Starting and registering an association
When you start an association, you must choose a name, draw up articles of association and found the association. The association can then be registered.
Conditions for starting an association:
- Associations must have at least two founders.
- Both natural persons and entities (e.g. private limited companies or other associations) can be founders.
Founding and registering an association
To order to register an association, you must fill in the form entitled 'Coordinated register notification'. The form is submitted online in Altinn.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Establish a public limited company
An association is normally founded by producing a Memorandum of Association. If the association wish to have an organisation number it must be registered in the Register of Legal Entities.
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Register a club or an association
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Memorandum of association
The Brønnøysund Register Centre – Simplified form for associations
Guideline to Coordinated register notification – simplified form for associations
When your association has been registered electronically, you will be notified via your 'Inbox' in Altinn.
Naming an association
There are no specific requirements regarding the names of associations. You can check if the intended name is available by doing a search on the website Namesearch.
Check that the name is available at navnesok.no
Register of Norwegian NGOs, grassroots share and VAT reimbursement
Associations that carry on voluntary activity can also opt to register in the Register of Norwegian NGOs (Frivillighetsregisteret). To participate in various grant schemes, including the grassroots share, voluntary organisations are required to register in the Register of Norwegian NGOs. Voluntary organisations registered in the Register of Norwegian NGOs can also apply for VAT reimbursement if requirements in regulations relating to compensation for NGOs are satisfied.
The grassroots share is a scheme whereby anyone who plays Norsk Tipping's games can request that a share of their stake be donated to a particular voluntary organisation. It is a condition that the organisation only carries on voluntary activity at local or regional level.
The VAT reimbursement scheme is a subsidy scheme where voluntary organisations can apply for reimbursement for VAT which they have paid on purchases of goods and services. The Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority is responsible for the scheme.
Registration in the Register of Norwegian NGOs can be done when registering the association or later.
The Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority on VAT reimbursement (in Norwegian only)
Norsk Tipping on the grass roots share (in Norwegian only)
The Norwegian Tax Administration on VAT for charitable and benevolent organisations
The Norwegian Tax Administration on tax for voluntary and non-profit organisations
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 in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities and the Register of Norwegian NGOs is free. Upon registration in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities, the association will be assigned an organisation number.
Associations that carry on commercial activity must be registered in the Register of Business Enterprises. Registering in the Register of Business Enterprises costs NOK 2,656 for electronic registration and NOK 3,205 for registration using the paper form.
