Hjemsted

Hjemsted is a term used in Norwegian and Danish to denote the place that is legally regarded as a person’s or an organization’s home for the purposes of law and administration. For individuals, it refers to the place where a person is considered resident for legal purposes, which can determine applicable taxation, jurisdiction, and social rights. Hjemsted is typically distinguished from everyday addresses and from temporary or habitual residence, and its exact meaning can vary by national law and over time.

In many contexts, hjemsted is closely related to, but not identical with, bosted (permanent residence) or folkeregisteradresse (registered address). The criteria used to establish a person’s hjemsted may include ties such as where the individual spends most of their time, where their family resides, where they work, and where there is an intention to remain. The concept is important in private international law, taxation, and social security because it helps determine which country’s rules apply in cross-border situations.

For corporations and organizations, hjemsted denotes the legal domicile or seat of the entity—the jurisdiction under which it is registered and by which it is governed. This affects corporate law, taxation, and regulatory oversight, and may correspond to terms such as registered office or seat of the company in different jurisdictions.

Historically and in genealogical sources, hjemsted can also indicate the origin or home region of a person or family, not solely the current residence. The term derives from the combined meaning of home (hjem) and place (sted), and in multilingual contexts it is often translated as domicile, home residence, or registered office depending on the legal framework.