Set Up a Liaison Office in Finland: Representative Office

The business of foreign entrepreneurs can develop with the help of a liaison office in Finland. If you want to start a business in Finland and establish your presence here, you should discuss it with one of our local specialists. Please access our online services and send your inquiries today.

Quick Facts
The purpose of a liaison office in Finland	For advertising and promoting the activities of a foreign company in Finland, for contracting potential local collaborators and partners
How is the liaison office known in Finland?	Representative office
How can a representative office be registered in Finland?	By presenting the documents of the foreign company: – Articles of Association, – Certificate of Incorporation. Other standard forms might be solicited to be filled out.
Can a liaison office in Finland have commercial activities? (YES/NO)	NO
Contracting potential clients and partners (YES/NO)	YES
Local agent required (YES/NO)	YES
Attributes of a liaison officer	– promoting the business activities of the foreign company, – getting in touch with local clients, – developing market research, – communicating with the company from overseas
Bank account for a liaison office in Finland	Recommended for the expenses of the liaison office in Finland
Allowed to invoice local customers	Not available
The institution that authorizes the liaison office in Finland	Finnish Trade Register
The costs of opening a representative office in Finland	Supported by the overseas company represented in Finland
Travel requirements	Not mandatory, but recommended
Business advertising through a liaison office in Finland	The goods, services, and activities of a foreign company can be advertised in Finland through a representative office.
Time frame for opening a liaison office in Finland	A few days or months, depending on the paperwork and formalities
Why choose our company formation agents in Finland?	We can offer: – support in preparing the documents for opening a liaison office in Finland, – assistance with the relevant registration authorities, – complete services at affordable costs.
Time frame to open a representative office in Finland	Around 4 weeks
Rental contract required (YES/NO)	YES
Duration of a liaison office in Finland	Can be determined by the foreign company
Feasibility studies permitted (YES/NO)	YES
Formal management body	Not required
Research and product development	Allowed with a representative office in Finland
Legal representative for a non-EEA parent company	Must have residence in Finland
Producing goods and providing services in Finland through a liaison office (YES/NO)	NO
Local address requirement	A Finnish liaison office must have a registered address.
Restricted activities	– direct sales of services and products, – signing contracts, – investments, – import and export, etc.
Mediating conflicts	The responsibility of the liaison officer in Finland
Justifying the expenses of the representative office in Finland	With invoices
Borrowing or lending money through a liaison office in Finland	Not permitted
Related costs after registration of a representative office in Finland	– rent, – utilities, – equipment, – employees salaries, – office supplies, etc.
Advantages of a liaison office in Finland	– excellent choice for business advertising, – simple formalities, – no taxation, – fast incorporation

Who can set up a liaison office in Finland?

Any foreign entrepreneur who wants to test the Finnish market through a liaison office.

How is a liaison office known in Finland?

Representative office,
RO.

What are the key operations of a liaison office in Finland?

to develop advertising and marketing activities in Finland,
to promote foreign companies,
to create business relationships in Finland,
to explore investment opportunities, etc.

Below is an infographic with information about representative offices in Finland:

What is the status of an RO in Finland?

A communication channel between a foreign company and the local Finnish market.

Can commercial activities be developed through a RO in Finland?

No.

IMPORTANT: Once the liaison office no longer serves its purposes, the structure can be changed into a permanent establishment and develop commercial activities in Finland.

Can business contracts be signed through a liaison office in Finland?

business partnerships can be sealed,
commercial/business contracts cannot be concluded.

Where do I register a liaison office in Finland?

At the Finnish Trade Register.

You can also discover this video presentation on the subject:

What are the key conditions to set up a liaison office in Finland?

ensure a registered business address in Finland,
check and reserve the business name of the liaison office,
prepare the documentation,
present a declaration stating the incorporation of a liaison office in Finland, issued by the foreign company,
appoint a local agent (choose one of our Finnish agents), who can act as a liaison officer,
get a Finnish online banking ID or a mobile certificate to open a bank account,
appoint at least one director, etc.

NOTES:

the name of the liaison office in Finland can be the same as the foreign company,
there is no need to register the liaison office for taxation in Finland,
Form 80 is provided by the Finnish Trade Register to be completed with details about the future liaison office.

Can I hire local & foreign staff for a liaison office in Finland?

Absolutely, with Social Security.

Is a liaison office the same thing as a branch in Finland?

No. Check here what a branch entails.

Can business negotiations be developed through a liaison office in Finland?

Yes, as long as no commercial activities are carried out.

What is the time frame to open a representative office in Finland?

About 4 weeks.

Ready to explore more about how to open a representative office in Finland? You may contact our specialists in company formation in Finland and ask for a personalized offer right away.