Six introductory and informational videos in English about starting your own business have been created by Etablerertjenesten Søndre Østfold, a local business advisory service in Søndre Østfold; Etablererveiledningstjenesten Ringeriksregionen, the business advisory service for the Ringerike region; Sirius Act; and Søndre Østfold IPR—a regional political cooperation body representing the municipalities of Aremark, Fredrikstad, Halden, Hvaler, and Sarpsborg. In these videos, published on the Fredrikstad Municipality YouTube channel, Per Erik Henriksen and Uno Dahl Henriksen guide you through the key steps to starting your own business.

Many experience that finding a job in Norway can be challenging, so starting your own business can be a good alternative. The videos are intended to provide basic information, and they include links, books, and tips on where to find more details. The Establishment Service operates in Søndre Østfold and Ringerike, so residents in these areas can contact Uno Dahl Henriksen directly for personalized guidance.

Why start your business in Norway

Starting your own business can be an exciting alternative to finding a job in Norway, and it comes with plenty of perks. The biggest advantage? You get to work in a field you’re passionate about and steer your career in the direction you want. If there isn’t a job available for what you want to do, creating one yourself is a great option. Along the way, you will gain valuable experience and skills by securing assignments as a consultant. These are some of the tips shared in the video below, including one of the best pieces of advice: becoming your own boss.

If you’re a job seeker and finding it difficult to land a job, starting your own business could help you gain the experience needed to get the full-time role you want. Your business doesn’t have to be a long-term plan—it can simply be a way to keep your CV fresh and show that you’re staying active. For more information on job seeking, see the article on building a career in Norway.

Mindset, motivation and skills

Being self-employed can be challenging because you have full responsibility. While some people find that liberating and enjoy taking control, it can feel daunting to navigate the journey alone—especially if you’re opening a sole proprietorship, or Enkeltpersonforetak in Norwegian.

That full responsibility, however, can also be an advantage. It gives you the freedom to do things your way and test out your ideas. Of course, there will be parts you might not enjoy, like accounting. Fortunately, in Norway, it’s relatively easy to handle taxes with the help of the tax services (Skatteetaten), and there are plenty of software and applications available for invoicing that make the process even smoother.

As in any job you get, being self-employed requires building your brand, networking and openness to different opportunities.

Test your product or service in the market

Don’t rush to invest in branding your business idea until you’ve tested it. Start by working and assessing whether there’s a demand for your services. Once you’ve seen success and confirmed that your idea works, you can begin investing in your online presence, like creating a website and logo.

The video below summarizes the key elements for testing how your services fit in the market, including a helpful business model canvas. One of the most important aspects is the Value Proposition i.e., what you bring to the table and what sets you apart.

Laws and regulations

If you’re new here, tax and accounting can feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Fortunately, Norway has a well-regulated system, and the Norwegian Tax Service (Skatteetaten) even offers courses on starting your own company and understanding how to pay taxes. If you find it challenging, consulting an accountant or seeking professional help is a good idea.

Just remember, even if you hire someone to handle your taxes, you’re still the one responsible in the end.

Let’s get started

There are two main types of businesses in Norway: sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak) and joint-stock companies (aksjeselskap, AS). You can find more information on Altinn to help determine which type of company suits your needs best. Watch the video to learn how to register your company and get started with your own business in Norway.

There are several steps to starting your own business, but most importantly, in Norway, all the necessary information is easily accessible in English. This means you can find and learn everything you need to get started. Good luck!