Register a private limited company (Oy) in Finland
Establish an Oy through the Business Information System (BIS/YTJ). Since 2019 no minimum share capital is required, so the main steps are drafting the deed and registering with the Patent and Registration Office.
- Timeline
- A few days to a couple of weeks
- Cost
- Registration fee (lower online); no minimum capital required
- Steps
- 6 stages
Deadline — read this first
Register before starting business; beneficial owners reported after registration.
Who can file
Founders with Finnish e-identification, or an agent acting for foreign founders.
Step by step
- 1
Draft the memorandum of association
Prepare the perustamissopimus with the articles of association, shares and directors.
- 2
Arrange share capital if any
No minimum is required, but any agreed capital must be paid before registration.
- 3
File in the BIS/YTJ portal
Submit the start-up notification to the Trade Register and tax administration in one online filing.
- 4
Obtain the Business ID
Receive the Business ID (Y-tunnus) confirming registration.
- 5
Register for tax
Enrol in the prepayment, VAT and employer registers as relevant.
- 6
Report beneficial owners
File beneficial-ownership details with the Trade Register.
Documents you must produce
- Memorandum of association
- Articles of association
- Details of shareholders and directors
- Any proof of paid share capital
- Beneficial-ownership details
Common mistakes that sink cases
- Assuming a minimum capital is still required after the 2019 reform.
- Overlooking the separate VAT and employer registrations.
- Not filing beneficial-ownership information.
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