A limited liability company in Finland, also known as osakeyhtiö (Oy), is the most usual form a small or medium-sized company can take. If you are interested in opening a limited liability company in Finland, you are welcome to get in touch with our agents for starting a Finnish company.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| The limited liability company in Finland is also known as | Osakeyhtiö (Oy) |
Types of LLCs | Private and limited |
Authority in charge of registration | Finnish Trade Register |
| Minimum share capital | Not imposed for private LLCs. EUR 80,000 for public LLCs in Finland. |
| Number of shareholders | At least 1 |
| Management structure | – board of directors, – managing director, – general meeting |
| Documents | Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association are the LLC’s official founding documents. Start-up notification for opening an LLC is solicited at the registry. |
| Representative agent required | We recommend the services of our representative agents when forming an LLC in Finland. |
| Tax registration | With the help of our tax agents in Finland. The VAT and the corporate tax rate are the most important. |
| Business license | Required depending on the activities of the LLC in Finland. Commercial and trade licenses are available. |
| Bank account required (YES/NO) | YES |
| Corporate tax in Finland | 20% |
| Start-up grants available in Finland (YES/NO) | YES |
| Best cities for doing business in Finland | – Helsinki (the capital), – Espoo, – Tampere, – Turku, etc. |
| Working with our Finnish agents | We assist local and overseas investors in opening an LLC in Finland by managing the procedures. Our clients can be represented with a power of attorney for business formation, without traveling to this country. |
Table of Contents
Who can start an LLC in Finland? Are there any nationality restrictions?
Any businessman from any country in the world can start a limited liability company in Finland.
What types of LLCs are available in Finland?
Private and limited OY.
What is the minimum share capital for an OY in Finland?
- Not imposed for private LLCs.
- EUR 80,000 for public LLCs.
How many shareholders can form an LLC in Finland?
At least one.
Is there an age condition to open an LLC in Finland?
Yes, 18. The same condition is available for company directors/managers who must be at least 18 years old.
Where can I register an OY in Finland?
At the Finnish Trade Register.
Are there any name requirements?
- any LLC must finish its firm name with either the letters “Oy” or “LLC”,
- applicants must verify and reserve the business name first.
Consult with our company formation consultants on this topic, and also check the following infographic:
What are the required documents to set up an OY in Finland?
- Articles and Memorandum of Association,
- regulatory compliance declaration from the board members & managing director,
- proof of paid capital in the case of public LLCs in Finland,
- valid IDs/Passports of shareholders & company managers,
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO),
- proof of registered business address in Finland, etc.
NOTE! If you appoint a local representative in charge of company documents, a power of attorney will be required.
What other formalities are imposed for LLC formation in Finland in 2026?
- register for taxation with the Business Information System (YTJ) in Finland,
- apply for a business license with SUOMI, the official business license portal,
- open a bank account in Finland,
- register with the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.
Would you like to start a limited company in another country, such as Germany? You should know that the time frame for the incorporation is approx. 5 weeks, and the minimum number of shareholders is 1. BridgeWest Germany has an experienced team of company formation agents and can assist you in this matter.
Here is a video presentation we have prepared on this subject:
What is the time frame to register an LLC in Finland?
About 3 days for online LLC incorporation in Finland.
What are the costs for LLC formation in Finland?
- around EUR 370 as standard registration,
- around EUR 100 for opening a business bank account,
- around EUR 300 for drafting documents, etc.
NOTE! You will also have to consider the fees for company formation services in Finland, provided by our local team.
What are the benefits of an OY in Finland?
- 100% Foreign Ownership – foreigners are permitted to hold all shares in an LLC in Finland;
- limited liability – the owner’s liability is limited to the value of the shares he/she owns;
- one member/manager – to incorporate an LLC, just one member (who may be a foreign national) is needed, and he/she may also serve as the only manager;
- no minimum share capital since 2019 for private OY;
- no language barrier – although it is not the official language of Finland, many Finnish individuals speak English. This factor can help reduce the language barrier to a large extent.
Interested in company incorporation in Finland? You can rely on the services offered by our Finnish experts. Please contact us for further details about starting a limited liability company in Finland.