Selskaper

Selskaper is the plural form of the Norwegian word selskap, meaning a company, corporation, or association. In a legal sense, et selskap denotes a business entity with its own separate legal personality, capable of owning property, entering contracts, and suing or being sued. Selskaper are formed to conduct commercial activities, manage risk, and organize ownership and governance.

Common forms in Norway include several corporate and non-corporate structures. Aksjeselskap (AS) is a limited liability company where owners’ liability is limited to contributed capital; the minimum share capital is 30,000 NOK. Allmennaksjeselskap (ASA) is a public limited company, whose shares may be offered to the public and which operates under stricter governance and reporting rules; the minimum capital is higher, typically around 1,000,000 NOK. Ansvarlig selskap (ANS) and selskap med delt ansvar (DA) are partnerships in which owners have joint and often unlimited liability for the company’s obligations. Enkeltpersonforetak (ENK) is a sole proprietorship with no separate legal personality, where the owner bears personal liability. Stiftelser are foundations tied to a non-profit or charitable purpose and do not have owners in the usual sense.

Formation and regulation typically involve registration with the Brønnøysund Register Centre, specifically the Foretaksregisteret (the business register). Selskaper are subject to annual reporting, accounting obligations, and, for larger entities, auditing. Taxation includes corporate income tax on profits, and value-added tax (VAT) registration where applicable. The term selskaper is also used more broadly to refer to companies or corporate groups in economic and business contexts, and its usage spans across Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish contexts with related terms.