Start a private limited company

You start by creating founding documents and articles of association before you begin the application process with the bank.

Private Limited Company (AS) are a popular choice for many entrepreneurs, and offer greater security by distinguishing your personal finances from the company’s.

With an AS, you only risk the equity you have invested in the company. To start an AS, at least NOK 30,000 in share capital is required.

Characteristics of a limited company

• The company is a separate legal entity, separate from the owners, and can enter into agreements, have rights and obligations of its own.
• Minimum 30,000 share capital
• The shares can be bought and sold, which gives flexibility in ownership.
• The personal financial responsibility is limited to the share capital

When starting a business, you need to consider whether you should set up an ENK or AS. If you are unsure, DNB’s Start-up advisory team help you for free.

Sole proprietorship (ENK) is an organisation in which a natural person is responsible for the business. This means that you have full financial responsibility for the business’s requirements and obligations. You are not obliged to invest money in the company, so you can start with NOK 0 in your account.

Private limited company (AS) is an abbreviation for aksjeselskap (private limited company). The private limited company has some advantages. Vis-à-vis creditors (those who have lent the company money) you’re only liable for the amount you have deposited. As an employee in your own AS you can claim the same social security benefits as other employees.

When you form an AS you need to deposit a minimum of NOK 30,000 in share capital. Compared to an ENK, AS has slightly stricter accounting requirements. An AS must also have a board of directors with at least one member.

There are also several other company types, such as general partnership with shared liability (DA), general partnership with joint and several liability (ANS) and foundations. Read about other types of companies here.

If you want to compare AS and ENK, we’ve put everything together on one page. You’ll also find information about holding companies here. Read more about AS, ENK and holding companies here.

You can easily set up a new business and become a business customer in DNB at the same time. We handle all the paperwork with the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Note: this only applies if you:

• Is a natural person who is going to set up a company
• Only have standard/minimum articles of association
• Do not need A/B shares
• Has BankID (all owners must be able to eSign)
• Has an address in Norway
• Do not need the company to have ownership of other companies

You need to fulfil all of these in order to use our fully digital solution, if not you need to start the process at Altinn. You can still apply with us, but then we need the founding documents. Select "Start application with foundation documents" further up on the page.

To check the status, or to update your application, you can click on «Check status or update application» further up on this page. Log in with BankID to retrieve existing applications.

Here you can also update the application.

Yes, it is possible to start an AS and become a corporate customer at DNB without BankID. Although we recommend using BankID for a quicker and more seamless process, you can also apply without it. Click here to fill out the form.

Please note that you will not receive the product package at a fixed price of 149 per month.

As of 2024 (earning year 2023), all the completion and submission of the tax return/company return and business specification for companies must be done through an accounting or annual accounts system.

Read more about accounting software here

you’ll find the current prices, terms and agreements for our products and services here.