Finland · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Setting up from abroad
- Usual entity for foreign founders
- Oy
- Non-resident can be sole director
- No
Official registry: prh.fi
Board members and the managing director living permanently outside the EEA need a permit from the Patent and Registration Office. Citizenship is explicitly not the test — residence is.
The limited liability company (osakeyhtiö, Oy) is the usual form and has no minimum share capital since 2019. You register jointly with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) and the Tax Administration through the Business Information System (ytj.fi), which issues a Business ID (Y-tunnus).
Companies are registered with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) in the Trade Register, jointly with the Tax Administration via the ytj.fi service; the Oy is the common limited form.
- The Oy (osakeyhtiö) is the standard private limited company.
- Registration via ytj.fi covers both the Trade Register and tax registers.
- A Business ID (Y-tunnus) identifies the company across administration.
- 1
Choose a legal form
The osakeyhtiö (Oy, private limited) is the usual company and needs no minimum share capital since 2019.
- 2
Prepare the founding documents
Draft the memorandum of association and articles of association with the shares, board and auditor (if required).
- 3
Pay any share capital
Pay in the share capital if the founders set one, and keep the payment records.
- 4
Register through the Business Information System (YTJ)
File the start-up notification with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) and the Tax Administration via ytj.fi; you receive a Business ID (Y-tunnus).
- 5
Register for tax
Register for VAT, the prepayment register and the employer register with the Tax Administration as applicable.
- 6
Open a bank account
Open a business bank account for the company’s operations.
- Legal form chosen (usually Oy)
- Memorandum of association + articles of association
- Share capital paid (if the founders set one)
- YTJ start-up notification → PRH + Tax Administration
- Business ID (Y-tunnus)
- VAT / prepayment / employer registers as applicable
- Auditor appointed if thresholds are met
- Business bank account
- Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH)
Trade register and IP office.
- Business Information System (ytj.fi)
Joint business registration service.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Business ID (Y-tunnus)?
The Business ID is the identifier issued by the PRH and Tax Administration, used for invoicing, tax and VAT.
Does an Oy need minimum capital?
No — since 2019 a private limited company (Oy) has no minimum share capital requirement.
Where do I register?
You register once through the Business Information System (ytj.fi), which covers both the Trade Register (PRH) and the Tax Administration.
Government portals
- Suomi.fi — Finnish Public Services — Single portal for state services, official messages and authorisations.
- Vero — Finnish Tax Administration — Tax card, tax number for construction work, and the pre-completed return.
- Migri — Finnish Immigration Service — Residence permits for work and study, the specialist route, and citizenship.
- PRH — Patent and Registration Office — Business registration, trade names, trademarks and the company search.