"What does a shelf company cost" is one of the first questions most people ask – and at the same time one of the hardest to answer briefly, because the price picture consists of several parts that are often presented differently from provider to provider.
This article walks through what you actually pay for, what is included, and why two seemingly similar offers can end up very different in total price.
In short
The price of a shelf company normally consists of three elements: the provider's fee, share capital of at least NOK 30,000, and any public fees for later changes. Share capital is not a cost – it stays in the company. What you actually pay to save time is the fee. At Stift, a simple takeover starts at NOK 15,000, while full settlement where everything is settled at once costs NOK 38,500.
The three cost elements
1. The provider's fee
This is payment for the service itself: that someone else has incorporated and kept the company ready, prepared the documents, and carries out customer due diligence and transfer on your behalf. The fee varies most between providers, and is normally the only real basis for comparison when you are evaluating several offers.
2. Share capital
A Norwegian AS must have at least NOK 30,000 in share capital. This is not a cost in the usual sense – the money stays in the company and belongs to you as owner from the moment you take over the shares. The important question is not whether you "pay" the share capital, but how it is settled at the time of takeover – see outstanding balance below.
3. Public fees
The incorporation itself is already paid by the provider before you buy the company. What still comes on top are fees for changes you make after takeover – typically a name change and any other changes to the articles of association filed with the Register of Business Enterprises. These rates change from time to time, so check current fees with the Brønnøysund Register Centre before you build it into your budget.
What is an outstanding balance?
When a shelf company is incorporated with NOK 30,000 in share capital, part of this goes to cover the registration fee paid to the Register of Business Enterprises. What remains normally stands as an outstanding balance – an economic relationship between the company and the provider, until it is settled.
As a buyer you in practice have two choices:
- Take on responsibility for the outstanding balance, and settle it with the company at a later time, for example when a bank account is opened
- Pay the outstanding balance on takeover, so it is settled at once, and you end up with a company with no outstanding items
At Stift the registration fee is NOK 6,500, and the outstanding balance after this is NOK 23,500 of the total NOK 30,000 in share capital.
Example: pricing at Stift
| Model | Price on takeover | What is settled |
|---|---|---|
| Simple takeover | NOK 15,000 | Only Stift's fee. Outstanding balance of NOK 23,500 is assumed and settled later |
| Full settlement | NOK 38,500 | Fee and outstanding balance of NOK 23,500 settled at the same time |
Both models give you the same company, with the same share capital and organization number. The difference is whether you pay everything at once, or spread it over time. See current prices and order under order a shelf company.
What affects the price between providers?
When prices seem very different from provider to provider, it is usually due to one or more of these factors:
- Are customer due diligence and the document package included, or do these come as add-ons?
- Is the outstanding balance included in the price shown first, or does it come on top later in the process?
- How quickly is the company delivered – express delivery often has its own price with some providers
- Is the company brand new, or an older "vintage company" – an older incorporation date can in some cases cost more
- Is post-takeover assistance included, for example help with banking or VAT registration
It is therefore rarely enough to compare the first number you see in marketing. Always ask for a specified total price before you decide.
Is a shelf company more expensive than incorporating an AS yourself?
Yes, normally. If you incorporate yourself, you pay only the registration fee and share capital – that is substantially less than the fee you pay when buying a shelf company. What you pay extra for with a shelf company is not the company itself, but the time you save and the fact that the work is already done. See a full comparison of time, cost and risk in incorporate a new AS or buy a shelf company.
Costs you should plan for after takeover
Even though the company is fully registered, there are normally some costs that come after takeover:
- Name change, if you want a different company name than the one the company had before
- Any other changes to the articles of association, for example a new business address or changed purpose
- Bank costs, if the bank charges a fee for opening a business account
- Accounting and audit under the normal rules for limited companies, regardless of whether the company is newly incorporated or taken over
None of these are specific to shelf companies – the same costs would have come however you started the company.
Summary
The price of a shelf company is not a single number, but the sum of fee, share capital and any charges – where the fee is the only thing you really "pay extra" for compared with incorporating yourself. When you compare offers, look for a specified total price that shows exactly what is included, rather than comparing the first number in marketing.
Related articles
- What is a shelf company, and when is it worth it?
- Incorporate a new AS or buy a shelf company – which should you choose?
- Checklist: what to verify before you buy a shelf company
Stift gives you full visibility on price before you order
At Stift you see the fee, registration fee and any outstanding balance clearly before you order – without hidden add-ons along the way.
Wondering which payment model suits you best? Contact us and we will help you work out the numbers.
