Start-up notification

When you start a business or an organization, you have to notify:

• the Trade Register, Register of Associations, or Register of Foundations, which are maintained by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH); and
• if necessary, the VAT register, Prepayment Register, and Employer Register, which are maintained by the Finnish Tax Administration.

File your start-up notification with the Finnish Business Information System (BIS), which is jointly maintained by the PRH and the Tax Administration. Go to the instructions, online filing service and paper forms through the menu on the left. There are separate instructions for each type of business and organization. Please note that the online filing service is only available in Finnish and in Swedish.

Associations file a start-up notification using the online service of the PRH Register of Associations (available in Finnish and in Swedish). Go to the online filing service of the Register of Associations.Open link in a new tab

If an association is filing the notification on paper, use the Y forms which are jointly provided by the PRH and the Tax Administration.

Take special care of personal identity codes and home addresses

The Trade Register is a register for public use. Anyone is entitled to obtain information about the entries made in the register. This principle of open access also applies to all notifications and enclosures filed with the Trade Register.

When you send notifications, do not include any documents that contain personal identity codes, home addresses, or other sensitive details, such as health details. Such documents may include minutes and partnership agreements.

If you file your notification using our paper forms, file the person’s identification details on a separate personal data form. Do not fill in personal identity codes or home addresses on any other notification forms.

Go to prh.fi to read more about the processing of personal data at the PRH.Open link in a new tab

Prices

Notifications to the Tax Administration are always free of charge, whereas most notifications to the Trade Register, Register of Associations and Register of Foundations are subject to a fee.

See the price list for the Trade Register at prh.fi.Open link in a new tab

See the price list for the Register of Associations at prh.fi.Open link in a new tab

See the price list for the Register of Foundations at prh.fi.Open link in a new tab

The online filing service calculates the handling fee. Pay the fee using your internet banking codes or credit card after signing the notification. The notification can be paid by someone else than the person filing the notification.

Business ID

You will be given a Business ID once your start-up notification has been added to the Business Information System (BIS). Read more about Business IDs.

How to file the notification

Limited liability companies can file a start-up notification either online or using a paper form. Read more about setting up a limited liability company online.

Private traders can also file a start-up notification online or using a paper form. Read more about setting up as a private trader.

Housing companies and mutual real estate limited companies must file their start-up notifications online. It is not possible to file the notification using a paper form.

Read more about setting up a housing company online.

Associations can file a start-up notification either online or using a paper form. Read more about starting an association.

Start-up notifications for other types of businesses and organizations can only be filed using paper forms.

Choose only online notifications at ytj.fi

These instructions do not apply to associations filing their notifications in the online service of the PRH Register of Associations. Go to the online filing service of the Register of Associations.Open link in a new tab

When filing your company’s notification in the online service at ytj.fi, you can choose that in the future, the company will only file online notifications. If you choose only online notifications, the Finnish Trade Register and the Finnish Tax Administration will not accept paper forms (Y forms) from your company.

Paper forms

You will find the forms by clicking the respective type of business or organization in the menu on the left.

Practical guidelines for setting up a business

What type of business should I choose? How can I test my business idea? How do I arrange the financing, insurances and accounting? You can get a wide range of information on how to start a business from the section for companies at Suomi.fi. Go to Suomi.fi.Open link in a new tab