Landing your dream job in Norway can take some time, so starting on your own can be a good alternative. The greatest advantage to starting your own business is that you can pursue your ambitions while getting to know people in your field and the business landscape.

If you’re a job seeker and finding it difficult to land a job, starting your own consulting business could help you gain the experience needed to get the full-time role you want. It will keep your CV fresh and and potentially be a stepping stone to a full-time job. For more information on job seeking, see the resources below on building a career in Norway.

For information on starting a business, take a look at these videos by municipalities just outside of Oslo:
Fredrikstad Municipality YouTube channel
Etablerertjenesten Søndre Østfold
Etablererveiledningstjenesten Ringeriksregionen
Sirius Act
Søndre Østfold IPR

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!