Starting and registering a general partnership (ANS/DA)
When you set up a general partnership, you must choose a business name and prepare a partnership agreement. The partnership must then be registered.
Conditions for starting a general partnership (ANS/DA):
- A general partnership must have at least two partners. Both natural and legal persons (e.g. a private limited company or an association) can be partners.
- You must be aged 18 or over in order to be a partner or hold another role in a general partnership.
- The company must have a Norwegian business address (i.e. a Norwegian physical address which is stated in the format: street/road, house number, postcode and postal town. Postbox addresses will not be accepted).
The Partnerships Act on general partnerships (in Norwegian only)
Starting and registering a general partnership (ANS/DA)
How to found and register a general partnership when those who are to perform roles in the enterprise have a Norwegian national ID number or d-number:
- Found the partnership by preparing, dating and signing a partnership agreement.
Template of Partnership agreement, joint liability (ANS) (in Norwegian only)
- Any contributions which the partners are to make to the partnership must be stated in the partnership agreement.
- Register the partnership using the form entitled 'Coordinated register notification'. Attach the partnership agreement. (If the partnership is to appoint a board of directors and/or an auditor, you must also attach minutes from the partners' meeting where the appointments were made.
- Send the notification for signing. Everyone who is to perform a role in the partnership must electronically sign the notification(Does not apply to the general manager and contact person).
Registering a general partnership costs NOK 2,656 in the case of electronic registration.
When the registration has been processed, the company will be assigned an organisation number. You will be notified when the partnership has been registered via your "Inbox " in Altinn.
If some of you do not have a Norwegian national ID number or d-number:
- Found the partnership by preparing, dating and signing a partnership agreement.
Template of Partnership agreement, joint liability (ANS) (in Norwegian only)
Template of Partnership agreement, several liability (or proportionate liability, DA) (in Norwegian only) - Any contributions which the partners are to make to the partnership must be stated in the partnership agreement.
- Register the partnership by completing the paper form for registering a general partnership (Coordinated register notification – Main form) "Application for d-number" (one form for each person who requires a d-number because they will perform a role in the partnership). Attach the partnership agreement and a certified copy of valid identification. (If the partnership is to have a board of directors and/or an auditor, you must also attach minutes from the partners' meeting where the appointments were made, and confirmation from the auditor (letter of undertaking)). The partners, or possibly the board if the partnership has a board, must sign the Coordinated register notification and the signatures must be original.
Coordinated register notification – Main form
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Application for a d-number
- Send the forms to the postal address printed on the "Coordinated register notification – Main form".
Registering a general partnership using the paper form costs NOK 3,205 (one-off fee from the Register of Business Enterprises).
Upon registration, the company will be assigned an organisation number.
You will be notified once the registration process is complete.
Partnerships Act on partnership agreements and obligations (in Norwegian only)
The Brønnøysund Register Centre on registering general partnership (ANS/DA)
Foreign citizen
If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, and are planning to run a business in Norway, you need to have a residence permit that will allow you to work here. You can find information about the terms and requirements for resident permit on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) website.
Directorate of Immigration – apply for a residence permit
Naming a general partnership (ANS/DA)
General partnerships with joint and several liability (ANS) must have the form of incorporation 'ansvarlig selskap' or the abbreviation 'ANS' at the end of the business name. General partnerships with shared liability (DA) must have the form of incorporation 'delt ansvar' or the abbreviation 'DA' at the end of their business name.
Read more about choosing names (domain names, business names and trademarks).
How long does it take?
The Brønnøysund Register Centre's case processing times vary through the year.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Expected processing time
Partner agreement
The combination of personal liability and the fact that partners make decisions jointly can lead to disputes between partners. It can therefore be a good idea to establish a partner agreement between the partners. This is not required by law.
Running a general partnership
Once you have registered a general partnership, you should familiarise yourself with the rules for running a partnership of this kind.
Switching from ANS to DA or vice versa
You can switch from a general partnership with joint and several liability (ANS) to a general partnership with shared liability (DA) or vice versa without changing the partnership's organisation number.
