January 05, 2026
A shareholder in a Norwegian AS (aksjeselskap) is a natural person or a legal entity that owns shares (aksjer) in the company. Shareholder status grants the right to receive dividends, vote at the general meeting and access basic company information.
Shares (aksjer) represent ownership and corporate rights in a Norwegian AS. As a rule, each share grants:
Shareholders in a Norwegian AS have, in particular, the right to:
Although shareholders do not manage the company’s day-to-day operations, their status entails certain formal and tax-related obligations.
The aksjeeierbok is an internal company register listing:
A shareholder becomes a beneficial owner if they:
Do Norwegians use the term “shares” or “equity interests”?
Legally, these are shares (aksjer), but in Polish business language the term “udziały” (equity interests) is commonly and correctly used for AS companies.
Who can be a shareholder in a Norwegian company?
A shareholder in a Norwegian AS (aksjeselskap) is a natural person or a legal entity that owns shares (aksjer) in the company. Shareholder status grants the right to receive dividends, vote at the general meeting and access basic company information.
In Norwegian terminology:
- aksje – share
- aksjonær – shareholder / partner
What are shares in an AS company?
Shares (aksjer) represent ownership and corporate rights in a Norwegian AS. As a rule, each share grants:
- the right to dividends,
- voting rights,
- the right to a share of the company’s assets upon liquidation.
The scope of these rights may be modified by the company’s articles of association (vedtekter).
Shareholders’ rights in Norway
Shareholders in a Norwegian AS have, in particular, the right to:
- participate in the general meeting (generalforsamling),
- vote on resolutions,
- receive dividends (utbytte),
- access basic information about the company,
- transfer shares (subject to certain restrictions).
Shareholders’ obligations in an AS company
Although shareholders do not manage the company’s day-to-day operations, their status entails certain formal and tax-related obligations.
Key obligations include:
- being recorded in the shareholders’ register (aksjeeierbok),
- reporting shareholdings in the RF-1086 shareholder report,
You can read more about the shareholder report here. - reporting beneficial ownership if control thresholds are met.
You can read more about the register of beneficial owners here.
Shareholders’ register (aksjeeierbok) – what is it?
The aksjeeierbok is an internal company register listing:
- all shareholders,
- the number of shares held,
- dates of acquisition and disposal.
A change of shareholder is effective only after it has been entered in this register.
Beneficial owner – when must it be reported?
A shareholder becomes a beneficial owner if they:
- directly or indirectly hold more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or
- otherwise exercise effective control over the company.
Any changes must be reported to the Register of Beneficial Owners (Register over reelle rettighetshavere).
FAQ – shares and shareholders in Norway
Do Norwegians use the term “shares” or “equity interests”?
Legally, these are shares (aksjer), but in Polish business language the term “udziały” (equity interests) is commonly and correctly used for AS companies.
Is every shareholder a beneficial owner?
No. Only shareholders who meet the control criteria (most often more than 25%).
No. Only shareholders who meet the control criteria (most often more than 25%).
Do shareholders in a Norwegian company have any obligations?
Yes. Shareholders have formal and tax obligations, even though they do not manage the company and are not liable for its obligations beyond their invested capital. In particular, they must be recorded in the shareholders’ register (aksjeeierbok), report shares, dividends and share disposals in the annual RF-1086 report, and register as beneficial owners if they exercise control (usually more than 25%).
If you wish to know more about Norwegian limited liability companies or want to check if your Norwegian company operates according to laws and regulations, schedule a meeting with one of our experts!
Yes. Shareholders have formal and tax obligations, even though they do not manage the company and are not liable for its obligations beyond their invested capital. In particular, they must be recorded in the shareholders’ register (aksjeeierbok), report shares, dividends and share disposals in the annual RF-1086 report, and register as beneficial owners if they exercise control (usually more than 25%).
If you wish to know more about Norwegian limited liability companies or want to check if your Norwegian company operates according to laws and regulations, schedule a meeting with one of our experts!
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