Information about Servicekontoret for næringslivet

The Agency coordinates information from a wide range of governmental sources and offers tailored information material for the needs of start-ups within different industries.

Free introductory course 
We arrange free introductory business start-up course in English language on how to start a business in Norway several times throughout the year at our offices in Tollbugaten 27.  This course provides an introduction to the most important aspects of setting up a business in Norway covering a wide range of subjects:

• How to register a company in Norway?
• Deciding on how to choose the right corporate form
• Reporting and tax obligations
• The most important TAX and VAT issues
• How to manage your own business?
• How to prepare a business plan? 
• Smart things to know about Norwegian business culture before you start

Course dates Winter/Spring 2012 and how to register

Brochures in English
Servicekontoret for næringslivet has developed several brochures on topics that are relevant for entrepreneurs. Among our most popular brochures are the introductions on how to establish and run the three most common company types; enkeltpersonforetak (sole proprietorship), ansvarlig selskap (general partnership) and aksjeselskap (limited company). These brochures can be downloaded in pdf-format or ordered from Servicekontoret for næringslivet.

Contact information
We also provide other types of free business support. You can contact us either by phone 23 46 00 10, email servicekontoret@nae.oslo.kommune.no or by visiting our Visitor's Centre at Tollbugt. 27 in order to get more information and assistance. Næringsetaten is open for visitors from 08.30 am to 15.35 pm every weekday. 

External resources in English

The following is a list of external resources that are relevant for people who want to start their own business in Norway.

• ALTINN company information - Governmental information service for entrepreneurs. ALTINN (previously called Bedin) recently published the brochure Starting your own business - an introduction to different aspects of Norwegian regulations.
• Establishing a business in Norway. This brochure published by Oslo Technopole is useful if you plan to start a general partnership or a limited company in Norway. 
• The Brønnøysund Register Centre (Brønnøysundregistrene) - This web site contains information from the Brønnøysund Registers, where businesses have to register in order to get an organisation number.   
• National Insurance Office (NAV) - This web site contains a list of information material in English available from the National Insurance Office. 
• Guide to Value Added Tax in Norway - a brochure published by Skatteetaten (the Norwegian Tax Administration) 
• The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet). This web site contains information about laws and regulations regarding your responsibilities as an employer. 
• www.regjeringen.no -  Information from the government and the ministries. This web site presents the Norwegian government and provides links to the ministries’ English web sites. 
• www.norway.no.Your gateway to the Norwegian public sector. Covers topics such as Moving to Norway, Living in Norway and Working in Norway.