through a transfer of shares or ownership from the seller to the buyer. |
| Ownership | Upon purchase, the buyer becomes the new owner and director of the Norwegian shelf company, assuming full control and liability. |
| Reputation | Older shelf companies with a longer track record may be perceived as more credible by potential business partners and clients. |
| Time savings | Purchasing a shelf company in Norway can save weeks or even months compared to incorporating a new company from scratch. |
| Risk assessment | Buyers should conduct due diligence to ensure the shelf company has no hidden liabilities. |
| Tax implications | Tax implications should be thoroughly assessed with the help of our company formation agents in Norway before purchasing a shelf company. |
| Industry fit | Shelf companies may already be registered within specific industries, aiding market entry. |
| Legal documentation | Buyers must receive all legal documentation related to the shelf company’s registration. |
| Name change | Shelf companies’ names can be changed to reflect the buyer’s brand or preferences. |
| Life of a shelf company | Shelf companies may have a limited shelf life, after which they may need reactivation. |
Table of Contents
Can I buy a shelf company in Norway if I am a foreigner?
Yes, there are no restrictions in this sense. Moreover, such companies are created to be sold to foreign investors seeking to make a quick entry into the Norwegian business market.
What are the legal entities sold as shelf companies in Norway?
Foreign investors who want to acquire ready-made companies can choose the legal form of their business; however, the preferred one remains the private limited liability company, thanks to its multiple uses.
What does a shelf company come with in Norway?
When acquiring a shelf company, you should expect it to come with the following:
- a trading name, however, the company can be renamed;
- the constitutive documents, which must also be amended;
- a tax and VAT number (the VAT number is not mandatory);
- a company bank account, which is one of the greatest advantages, as its opening is the lengthiest procedure;
- a company director who can be replaced upon the amendment of the documents.
How do I choose a Norwegian shelf company for purchase?
When deciding to buy a shelf company in Norway, the most important step is the very choice of this company, according to some criteria:
- the type of the company (limited liability company or partnership);
- the domain of activity;
- how long the history of the company is (start-ups, established, or mature companies).
Here is also an infographic on the shelf company:
Is it safe to purchase a ready-made company instead of starting a business from scratch in Norway?
Yes, it is. The only difference between a ready-made entity and one you register yourself is that the former has been incorporated to have a history. Also, the only due diligence to perform before buying a Norwegian shelf company is to ensure it meets the requirements associated with the activities you intend to perform here.
How do I buy a Norwegian shelf company?
You can look through the catalogues of service providers and choose the one you are interested in. Many sellers have their own websites with quite a lot of information about the companies they sell, so the procedure is quite easy: you choose the entity you want, establish the date of the transfer of shares, and prepare your ID or passport to send it to the provider.
Can I buy a shelf company in Norway remotely?
Yes. In this case, our company formation agents in Norway can represent you, as we have extensive experience in this area. Also, if you want to speed things up, we can then handle the amendments required with the Trade Register.
How long does it take to buy a Norwegian shelf company, and what documents do I need to provide?
The procedure can be completed in 1 – 2 business days, and we will need your ID or passport (as previously mentioned), and a power of attorney.
Are only new companies available for sale in Norway?
No, you can also buy aged companies. These are entities that have been registered for more than 2 years.
We also have a video on this topic below:
What are the changes that I need to make after the purchase of a company in Norway?
The first and most important is amending the Articles of Association with your name as a shareholder. However, if you want to make other changes, as this is possible, we recommend making them all at the same time.
Here are some of these changes:
- the name of the director;
- the legal address;
- the share capital, which can be increased;
- the object of activity.
Once they are made, you must report them to the Trade Registry for compliance purposes.
Please contact us whenever you intend to open a company in Norway through the acquisition of a shelf company. Our company formation experts can offer professional consultancy regarding the choice of the enterprise, and they can help you with the transfer of the property rights so that you can initiate your business activities as soon as possible.