Obligatory and voluntary registers
When running a business there are a number of different registers in which you either can, or must, register.
Here is an overview of some of these:
Register of Legal Entities
The Register of Legal Entities is a national register which allocates a nine-digit organisation number to all entities that are registered. Private limited companies, co-operatives and general partnerships are amongst the entities which are obliged to register in the Register of Legal Entities. Associations and sole proprietorships are entitled to register in the Register of Legal Enterprises. Registration in the Entity Register is a condition for registration in a number of other registers, including the Register of Business Enterprises, the NAV Aa Register and the Value Added Tax Register. To find out whether a business is registered, you search key information at the Brønnøysund registers.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – About the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (CCR)
Register of Business Enterprises
The Register of Business Enterprises is responsible for registering Norwegian and foreign enterprises which operate commercially in Norway or on the Norwegian continental shelf. Private limited companies, cooperatives and general partnerships are among the businesses that must be registered in the Register of Business Enterprises. As a general rule, sole proprietorships do not need to register in the Register of Business Enterprises. Registration in the Register of Business Enterprises affords protection for the enterprise's name. Most information in the Register of Business Enterprises is public information. In order to find out whether an enterprise is registered in the Register of Business Enterprises you can use the search area "Find business/entity" at Brreg.no. Registration in the Register of Business Enterprises will be specified under special information.
The Register of Business Enterprises (in Norwegian only)
Search the Brønnøysund Register Centre (in Norwegian only)
Compulsory registration in the Register of Business Enterprises
The Employer and Employee Register (NAV Aa Register)
The Register of Employers and Employees contains information on employments. Employers and contractors are obliged to report monthly on their employees and freelancers every by submitting an a-melding. Registration in the Aa-register is done by submitting the A-melding. Employers and contractors must register in the Register of Legal Entities before they can submit an A-melding. The register is used by most public authorities.
State Register of Employers and Employees (Aa-registeret)
The Value Added Tax Register
A register for businesses liable to VAT. To find out whether an enterprise is registered in the Value Added Tax Register, you can search for the company name or organisation number in the search area "Find business/entity" at Brreg.no. If the enterprise is registered for VAT, Registration in the Value Added Tax Register will be specified under special information (Særlige opplysninger).
The Norwegian Tax Administration — Registration in the Value Added Tax Register
Search the Brønnøysund Register Centre (in Norwegian only)
Register of approved cleaning enterprises
Anyone who provides cleaning services to any extent must have official approval from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority to provide such services. It is illegal to purchase cleaning services from enterprises which are not registered in the Register of approved cleaning enterprises. You can search the register to find out whether an enterprise is approved as a cleaning enterprise. All approved cleaning enterprises must each year, no later than January 31, notify the Labour Inspection Authority that they still meet the requirements for approval.
The Register of approved cleaning enterprises (in Norwegian only)
The Labour Inspection Authority – find approved cleaning companies in your area (in Norwegian only)
Annual notification for Authorised cleaning undertakings
Car wash, tire change and the tire hotel register
All businesses that offer car care, wheel changing and wheel storage must have public approval. The purchase of such services from a business that is not approved is illegal. You can search for approved companies at the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority. Every year, all approved car care businesses must send a notification to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority confirming that the business still meets the requirements for approval.
Apply for authorisation for manual car care, wheel change and wheel storage
Register for of staffing enterprises
All staffing enterprises that hire out labour in Norway must have authorisation from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. Hiring personnel form staffing enterprises without authorisation is prohibited. You can find more information about when you need to apply for authorisation on the Labour Inspection Authority´s website, where you can also search for staffing agencies with authorisation.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority – Apply for authorisation of a staffing enterprise
The Register of Non-Profit Organisations
In order to be registered in the Register of Non-Profit Organisations, you must carry on voluntary activity and be registered as an association, foundation or private limited company. In order to apply for VAT compensation or participate in the Grassroots scheme, the business must be registered in the Voluntary Register. To find out whether an enterprise is registered in the Register of Non-Profit Organisations, you can use the search area "Find business/entity" at Brreg.no. Registration in the Register of Non-Profit Organisations will be specified under special information.
The Voluntary Register of Complementary Practitioners
Persons engaging in complementary and alternative treatments covered by the Act relating to the alternative treatment of disease, illness, etc., and are a member of an approved organisation of practitioners, can register in the Voluntary Register of Complementary Practitioners. The purpose of the register is to provide patient protection and ensure consumer rights for those who seek alternative treatments with registered practitioners.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre - the Voluntary Register of Complementary Practitioners
