Starting a business in Finland

Legal Forms of Companies

Toiminimi (The Sole Proprietorship)

Number of partners: 1 partner
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required
Shareholders and liability: Undefined

Osakeyhtiö ou Oy (Private Limited Company)

Number of partners: Minimum 1 person
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.

Julkinen osakeyhtiö, Oyj (Public Limited Company)

Number of partners: Minimum 1 person
Capital (max/min): EUR 80,000
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.

Co-operative

Number of partners: Minimum 3 founders
Capital (max/min): Decided by the founders, no minimum capital. Participation shares must be of equal value.
Shareholders and liability: Undefined

Avoin yhtiö, Ay (General Partnership)

Number of partners: Minimum 2 general partners
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital
Shareholders and liability: General Partner is personally liable and without limitation for the company's debts and obligations.

Kommandiittiyhtiö, Ky (Limited Partnership)

Number of partners: Minimum 1 general partner + 1 limited partner
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital. At least 1 limited partner with financial input.
Shareholders and liability: At least 1 of the general partners is liable for the debts and obligations of the company.

The Competent Organisation

National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR)

Company Directories

NBPR, Finnish Patents and Registration Office

Source: Doing Business, 2016