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Starting and registering a cooperative (SA)

When starting a cooperative, you must first choose a name and found the organisation. The cooperative must then be registered.
Last updated 18.03.2025

Conditions for starting a cooperative:

  • Cooperatives must be established by at least two people. Both natural and legal persons (e.g. another cooperative or an association) can be founders.
  • You must be aged 18 or over in order to be a founder or fulfil another role in a cooperative.
  • 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 Norwegian Co-operative Organisation on cooperatives (in Norwegian only)

Establishing and registering a cooperative

How to register a cooperative when those who are to perform roles in the cooperative have a Norwegian national ID number or D-number:

  1. Establish the cooperative by drawing up and signing a memorandum of association and articles of association.
Example of memorandum of association for co-operatives (in Norwegian only)
  • If the founders are to pay a contribution to the cooperative, you should ask the bank to set up an account for a cooperative under foundation. Pay in the contribution and ask for confirmation from the bank. (If the contribution is to consist of non-cash assets (non-cash contribution), an opening balance signed by the founders must be prepared).
  • Register the cooperative using the form entitled 'Coordinated register notification'. Enclose the memorandum of association, articles of association and any confirmation from your bank. (If any contributions are to be made which consist of non-cash assets, the opening balance and a declaration from an auditor concerning the asset must be enclosed.)
    • Register a cooperative (SA) (Form Coordinated Register Notification) (in Norwegian only)
  • If the cooperative is to have an auditor, the auditor must electronically sign the notification. 
  • Send the notification for signing. You will then receive a notification for signing in your Altinn 'inbox', which you will use in order to sign the form.

    • You will be notified when the cooperative has been registered via your 'Inbox' in Altinn.

    If someone who is to have a role in the company do not have a Norwegian national ID number or d-number

    How to register a cooperative when some of those who are to perform a role in the enterprise do not have a Norwegian national ID number or d-number
    1. Establish the cooperative by drawing up and signing a memorandum of association and articles of association.
    Example of memorandum of association for co-operatives (in Norwegian only)
  • If the founders are to pay a contribution to the cooperative, you should ask the bank to set up an account for a cooperative under foundation. Pay in the contribution and ask for confirmation from the bank or an auditor. (If the contribution is to consist of non-cash assets (non-cash contribution), an opening balance and a statement signed by the founders must be prepared).
  • Register the cooperative by completing the paper form for registering a cooperative (Coordinated register notification – Main form) and applications for d-numbers (one form for each person who requires a d-number because they are to perform a role in the cooperative). Enclose the memorandum of association, articles of association, a certified copy of valid identification and any confirmation from your bank. (If any contributions are to be made which consist of non-cash assets, an opening balance and a declaration from an auditor concerning the asset must be enclosed.)
    • Coordinated register notification – Main form
    • The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Application for a d-number
  • If the cooperative is to have an auditor, the auditor must sign the form or add the original confirmation of undertaking from the auditor.
  • Send the forms to the postal address printed on the form "Coordinated register notification".

    • You will be notified once the registration process is complete.

     

    The Brønnøysund Register Centre – How to register a co-operative

    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. Terms and requirements for such a permit can be found on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) website.

    Directorate of Immigration – apply for a residence permit

    Naming a cooperative

    Cooperatives must have the form of incorporation 'samvirkeforetak' or the abbreviation 'SA' at the end of the company name. Read more about choosing names (domain names, business names and trademarks).

    Deadline for registration

    Notification of registration of the cooperative must be received by the Register of Business Enterprises no later than three months after the cooperative is founded. The cooperative is founded when the last founder has signed the memorandum of association. The company cannot take on obligations until it has been registered.

    How long does it take?

    The Brønnøysund Register Centre's case processing times vary through the year.

    The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Expected processing time

    How much does it cost?

    Registering a cooperative costs NOK 6,500 when registering electronically in Altinn, or NOK 7,653 when registering using the paper form.

    When the registration has been processed, the cooperative will be assigned an organisation number.

    The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Fees for registration

    Registering an existing cooperative

    A cooperative registered in an EU/EEA country can relocate its head office to another EU/EEA country without having to dissolve and re-register.