Kommandittanter

Kommandittanter are the limited partners in a kommandittselskap (KS), a form of partnership used in Norway and other Nordic countries. In a KS, there is at least one general partner (komplementar) with unlimited liability and one or more limited partners (kommandittanter) whose liability is limited to their contributed capital. Limited partners typically provide capital and may receive a share of profits according to the partnership agreement. The general partner or partners manage the day-to-day business; limited partners normally do not participate in management to preserve their liability protection. If a limited partner actively participates in management, they may lose their protection and become liable for the partnership’s debts like a general partner.

A KS is formed by a partnership agreement that sets contributions, liability, distribution of profits and losses, and dissolution terms. Taxation in Norway generally treats the KS as a pass-through for profits, with income allocated to the partners and taxed at their level under applicable rules.

Advantages of the structure include the ability to raise capital without surrendering control to external managers, and the liability protection for investors. Disadvantages include limited influence for kommandittanter on corporate decisions and potential regulatory complexity compared with other business forms. The KS is regulated by the relevant Norwegian partnership law and related tax rules, and is most commonly used for investment projects, real estate ventures, or specialized business arrangements where a general partner seeks to mobilize external capital while maintaining managerial control.